Woodworking is such a great skill to have and scroll saw is one of the most pleasurable woodworking projects you can do. Aside from being inexpensive, having a scroll saw inside your workshop could also prove quite useful.

The saw allows you to cut different scroll saw patterns and shapes on the wood. While the work may seem complex, you’d be surprised to know just how simple the technique is. If you have a knack for crafting and designing, then woodworking with scroll saw is the right project for you.

You can create several items using only your hands. From simple, meek and elegant designs to complex patterns, scroll saw enables the artist to express his creativity in the neatest way possible – through precise wood-cutting.

In the second part of this post, we listed some of the most elaborate wooden scroll saw projects for you to choose from. But before we go to the list, let us first learn how to determine the best material for your project. This knowledge will save you time and effort along the way.

Top 35 Scroll Saw Projects That Sell: Free, Fun and Easy

I. The Best Wood Types of for Scroll Saw Projects

1. Cherry

Hardwoods, reddish brown are what characterize cherry trees. Its sapwood in minimal amounts has light reddish-yellowish color. Cherry wood has an even grain, which makes it easy and smooth to cut and perfect to detailed projects.

While it gives less strength for heavy items, most woodworkers love cherry because it is rich and vibrant in hue.

2. Walnut

The black walnut heartwood differs from a color spectrum between purplish and brown. Its sapwood is nearly white and features an even or straight grain. Such trees often provide burls with unique, round, grain patterns.

The walnut tree is found in North America and essentially, the only black hardwood tree in the region. Lastly, when you consider using walnut, think about the high contrasting colors between sapwood and heartwood.

3. Maple

In North America, one can easily find maple as it is the most common hardwoods in the continent. It is often lighter in hue compared to walnut and cherry. Maple can be quite inexpensive compared to numerous other hardwoods, which makes it one of the common choices of wood for scroll saw projects.

Frequently, maple sapwood has a white and clean appearance along with a straight grain. It is often found with a fiddly or curly pattern, making the finishing a bit tricky to do.

Soft ones are easy to cut through, and will not dull your scroll saw blade.

4. Birch

Yellow birch is most likely the most common birch variety in the west. The tree contains little sapwood while its heartwood has a milky, white hue along with a curly grain.

When it comes to its work ability, hardness and sometimes color, birch tree is similar to maple. And, like maple, the wood’s curly grain absorbs stain irregularly. Numerous maple trees have a comparable light color and frequently confused for birch.

5. Ash

Ash is a strong, light hardwood. Woodworkers know ash to be unforgiving on blades, with its hardness comparable to oak and birch.

Ash wood has an exceptional grain pattern, appearing too busy for art pieces with numerous complex details. Ensure that you create grain patterns that show up when you choose ash.

The heartwood of ash tends to contain darker, brown portions and lighter sapwood, which produces a higher contrast appearance just like that of maple wood.

6. Hickory

Hickory is inexpensive and plentiful at the same time and has a great strength-to-weight ratio. It is, by far, the strongest of hardwoods in this list, which makes the wood hard to cut. Also, the wood is infamous for wearing out scroll saw blades.

Hickory has paler sapwood while its heartwood appears to be darker in hue. Hickory can look great and elegant under nearly any lighting situation. It also stains extremely well.

II. List of Scroll Saw Projects that Sell

1. Oregon State Shaped Puzzle 

Oregon State Shaped Puzzle by Arpop

For all Oregonians out there, this puzzling pattern of Oregon will be a perfect fit in your home. Hang this next to your state flag at home, put it with your children’s toys, or make use of it as decoration for state fairs. Paint it yellow and blue for an extra hint of hue.

2. Scrolly Scalloped Mirror 

Scrolly Scalloped Mirror by Real?ity D?aydream

You can use a do-it-yourself Scrolly Mirror as a starburst mirror or a centerpiece! A Scrolly Mirror is quite exciting to create; it is cheap and simple too! It is only an MDF slab and a low-cost mirror attached on it! You can hanging it on your wall and display it as your dining area’s centerpiece.

