Materials:
old coffee table
3/4" plywood or particleboard
2-inch, 3-inch or 4-inch foam
batting and fabric
cording or decorative trim
tools (staple gun, screwdriver, electric knife)
Steps:
A. Remove the tabletop:
- Turn table upside down and notice the small wood blocks in the center of each side .
- Unscrew these wood blocks so the top will come right off. If this top measures the same dimensions as the table frame, use this piece of wood for the bench top . If not, cut a piece of plywood or particle board the exact same dimensions as the table frame.
B. Bench top and covering:
- Cut a piece of foam with an electric knife the same dimensions as the plywood or particle board. Decide how thick the foam will be on the bench (three to four inches is good).
- Cut the batting to wrap completely around the foam plus a couple of inches all the way around. Cut the fabric the same size as the batting.
- Lay the fabric wrong side up on a large table. Lay the batting on top, then the foam, and then place the wood top on top of the foam. Pull the fabric and the batting tightly around the wood and staple. Start in the center of each side and work down to the ends, stopping about three inches from them so as to make the corners. Staple the corners in little pleats for a fuller look or fold like a bed's hospital corner for a tailored look.
C. Cording:
- Use a sewing machine to make cording with matching fabric and rope or cord. Cut a long strip of fabric that will go all around the outside of the bed bench. Depending on the size cord used, add an extra inch in width. Use a zipper foot and stitch the cord inside the strip of fabric as close as possible to the cord.
- Staple the stitched cord or optional decorative cord to the outer edge of the coffee table frame all the way around. Repeat the same process for double or triple cording (a very expensive look).
Note: If you do not have a machine, attach the fabric cording by stapling very tight against the cord and do not leave any space between the staples. Or use decorative cording which requires no sewing.
D. To finish:
- Lay covered wood top upside down and place coffee table frame on top.
- Use previously removed screws to attach wood top.
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