Easy IKEA Cabinet Makeover with shelf paper

Materials: IKEA Cabinet (no longer sold), Chevron Shelf Paper, Tape Measure or Ribbon, Scissors

Description: One of my favorite IKEA pieces in my home is this white cabinet (no longer available at IKEA) in my bedroom. Since the walls in my room are an off-white, the cabinet tends to blend in so I wanted to add something to make it POP! I decided that I would add chevron shelf paper to the back of the cabinet.

I started this project by measuring the back of the cabinet. I couldn't find my tape measure so I ended up using a piece of ribbon (also from IKEA) to measure the distance and measured the paper using the grid on the back. Before applying the paper to the back of the cabinet, I removed all of the wooden shelves.

When I started peeling the backing off of the shelf paper, I pulled too much off at once and it was a big sticky mess! After finishing the first section, I started only peeling off a small amount of the backing away from the top while smoothing the paper onto the cabinet.

I continued this process of measuring and applying the shelf paper until the entire back of the cabinet was covered.

The best part about this project? It was cheap and simple! I spent $4 on a 2-pack of shelf paper (I still have a whole roll left) and the project was complete in less than an hour.

What I love about using shelf paper on my IKEA furniture is that it's easily removable so when I get tired of chevron, I can take it off and start all over again!

See more of the IKEA cabinet with shelf paper backing.

~ Erica, Kentucky

Read More »

How to turn an Ikea computer desk into a loom stand with treadles

Materials: Ikea metal computer desk, table loom, scraps of lumber, 6 inches of 1/4 inch threaded rod, nuts, bolts, 2 zip or cable ties, scissors, paracord to tie the lamms to the treadles and the levers to the lamms, pliers, wrench, pipe cutter, 4 angle braces, drill

Description: A couple of months ago, I bought the neatest loom on Kijiji.

It's a 2 harness Leclerc table loom, with a weaving width of 20 inches.

It's a joy to weave on, but my tendons were grousing about the side levers and my back was honking at me.

I figured that there had to be a cheap and cheerful way to build a stand with treadles for it.

and VOILA!!!!! (happy dance)

I have just figured out how to do it! Wheeeeeeeee!

Here'€™s the video that I made about how to convert an Ikea computer desk into a loom stand with treadles.

Or check out my blog to see more of the loom stand with treadles .

~ Noreen Crone-Findlay

Read More »

Set of drawers hacked into a sewing box

Materials: Fabric, Ikea drawers, staple gun, saw, screws, glue gun

Description: First I disassembled the drawers. Then I used hardboard to fill in the box to the correct config.
Covered with batting and fabric to upholster. Appliquéd a design for the lid. Finished with tape and voila!

~ Lady Jojo Monsoon, Santa Clarita

Read More »

Valentine's Day wreath from Christmas ornaments

Materials: Ikea Christmas wreath, Ikea heart ornaments, wire hangers

Description: The Valentine's Day wreath is made from Christmas wreath (white/red polka dot garland and white fuzzy heart ornaments).


STEP 1
Take a wire hanger and shape it into a heart by pushing inward the hanger part of the hanger.

STEP 2
take the Ikea Christmas garland and tie with red wool to the wire in between the beads. Cut the garland to the exact length of the heart.

STEP 3
take fabric scraps about quarter inches wide and tear to strips. Wrap the top part of the hanger and secure with glue gun.

STEP 4
hang any heart ornaments (or those from Ikea) and glue on a bow.

Hang wherever it looks great! :)

See more of the Valentine's wreath.

~ Elvi, Brooklyn, NY

Read More »

Expedit sewing/crafting/cutting table

Materials: Expedit 4x2 units, Vika Amon tabletop, Ribba picture ledge

Description: This is a cutting table for craft and sewing projects. The base is two Ikea Expedit units (4x2) that I put on their sides and connected together. To connect them together I used the brackets that come with the Expedits that are meant to connect them to the wall.

Then I attached Besta 4 inch legs (10 of them total - 5 on each Expedit) to the bottom to give the table more height (so it would be closer to counter height). This allows for the right height to cut without hunching over.

The tabletop is the Vika Amon tabletop (the one that is 59 x 29.5). I covered it in a layer of quilt batting and then fabric (the padding makes it better for ironing directly on the table). The tabletop is connected to the Expedits with L brackets from the hardware store.

On the long edge of one side of the table are two Ribba picture ledges that I cut to the right size and connected (they are screwed into the Expedit). I'm using the picture ledges to keep rulers, pencils and other tools organized. The other nice thing about attaching the Ribba is that the two Expedit units connected are wider than the tabletop. The Ribba gives it extra width to that the tabletop overhangs slightly on the other side, which looks more attractive. In addition, the overhang allowed the use of L brackets to attach the tabletop to the Expedit units.

When attaching the Ribba, I aligned them flush with the Expedit in the event I rearrange my sewing room and I want to put the table against a wall (of course, in that case, I lose access to the eight cubes on that side, but it's an option this way).

~ Summer Frace, Austin, TX

Read More »

Having a crafty Christmas?

Ahh ... tinsels and carols. The season is definitely coming. And I am busy making new ornaments from IKEA JULKUL cupcake liners.

It's a first for me - making ornaments, that is. Decided not to go the store-bought route this year and so far, I am having fun.

You can check out my tutorial over at JULES.

What are you doing differently this Christmas? Or what are you crafting for the season? Let me know (or share your link with us) in the comments below. I'd love to see what you've done.

Read More »

Quilt Extension Table

Materials: Akurum 18"x22" kitchen cabinet shelf

Description: I needed a quilt extension table for my sewing machine. Being that these can be very expensive and I can be very frugal. I figured I better just Ikea hack my way through this project.