3. A Wooden Toy Volkswagen Beetle 

A Wooden Toy Volkswagen Beetle by Jolien Brebels

The tiny, cute Volkswagen Beetle is the most popular and iconic vehicle model of all time. Make a scroll saw out of this based on the 2nd-generation Beetles built around 1957 to 1967, making this tiny piece fashionable and elegant at the same time. This piece is freestanding and pleasing to the eyes.

4. D-I-Y Botanical Leaf Trivets 

Botanical Leaf Trivets by Reality Daydream

From a scroll saw and cutting board, you can make a D-I-Y Botanical Leaf Trivet.

You can cut Botanical Trivets from cheap bamboo cutting boards. They are also so fun to make! The tutorial takes in the scroll saw patterns, too, for free.

Make your own wooden nativity scene with this creative scroll saw project. You can also create a wooden nativity scene using this scroll saw project.

5. A Noah's Ark Model 

A Noah's Ark Model by Braniac

The Noah’s Ark is an adorable and compact piece of art. It is perfect for events and parties all through the holidays, but you can make use of it all year-round!

To save on money, you can get dabs across the numerous colors by buying cheap acrylic paint pots. Ensure that you seal as well as prime your wood whenever acrylic is used.

6. Butcherblock Silverware-themed Trivet 

Butcherblock Silverware-themed Trivet by Reality Daydream

You can make this butcher block utensil-themed that you could give to a loved one. This is a tricky but fun activity to make and makes for a perfect gift for anyone who loves food. It is quite easy to create and features a unique design.

7. Patterned Wood Crosses 

Patterned Wood Crosses by Arpop

This piece of art features an elegant running scroll pattern surrounding the border. Put it in your room as a highlight, by staining the border with a darker shade, or you can use a different wood type.

8. Personalized Wooden Name Plaques 

Personalized Wooden Name Plaques by Reality Daydreams

Wooden name plaques or plates are ideal for a nursery or your children’s room. It would also look amazing on the wall using the last name of the family. Customized wooden name plaques created using scroll saws are perfect presents.

9. Layered Cross With Smoothed Design 

Layered Cross With Smoothed Design by Arpop

This simple yet consistent design makes it quite exceptional among others and likely easier for those who are just starting. Due to its minimalist visual, think about creating mini versions of it and wear those on your neck, or you could also attach them to presents.

Moreover, contrasting dual brown shades contribute to the aesthetic of this piece of craft, so think about taking a wood stain pot.

10. Wooden Topography Map Art 

Wooden Topography Map Art by Reality Daydream

A wooden topography map made out of your property would be great! This art is as personalized and customized as anything could ever be! It is the actual topography or structure of a property. You can create one of these too, out of your own property.

11. Elaborate Fretwork Crosses 

Elaborate Fretwork Crosses by Scroll?saw W?oodworking & Crafts

This exquisitely detailed cross features a vintage touch. It recalls eras of the past, but is also quite applicable for this century. Tiny versions of these would make excellent holiday decorations, and permanent decors.

12. Circle Monogram Pallet Sign

Circle Monogram Pallet Sign by Reality Daydream

If you wish to have a cute porch or patio, create Circle Monogram Pallet Signs for outdoors (as well as indoors). Circle monograms are exciting to create and are easy when it comes to D-I-Y’s. This would be a superb gift for someone who has everything.

13. Peppy Labeled Cross 

Peppy Labeled Cross by Arp?op?

You can make this rather less solemn and a lot cheerful-looking version of the Christian cross. Cut out relevant labels in a lively font all through these crosses. Also, think about the various shades of stains and woods you could make use of to create these exquisite pieces of art.

You can place them against any complementing setting of sky blue.

14. Cut-out Butterfly Clock 

Cut-out Butterfly Clock by Reality Daydream

You can make these butterfly cutout clock, where they appear like actual butterflies soaring out of the clock.

This piece of art is artsier than your typical clock. However, you will adore its oddness. Also, it is way too cheap compared to those sold at shops.

15. Basket from Concentric Rings 

Basket from Concentric Rings by The Kim Six Fix

This wooden basket features gorgeous weaving pattern where it showcases that chic tropical hint. Pt a few apples and different fruits in it and it would pass as a unique centerpiece for the summer.

