How to Weave a New Top for a Footstool

Choose Stool

When you're cruising the thrift store, look for a sturdy bench or stool with a removable seat. Flip it upside down to check for accessible screws or other types of fasteners. Keep in mind, it doesn't require a flawless finish. If you're on a tight budget, go for the piece that needs a little TLC but is otherwise structurally sound. You can always refinish or paint problem areas.

Remove Seat

Flip the stool or bench upside down. Use a screwdriver to remove all the hardware, and gently lift away the seat cushion or wood top.

Getting Started

Begin by stapling the end of a strap to the underside of a leg. Wrap that nylon strap up the leg, across the seat and then down the opposite leg. Staple it at the edge of the seat and the bottom of the leg, then cut the strap. Always staple along the underside or where you can easily conceal it later with another nylon strap.

Add More Straps

Continue adding straps across the width of the seat, securing them with staples along the inside of the frame whenever possible (Image 1). Before cutting, make sure each strap has enough length to reach across the seat and wrap around the underside of the frame. As you work your way across the piece to secure the straps, trim excess nylon as neatly as possible (Image 2).

Prevent Fraying

As you work, use a lighter or match to slightly melt each end of the nylon straps to keep them from fraying or unraveling over time.

Change Direction

Use the same method to secure the straps in the other direction. Fasten one end to the bottom of the leg, run it over the seat and down the opposite leg. Secure with staples along the edge of the seat and underside of the opposite leg.

Weave Straps

After you secure your strap to one side, weave it through the existing straps. You can do a basic basketweave or get a little more creative. Before you secure the strap on the other side, play around a little with your weaving to see what pattern you prefer.

Get Creative

As you get more comfortable with the weaving process, decide on a pattern and make it happen. We went with a herringbone pattern that also created a cool diagonal stripe.

Secure Ends

When you finish weaving the nylon, secure the loose ends with staples and then trim excess material.

Cover Staples

To hide the rows of staples along the front and back edges, run a strap horizontally. Wrap each corner, then secure with one staple.

Finish Edges

Run the last two nylon straps along the sides to hide any remaining visible staples, then secure with hot glue (Image 1). Your on-trend, totally affordable thrift-store flip is complete (Image 2).