12/18

Emma’s (Super Easy) DIY Sewing Desk

Budget: $$, D.I.Y. Project, Home Decor, Office, One Day Project, Wood working
By Emma Chapman

Emma's DIY sewing desk (via abeautifulmess.com)Emma's DIY sewing desk (via abeautifulmess.com) For the past month my poor sewing machine has been just sitting on the ground in my office. I’ve set it up at the dining room table twice in this time to make a few fabric napkins and hem some of my curtains. Although this worked fine, I really wanted to make a more permanent home for my little sewing machine. I’m not someone who sews ALL the time, but I have been getting into it more and more this past year, and one of my goals for 2016 is to sew a quilt—something I’ve never done before.

DIY sewing desk (via abeautifulmess.com) DIY sewing desk (via abeautifulmess.com) DIY sewing desk (via abeautifulmess.com) DIY sewing desk (via abeautifulmess.com)So I just felt that a little sewing desk was something that I needed in my life. And one afternoon last week I finally made it happen.

SuppliesSupplies:
-two 36×20 inch boards (1 inch thick)
-three 3×20 inch boards (1 inch thick)*
-wood glue
-clamps
–four hair pin legs (28 inches tall)
-spray paint
-electric drill + wood screws
-fine sandpaper
-paint + paint brush

*As you can see, my larger boards that make up the top and bottom of the desk were already cut to the size I wanted. The three 3×20 inch boards were one long piece that I cut into my desired lengths myself, but you could also have them cut for you at the hardware store if you don’t own a power saw of any kind.

Put the desk top togetherStep One: Assemble the desk top. I used wood glue and clamps to put my desk together. Check your brand of wood glue for dry time directions.

(Please ignore my messy garage. I’m gonna get around to organizing that eventually, I swear!)

Attach legsStep Two: Clean and paint your legs. The hairpin legs I used were from my old wood pallet dining room table. When we retired that table, I removed the legs so I could use them on something else later. I didn’t really have anything in mind at the time, but hairpin legs aren’t cheap. So I knew I didn’t want to toss them. Honestly I prefer three prong hairpin legs to these two prong versions. But since I already had them, I figured I’d put them to good use anyway.

After being stored in our garage for well over a year, they had some pretty large rust spots in a few places. So I scrubbed them with a paste made from baking soda and water before I spray painted them gold for this project. If you buy your legs new, you likely won’t have to clean or paint them, but mine were getting reused. So I did.

Step Three: Attach the legs to the table top. Here’s where you will need to use a drill and wood screws. Make sure to use screws that are long enough to hold your legs securely in place, but not so long that they will stick out of your desk top.

Paint deskStep Four: Sand and paint your desk top. You may also want to seal with a semi or high gloss polyurethane. I left mine raw for now, but I may seal it later if it gets scuffy looking too quickly.

I added a 12×12 inch white lucite tray to one side of my desk for some easy, pull out storage. I already had this tray at my house, but originally it’s from West Elm (in case you’re curious).

DIY sewing desk (via abeautifulmess.com) DIY sewing desk (via abeautifulmess.com) Emma's DIY sewing desk (via abeautifulmess.com) This desk was seriously SO easy to make. It basically took me a few hours, including dry time for the wood glue and the paint. Very simple and I’m so happy with the results! Plus, since I already had the legs and the tray, the entire project only cost me about $34. Score! Thanks for letting me share. xo. Emma

Credits // Author: Emma Chapman, Photography: Janae Hardy and Emma Chapman. And in case you are curious, my rug is from Rugs USA, my sweater is from UO (last year), and the super colorful dress is vintage Neiman Marcus that I thrifted.

 

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