Curio Table

This particular table matches one of the footstools that we made last season. I liked the fabric so well (black with little gold bees) that it seemed like a good idea to use the leftover fabric in making the curio table. Obviously, this is not a requirement.

Materials:

large picture frame with glass
piece of 1/4-inch plywood cut the size of the frame
two lengths of 1" x 4" basswood cut the length of the frame
two lengths of 1" x 4" basswood cut the width of the frame, less 1-1/2"
two lengths of 3/4-inch round cut the length of the frame
two length of 3/4-inch round cut the width of the frame
two-inch nails
wood glue
fabric to cover one side of the plywood
fabric to cover the sides of the box
four table legs
paint to match or coordinate with fabric
fabric to cover sides and bottom of box
flat decorative braid to go around perimeter of box
spray or brush-on paint for frame, inside of box and table legs

Notes: Large frames can usually be obtained most inexpensively at swap meets and /or yard sales. The Salvation Army, Goodwill, etc., occasionally have them for sale as well. Other than that, craft stores and art supply stores are a source. If your frame does not have the glass still intact, it will be necessary to have one cut to fit.

1" x 4" are lumber store measurements. Actual measurements are 3/4" x 3-1/2".

Steps:

1. Select a frame (figure A). Measure the outside of the back of the frame for the size of the plywood piece. Cut the plywood piece to size or have it cut to size. Drill a hole for screwing in the legs 1-1/2 inches in from each direction in each corner (figure B). If possible, use a bit that's just a fraction of an inch smaller than the screws on the legs. It will make for an even snugger fit.

2. Measure for the four sides of the box. Two pieces will be as long as the sides of the plywood piece and the two end pieces will fit inside of these so they will be as long as the width of the plywood minus the thickness of the wood side pieces.

3. Form the outside of the box by putting the four lengths of wood together, placing the end pieces inside the side pieces (figures C and D). Glue with wood glue then secure further by nailing two nails into each end.

4. Paint the inside of the box, the table legs and one side of the piece of plywood. Also paint the frame if necesssary. The frame shown on the program was a bit tacky-looking with a number of staple holes, so I spackled it with black to camouflage the holes.

5. Cut two lengths of fabric the width of the wood pieces, plus 1/2 inch and half of the distance around, plus one inch. Stitch the strips together end-to-end, taking a half inch seam at each end.

6. Press the seams open flat. Line up one of the seams at one of the corners then carefully slip the entire fabric tube over the box (figure E), lining up the second corner seam at the opposite corner. One-fourth inch of the fabric should overlap along the top and bottom edges of the wood. Fold this fabric over onto the top surface of the wood and glue in place--the wood glue will work just fine. Repeat on the opposite side.

7. Cut a piece of fabric to fit the plywood piece exactly and glue into place (figure F). Again, the wood glue, used sparingly, will work just fine. Spread it evenly over the entire surface of the wood using a light touch so it will not seep through the fabric.

8. Apply wood glue along the top edge of the box and press it into position onto the fabric-covered side of the plywood. If your fabric has an up-and-down pattern, be certain that the strip around the box is facing up!

9. Turn the box over, place a drop of glue into each hole in the plywood and screw the legs into position.

10. Cover the top edge of the box with flat decorative braid (figure G). Glue into place mitering the corners.

11. Glue the 3/4-inch rounds around the table to cover the area where the box is attached to the plywood. These corners can be cut straight off and can meet as those on the box itself (figure H), however a far more finished look can be obtained by mitering the corners (figure I).

12. Place the frame on top of the box and mark where the hinges that attach the frame to the box should be placed. Remove the frame, add hinges to the frame and attach the other side of the hinges to the box (figure J).