This project may look intricate, but the angles of the cuts make it pretty forgiving and fit for beginners.

16. Barn Board Bracket-shaped Plaque 

Barn Board Bracket-shaped Plaque by Reality Daydream

You can create this barn board sign with a bracket shape with brand new scroll saw and boards. Sometimes, designed barn boards are made as gifts to weddings and other special occasions. They’re a bit cheaper than your typical gift.

17. Picnic Basket Patterns 

Picnic Basket Patterns by Scrollshaw Workshop

You can create a classic picnic basket out of wood, and a scroll saw. I use wood because I find that the result is stronger and harder. If you happen to use these baskets for food storage, I highly suggest that you steal it with a finish that’s food safe – for instance, carnauba wax.

18. Wooden State Plaques 

Make Wooden State Plaques with a scroll saw. Start with states such as Mississippi; it’s a little bit simple compared to others. But if you’re skilled enough, try Illinois; it has an excellent amount of curves, which could be hard for you but a worth try.

19. A woven picnic basket 

A woven picnic basket made of oak by 2 Hands Maximum Effort WoodWorks

This basket features a stimulating picnic weaving pattern that stands out, as a result of the variance wherein the weaves become prominent, as well as the way these weaves wind around the tiny basket holes. Make the basket protrude even more by utilizing contrasting wood stains to emphasize the basket’s bottom and top borders.

20. Mother’s Day Plaque

Make an elegant, customized Mother's Day Plaque for your mom using words that best describe her or what she means to you.

Plan this before the date comes. Mothers would love anything done just for them. Personalize the plaque using words that make your mom happy and emotional at the same time. Trust me; she would love this gift.

21. Wooden Christmas Tree Decorations 

Wooden Christmas Tree Decorations by Paul Sellers

Have you ever thought about adorning your Christmas Tree with tinier versions of your tree? Create four miniature projects with silhouettes of different festive items created and carved out of the shapes of your Christmas Tree.

Punch out holes to the top portion of the tree-shaped items, letting you hang them easily and effortlessly off your huge Christmas Tree.

22. Children’s Profile Plaque 

Children’s Profile Plaque by Realistic Daydream

Create a wooden plaque using the profile of your child as wood cut out. It is quite easy.

If you’re a parent and have little kids, then this is an exciting way to show and display their shapes and silhouettes. This would be so cute and your child would love this as he or she ages.

23. Christmas-Themed Pattern with Ribbons 

Christmas-Themed Pattern with Ribbons by Lora? S. Ir?ish

These holidays, Christmas-themed patterns are another elegant bunch of ornamental pieces of art to improve your home. These woodwork decors complement ribbon bows, which makes them the ideal fit for putting together all sorts of holiday presents.

Make more of these beautiful designs with mini clocks along with these crafts.

24. Ornate Corbels 

Ornate Corbels by Reality Daydream

Make your ornate corbels with a scroll saw. Corbels were a bit time-consuming to create but would be very, very costly to buy. If you have a breakfast bar, they will bring a lot of character to your space. Personalize yours to appear something you like.

25. Christmas Greetings Pattern 

Christmas Greetings Pattern by Arpop

A Christmas bauble silhouette, with a Christmas greeting cut out, is an excellent piece of art to put on top of colored paper within a picture frame. Also, try to reverse these cutouts to give way to various ornaments on your Christmas tree.

For this, select a few popular boards, which are solid but perfect wood for beginners who do scrolling.

26. Broken ‘House Divided’ Sports Sign 

Broken ‘House Divided’ Sports Sign by Reality Daydream

“House Divided” wall art is an excellent addition to your home. Make one that looks like it’s broken. This project requires a steady hand for the complicated painting part aside from your scroll-sawing skills. The result would be an awesome piece you can show off to your folks.

27. Dove Patterns with Colored Ribbons 

Dove Patterns with Colored Ribbons by Tom Zieg

Dove crafts can serve as fitting Christmas ornaments, yet are made more because they are a symbol of cancer support and awareness. Since doves are a symbol of peace, you could leave out the ribbons to give way to other ornaments that promote and support peace.

