Rustic Crate Makeover turns into Rustic Furniture

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Do you have an old crate sitting around?  Well, let’s put that crate to work so you can put your feet up on a rustic crate makeover.

I bought the most awesomeness crate…

and then couldn’t think of anything to do with it!

It sits empty in my craft area.  Sometimes, if I’m gathering stuff for an event I use it to transport supplies.

Then it hit me…

the perfect idea for my awesomeness crate!

It hit me 6 months ago.  I just now got around to getting the crate project done.

The rustic crate

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The seat or top

Step one of this awesomeness crate’s transformation was to make a top.  Two boards cut to length of the crate and held together with two scrap pieces.  These fit down inside the crate and will also keep the top from sliding off.

Lines were marked off in the center lengthwise and widthwise.  Then additional lines 2 1/2 inches each way.  Where the lines crossed I drilled two small holes using my favorite drill.

Whew!  It fits.

The Padding

Pillow fight!  Actually, I did grab an old pillow and had plans to use the stuffing until….

I saw all the lumps.

What a mess!

So, I tossed the lumpy stuffing and just used layers of batting.

Lots of layers of batting…

Twelve…I think.

The cover

An electric stapler and scrap fabric quickly covered the top….

and frightened little Bella!

I covered the scrap fabric with burlap…

and frightened Bella again.

Button collection

Now to play with buttons.  I have several mason jars and wood boxes full of buttons.  Some were from my mom and grandmother.  There is a tennis shoe shaped button that I remember buying for a shirt I made for my now 40 year old son.

Now, most people would search online, ask someone, or read a book on how to tuft a seat.

I didn’t.

So this is what I did.  Might be right. Might be wrong.  But it worked.

I found the longest needles I have.  Who knew darner needles were so long!

I threaded two darner needles with strong upholstery thread.  Each needle was sewn through the wood base into the top.  Remember I drilled two holes.  The ends of the thread were knotted.  Each button was double threaded through each needle and pulled tight.  Then knotted and ends cut.

The tufted top sits perfectly.

My favorite is the mixed collection of buttons.

The crate now has a purpose every day!

While I’m resting my feet on my awesomeness rustic crate makeover, check out the footstool makeover [DIY] with chalk-based paint.