Shed Plan: fabric

Showing posts with label fabric. Show all posts

Monday, February 10, 2014

Ikea Rast Dresser Hack Fabric Wrapped with Custom Ring Pulls and Acrylic Casters

Over the weekend we finally finished our fabric wrapped Ikea Rast dresser!

These dressers are such an amazing price, only $35! The wood and building materials to make this yourself would be more, so buying is definitely worth it! While Rast hacks are nothing new, I couldnt help putting my own spin on it! Here are a few of my favorite fabric wrapped pieces, Centsational Girl, Hello Boudreau, and Recently.

I basically followed Martha Stewarts instructions to cover a table top with linen, heres how we did it!

First I used heavy starch to make the fabric stiff; however, it didnt work very well with this fabric, mine got much stiffer when I used a linen in my fabric wrapped parsons table. So a linen might work best for getting the fabric really stiff, though this worked fine too once it was ironed on to the wood.

I placed the Rast dresser pieces on top of the fabric, a drapery panel from Target, and cut it out with enough to wrap around to the back. (Make sure to be mindful of the pattern direction, I had to redo one drawer front ...) I brushed water based polyurethane (satin finish) and then ironed. I also placed a piece of white paper on top to protect the iron from the poly (use your craft iron, you will probably still get some on your iron ... like me :)

We ended up wrapping the pieces individually, which meant the sides the top needed to be attached first with the fabric between the top and side since the screw holes are exposed and then insert the screws, and then apply poly and iron. It would be quicker to assemble the entire outside and then wrap that verse the individual pieces, so also consider doing it that way. I dont think that it would of looked very different, but would save time :)

I decided to line the inside of the drawers with extra white fabric and trim that I had, I think it gives a more polished finish!

To seal it, I applied a few layers of poly and then a layer of Briwax clear wax on the outside of the fabric to seal and protect it, like Martha Stewarts tutorial suggested.

Before assembling the dresser, David drilled new holes to make the plate below the drawers flush instead of inset. We installed supports for casters out of extra 2x2s and followed the instructions to install the casters. We found brass and clear plastic casters from Ace Hardware, love them!! I then applied silver rub n buff to match the ring pulls.

I made my DIY ring pulls out of a cotter pin, inset washer, and 1" ring. The silver cotter pin was harder to open than the brass so I used pliers to open them instead of by hand. The cotter pin is inserted through the hole and then bent back on the inside of the drawer. (prior to applying the poly, I cut through the fabric at the existing hole with an xacto knife on both sides. I started on the back, where I could see the hole and the stuck the cotter pin through to find the other side, and then cut the front with the xacto knife) These ended up being only .96 each!! Such a good price!

How great are these clear casters? I really loved the brass with the clear, but silver works best with the fabric so I applied a little silver rub n buff.

The flowers are from a friends wedding this past weekend, love hydrangeas!

and I borrowed the acrylic tray from the driftwood herringbone table.

Cost Breakdown:

Rast Dresser: $35 (Ikea)

Fabric: $25 (Target)

Ring Pulls: $6 (Parts from Ace Hardware)

Casters: $9 (Ace Hardware)

Total $75

Not the cheapest diy, but for unique fabric and custom hardware, Ill take it!

Have you tried a Rast dresser hack or fabric wrapped furniture project yet? Im officially obsessed and cant wait to do more!!

Monday, January 27, 2014

Fabric for the Guest Room and Tips for Ordering Fabric Online

The fabric arrived yesterday so I can get started on the guest room!

fabric 1. 2. 3. 4.

We are building a headboard and the 54" fabric width is tricky with the way I want the pattern to run (solid fabrics are more diy friendly!) I think I have found a solution without it looking pieced together ...

Whenever I open fabrics that Ive ordered online I hold my breath - hoping that they look like the photo ... luckily all of these did!

but that hasnt always been the case - I fell in love with a richloom print, waited for it to get off of back order and when it arrived it didnt look quite like the photo :(

via

The photo from the website (top photo) looks vibrant with rich colors while the photo that I took looks washed out - still pretty, but not what I wanted - so I thought I would share some tips on what have helped me order online ...

1. Google the fabric and check out images of scale and color: many fabrics have photos of pillows, chairs, etc. that have been taken in a variety of lighting - a great way to get a feel for what the fabric will look like

2. For photos that include a ruler: make sure to check the scale - sometimes photos can be deceiving - the pattern can look larger or smaller than it actually is

3. Take note of the material: Becoming familiar with fabric types gives you a better idea of the weight and texture of the fabric. i.e. duck cotton will have a tight stiffer weave and medium weight - while a cotton sateen will be a finer weave, lighter weight, and smoother touch

Finally when possible, I would recommend ordering from fabric.com - they offer free shipping for orders over $35, great prices, and FREE RETURN shipping!

Stay tuned to see my solution for 54" fabric for a wider headboard (fingers crossed it works!)