28. Wooden Paper Doll

Wooden Paper Doll by Reality Daydream

If you have girls (or boys), then these wooden paper dolls are a great gift for them. Children love playing with anything including wooden paper dolls. You can also make several of its clothing item to match the paper dolls. It is also excellent for car rides since Velcro secures everything.

29. Monogrammed Circular Designs 

Scroll-Friendly Monogram Patterns by Kaylee Schofield

When made in a curvy font and put in the ovals’ borders, minimalist and simplistic monograms are an excellent addition to different crafts. Hang them on your kids’ rooms where it spells out their names, create ones into magnets for your refrigerator, or affix them on the book covers of your current read.

30. Wooden Monogram Wreath 

Wooden Monogram Wreath by Reality Daydream

You can make wreaths of different themes or seasons (fall, winter, summer, etc.); you can also make one with snowflakes or spider webs. However, the wonderful thing about this is that you can make it easier or as in-depth as you like.

31. Fun Puzzle-Pattern Names 

Fun Puzzle-Pattern Names by Just Build Stuff

Puzzle-patterned names can be quite difficult to make because they are highly personalized, wherein you should find perfect printouts and guide. But the project provides detailed instructions in making the diy wood crafts. The scroll saw craft features an exciting puzzle design that would dazzle your folks.

32. DIY Keychains made from Wooden Hearts 

DIY Keychains made from Wooden Hearts by Ashley

Key chains with names can be a staple of your children’s bags; it is also a simple way to customize their backpacks and may aid with ID-ing them if the item is lost. There are several key chain designs for your children using just a scroll saw wood, a key chain link, and a key chain ring.

33. Floral and Peppy

Floral and Peppy by Jaime Costiglio

The jolly, scroll saw name plaque 3D cutouts along with lively and vibrant paint makes the craft come to life. Add several cartoon-designed cutouts of leaves and flowers to perfect the look of any children’s bedroom or playroom. For that striking and attention-grabbing effect, try using thick materials.

34. MiniPlane with Clock 

MiniPlane with Clock by Arpop

Border a mini clock with an airplane cutout to make it an exceptional fit to anyone who loves airplanes. It aims for a great personalized present or just a deft addition to your wall or any other area in your bedroom.

Choose a stylish, beautiful mini clock insert that shows Roman numerals as well as a slender gold-colored border.

35. Mini Windmill with Clock 

Mini Windmill with Clock by Arpop

Create vintage Dutch windmill woodwork that comes with a mini clock at the center of the craft. Use mahogany or liven it up by painting its blades with white and its body with a baby blue hue.

III. Other Considerations for your Wooden Scroll Saw Project

1. Wood Thickness

While scroll saw can cut up to two inches of wood, the perfect thickness is around 0.25 inch to 0.75 inches. You will be making intricate and tight curves and turn, which means that thicker wood can be harder to cut.

If you are thinking about cutting wood more than an inch thick, consider buying a new band saw. While it cannot do exactly the intricacy level you’re aiming; it is made to cut thick wood easily.

2. Dull Blades

One quick way to get irritated when using scroll saws is to use one with a dull blade. And whether it’s hard or soft wood, cutting wood using a dull blade will take in more effort with also dull result.

Make certain that you pick the top-performing scroll saw blade for your wood and project. Do not attempt to leg it out using your old blade. You will wind up paying for it even more by those irritating moments and a “hideous” result.

Conclusion

There various wood types and or woodworking saws types available for you to use in your woodworking project. Picking the best one is always a plausible thing. Use the information on the different types of wood when selecting the top-performing wood for your scroll saw project.

The mix of grain structure, hardness, appearance is crucial because each factor relates to your project’s suitability. Do not hesitate to try out more to learn what works and what doesn’t for your scroll saw project. You will soon discover that the more you engage in this project, the better you will become.

Are you having lots of ideas already? I do wish you feel confident and inspired to make use of your scroll saw and make your own. Have fun!

Further reading:  

• Bed Frame Ideas