Here are simple instructions on how to make an obelisk for planter. Your flower pots will look like they stepped right out of an English garden.
Learn how to construct a decorative obelisk for planters in your garden. This project will enable you to create unique yard or garden decorations for weddings, anniversaries, birthdays or holidays.
I know these look like embroidery hoops. You open and close them and add a piece of needlework and then tighten them back up.
I’ve used a few of them back in my cross-stitch days.
But today?
They are something SO MUCH MORE.
These embroidery hoops are the inspiration behind one of my favorite projects I’ve ever made.
I used them to make an obelisk. I’ve wanted obelisks in the flower urns in the front of the house forever, but they were either too expensive or too big. So I used these hoops to create my own.
And now?
My front flower urns look like something straight out of Downton Abbey.
WAIT UNTIL YOU SEE THEM.
Here they are and here are my very best instructions on how to make an obelisk for planter.
Don’t they look fancy?
I’ve been wanting to put something in these pots that will help give my Mandevilla something to grow on.
The base of the embroidery hoop is the perfect size for the bottom of the plant.
Here’s a close-up where I wound the tendrils of the plant around the top.
If you are looking for a plant that will bloom all summer?
These Mandevilla’s are your new best flower friend. They’re super low maintenance and like direct sunlight (although we have four on the porch that are doing really well, too). As long as you water them every day they will bloom like this all summer.
We actually make two of them.
One for the urn on either side of the walkway.
And the best part? They cost about $15 to make.
Here are the step-by-step instructions on how to make an obelisk for planter.
How To Make An Obelisk For Planter
supplies:
1 large embroidery hoop
1 medium-size embroidery hoop
2 pieces of 8′ 1″ panel molding
6″ of 1″ x 2″ pine wood
wood knob
black spray paint
Step 1: pull the hoops apart
Pull the hoops apart so you have two.
You will be using both sides of the larger hoop and one side of the medium size hoop.
Step 2: Cut the 8′ panel board
Cut the 8′ panel board into 30″ pieces.
You will need 4 30″ pieces for the sides of the obelisk.
Step 3: Nail the panel board to the hoop
Measure four equidistant spots on the embroidery hoop around the perimeter (mark the spots at 12, 3, 6, 9 like on a clock).
Next, nail each of the 30″ pieces where you have marked on the embroidery hoop.
Step 4: Nail the panel board to the second hoop
Measure four equidistant spots on the next embroidery hoop around the perimeter (mark the spots at 12, 3, 6, 9 like on a clock).
Next, nail each of the 30″ pieces where you have marked on the second embroidery hoop.
Step 5: Nail the panel board to the third hoop to make an obelisk for planter
Measure four equidistant spots on the medium-sized embroidery hoop around the perimeter (mark the spots at 12, 3, 6, 9 like on a clock).
Next, nail each of the 30″ pieces where you have marked on the medium-sized embroidery hoop.
When you are finished, your ends will look like this.
Step 6: Make the top
Here are the supplies you’ll need for the top:
- four pieces of 4″ panel board
- one wood knob
- one piece of 1″x 1″ x 1″ wood
- one piece of 3 1/2″ by 3 1/2″ by 3 1/2″
Start by drilling a hole for the wood knob and attach it to the 1″x 1″ x 1″ wood.
You could also just glue it with wood glue.
The last step in how to make an obelisk is to nail the 4″ molding strips to the ends of the 30″ panel strips.
Next, nail the larger wood board 6″ from the top.
Attach each of the molding strips to the sides.
Lastly, attach the small piece of wood with the knob to the very end of the molding strips.
Then spray paint your finished obelisk and let dry.
I added the obelisks to the two urns on the front sidewalk.
To add them to a flower pot, I gathered all the flowers together and put the obelisk down over the top. Then I pulled out flowers in between the openings and wrapped the tendrils around the edges of the frame. The obelisk is really lightweight, but the flowers hold it in place.
We made each obelisk for under $15.
I hope you had fun today creating with me and learning how to make obelisks for planters.
I hope your garden is green and your flowers are blooming.
And I hope your day is full of sunshine.
You are amazing, friend.
Truly.
Love these! Small enough to use in urns and so adorable! Already have the parts. Thanks for the idea-you are amazing!
These are gorgeous!! Your ingenuity and artistic vision never ceases to amaze me!! Your front porch looks stunning and so inviting!! Hope you and your sweet family are all doing well! Happy Friday!!
Gorgeous! I have made ones that are round and painted them black for my planters and love them. Love the height on these! Thanks for always inspiring!!❤️
Your imagination has no limits. They look professional.
These are beautiful! You are a genius!
You are so clever and those are so cute! I love that you painted them black too. Pinned
You are a genius! I have used embroidery hoops for years but never this way. They are so cool - just like you. Enjoy the summer weather.
Such a great idea! Thank you!
What a great DIY!!! The Mandevilla’s are looking happy 💜
You amaze me. Thieve are so dang pretty.
Oh, what a gorgeous oblesk! And, soon as I hit the craft store and hardware, I have one for myself! Thank you for the directions!
Thanks for sharing this It’s beautiful and I’ve been looking for something for my apartment balcony I think I have found it Enjoy this beautiful summer weather It’s finally warm in Northern Indiana I’m sure it’s hot in Texas!
Brilliant! I was just showing some obelisk plans to my hubby for our tomato plants! Love the look!❤️
OMG!! These are just to darn smart and cute at the same time. I too have looked at them before and they were too pricy, too flimsy or just not the right size. How clever you are to figure how to make them!! That’s why you’re the rock star 🤩
What a great project. So cute and so replicatable. I hope you and your family are staying safe and well. Hugs, Cynthia
I love this idea for an obelisk, been looking for some ideas for making one and here it is, thank you so much and have a great weekend.
Ahhhh love this! Thanks for sharing!
Huh. Embroidery hoops! Who wuda thunk it....lol! Well.done, Miz karianne.
WOW!!! What an awesome DIY!!!! I also love that they bring yet another element of black in your 'scape - just plays so well with everything else. Well done, KA!! Have a happy healthy weekend.
LOVE!! ❤️
What a great project!! Obelisks are very pricey if you buy them at a nursery, plus they have a tendency to rust. These are great... You're a GENIUS!!
Genius! There beautiful
GENIUS!!!
You are one smart girl! I have pink mandevilla and pink and white vincas growing. I also wanted an obelesk and almost used an old black tiered metal basket thing. Your idea is much better. We also have the same urns! Love you.
These are seriously gorgeous Karianne!!!
Wow, wow, WOW!! Seven Hundred One never looked better!!! xoxo
Oh my goodness! This is such a clever way to use hoops! I really like the size - so many I have found just do not fit small/medium pots well.
It is so much easy to follow your video and write up. A very useful one to do with things you have at home. There are expensive pieces to buy from the store. I was planning to search online but I think I will try to do one myself using your steps.