I found in the Ikea As Is department a Akurum shelf that would serve as the top, next I needed some adjustable legs (Home Depot) and a few scrap blocks of wood found in my garage.

I measured the throat of my sewing machine to cut out with my jigsaw, mounted the 3x3" blocks of wood on the underside, drill pressed the hardware mount for the legs, screwed the legs into position, and voila! Only about an hours worth of work and saved myself nearly $200. Thanks Ikea! This project was completed for $11 (shelf-$7, legs-$4)

~ Sarah

Read More »

DIY IKEA INGO Sewing Table

Materials: Ikea INGO or other dining/kitchen table with a rail under the tabletop (this tutorial is not for Ikea tables where you pick a top piece and legs separately – you need that rail underneath in order to attach the support beams that will hold your machine)

Description: Marta has a fantastic tutorial on a sewing table where your machine lies flush against the table top. It makes sewing so much easier, not to mention less aches and paints for the shoulders. ~ Jules

See the fantastic step by step tutorial on Marta's blog.

~ Marta Strzeszewski, Colorado

Read More »

Melltorp to Sewing Desk

Materials: Melltorp, Effektiv door.

Description: A sewing machine sitting on top of a desk isn't the most ergonomic or comfortable. Hands are perched in the air to reach the sewing bed, kinda like The Thriller dance. Amy's idea was to mount the Effectiv door panel below the surface of the desk and create an under table support for the Bernina. This would let the sewing bed sit flush to the desk.

Bolts were used to mount the panel so that it can be easily adjustable up and down to assure the surface was flat.

Here's how it's done:
1. Trace the outline of the sewing machine and sewing bed onto the MELLTORP table allowing slightly extra room for cords.

2. Use a jigsaw to cut it out.
3. Sand out the rough bits of the cut out with an orbital sander.
4. Mark out the holes for the bolts to mount the EFFEKTIV door below the desk.

5. Adjust the bolts up and down to make sure the sewing bed sat flush with the desk
6. Reinforce it all with nuts.

See step by step instructions & more photos of the sewing desk.

~ Amy Badskirt, Australia

Read More »

Versatile Expedit Crafting Table

Materials: Expedit (3 of the 2x2 bookcases), pine boards, pine edging, MDF board, varnish

Description:
1. Build the three Expedit units as per IKEA instructions.
2. Cut a sheet of MDF to size for the table top: (2*Expedit Width)*(1*Expedit Width)+1" all around. These proportions are important because they allow you ultimate versatility with the layout of the Expedit units once the table is complete. The extra inch is to allow a little wiggle room so that you don't damage the units when you lift the table top on and off.

3. Nail pine boards to cover the MDF.
4. Add the pine edging along the four edges.
5. Sand the table thoroughly, softening the corners on all of the edges.
6. Arrange the Expedit units as you wish (H or C shape for example.)
7. Lay the table top on.
8. Stain and varnish as desired. We chose a walnut stain and high gloss varnish.

The table top isn’t secured to the Expedit units. It has a lip underneath it that fits snugly over the units to prevent it from slipping from side-to-side, while still allowing us to rearrange the units to suit. The beauty of this design is that you can flip the table top (we plan to cover the underneath with felt so that we can use it as a gaming table when flipped), and you can rearrange the Expedit units as you please. It works perfectly well with 2, 3, or 4 units, so as your needs change, so does your table.

See more of the Expedit crafting table.

~ Lisa Healy, Ireland

Read More »

Quilters Table with storage

Materials:
2 IKEA Expedit (2 x 4) bookcases
2 sheets of plywood (3/4")
5 heavy duty casters
5 washers
5 lockwashers
leftover flooring
trim
18 - 20 L-brackets

Description:
1. Assemble the two bookcases

2. Cut the two sheets of plywood down to 6 ft (cut 2 ft off the long side). The sheets will now measure 4ft x 6 ft). Paint one side of each sheet to match/coordinate the finish of your EXPEDIT pieces. In my case, I just painted them white.

3. Mount 4 of the casters in the four corners (within 6" of the edge of the long side so that they will not interfere with the bookcases), and one in the center. The casters should be mounted on the side of the plywood that is NOT painted.

4. Position the bookcases parallel to each other but with 13 1/4" of space in between them. Position the plywood (with the casters) on top of the two bookcases. You should now have a 6" overhang on the long ends, and a 2" overhang on the short ends. Secure the the plywood and the bookcases together with L-brackets (2 on each of the short ends and 1 in the middle of the long side).

5. FOR THIS STEP ASSISTANCE IS REQUIRED !! Turn the table upright (see photo above)

6. Attach the 2nd piece of plywood (painted side down) to the top of the two bookcases, using the same measurements you used on the bottom.

7. Finish the top with the covering of your choice. I used leftover flooring for mine. In the main picture, I have attached the trim to the top but not yet to the bottom.

~ Irene Grimes

Read More »

Fabric Covered Magnet Board for Bead Organization

Materials: Spontan Magnet Board, Fabric, Mod Podge, Metal Containers, Magnets

Description: I grabbed a magnet board from IKEA to use as a way to store my beads in my craft room. I wanted it to look girly, so I covered it with pretty fabric!

I cut the fabric to slightly larger than my magnet board and then just applied Mod Podge over the fabric to adhere it to the board. I did two total coats, and let it dry for a day before putting on the second coat.

After the top was dry, I trimmed away some of the fabric from the sides and then just wrapped it around and hot glued it to the back of the board.

I hung the board on my craft room wall, and put mini-metal containers with magnets hot glued onto the back full of beads!

See more of the bead board.

~ Rebecca @ My Girlish Whims, United States

Read More »