Upholster your dresser in vintage sheets

This is a project that can be completed in an afternoon (or two afternoons if you’re painting). It’s a great way to spruce up a boring dresser. I was inspired to cover my daughter’s dresser after finally completing a quilt for her bed and wanting the furniture to match.

Before (boring):

After:

 

Directions:

Choose a piece of furniture without any engraved or textured elements. The drawer faces are curved on this piece but a contoured drawer edge would be difficult. Also, choose something with drawers that overhang the front of piece (as opposed to inset drawers).

Gather your supplies: sandpaper, large paintbrush or foam brush, mod podge, scissors and pieces of lightweight fabric large enough to generously cover the drawer faces. I used scraps of vintage sheets for a cheap and cheerful option that matches the vintage sheet quilt on the bed.
 

Remove the drawer pulls or other hardware and take the drawers out of the dresser.
 

Lightly sand your drawer faces. Four-year-old assistant is optional (and not all that helpful) (no idea why this photo is sideways)

**NOTE: if you are working with a lightweight or light background fabric (like a sheet!) and you intend to paint your dresser, paint the drawer faces at this point. I learned from my mistake--the wood grain shows through my fabric and is quite obvious against the white paint.**

Cut rectangles of fabric to the size of your drawer front plus a few extra inches on each side. You’ll trim it later.

Roll a tube of scrap paper and stuff it into the holes from the hardware. You don’t want to fill the hardware holes with glue!


Brush the entire drawer face with a thin, even coat of mod podge. (pretend those paper plugs are already in the holes in this photo--I was learning as I worked).

Pull the plugs and lay the fabric over the drawer face using your hands to smooth out any bubbles. Do not leave this task to a four year old.

I found that adding another coat of mod podge on top of the fabric led to an unpleasant, rough texture. Therefore left the fabric uncoated which means the dresser will be easy to stain and hard to clean but the fabric feels nice.

Once the front is smooth, trim the fabric so it wraps around and meets the drawer sides without bunching up. Notch the corners to remove bulk.

Spread mod podge on the back edges of the drawers and wrap the fabric around folding the corners to make them look tidy. A binder clip can help hold the fabric in place while the glue dries.

If you’re going to paint, paint the rest of the dresser and the hardware. Allow to dry.

Once the mod podge is dry on the drawers, you’ll be able to feel a dimple at the hole for the hardware. Use something pointy (scissor tip?) to poke through the fabric and replace the hardware.

Enjoy your beautiful new dresser!

Comments

[Swistle]

I can't BELIEVE how stunning that looks!!

[Amy Cluck]

Wow, Biscuit is a lucky girl! That dresser is amazing!

[v8grrl]

I did that with my daughters endtables last year. I still have yet to complete the dresser, of course

they came out really cute!
www.smartdame.blogspot.com/2008/06/olives-dresser-which-will-never.html

[nanann]

Super cute!!!

Ahhh, the ideas are brewing over here!

[Anne]

How cute is that!!! LOVE it!! I linked to your project over at Craft Gossip Sewing:
http://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-recover-an-old-dresser-with-vintage-sheets/2010/07/11/

--Anne

[Tessa]

so cute! i've been wondering how to do this to similar things (ie storage boxes?? :D)

[Timmi]

This is really cute!! I have to ask; where do you find vintage sheets or fabric? I cannot seem to find any :o(

[Dee]

I wonder how long before the mod podge starts to let go and the fabric starts coming off the drawers...Please let us know when and if that does happen. The whole effect is beautiful!

[Melissa Haworth]

Timmi,
I find all my sheets at the local thrift stores but I do think theyre becoming more scarce lately as more folks find fun projects to do with sheets.

Good luck on your search!
melissa

[Melissa Haworth]

Dee,
Good point about longevity. Im not certain but this dresser has been in use for a few months ago (I did it back in March or so) and its still in great shape. I actually think the sheets will get dirty/scuffed before the mod podge fails. It will be hard to clean scuffs off the sheets.

You might be able to seal the whole thing with acrylic spray (or lacquer?) but it wasnt worth it to me on such a quick-n-dirty project.

Melissa

[Melissa Haworth]

Anne, thanks for the link. How had I not discovered your blog before? Its great!
Melissa

[KJ]

Found you via Craft Gossip. This is really great! Well done!

[brenda]

I never would have thought of doing that. I'll have to finish by grandkids dresser when they move it their new house. Thanks for the idea.

[Alison Marie]

I am 35 and I would personally love that dresser in my bedroom if I didn't already have my grandparent's antique dresser occupying the tiny space. What a great project! (and I love the accompanying quilt - ruffles?!?!! So great!)

[mother★lode]

have you submitted this to mod podge rocks yet? if not, you should!

[SweetlyFallen]

Very Pretty!

Crystal
Twitter: http://twitter.com/SweetlyFallen
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sweetly-Fallen/135792896440519

[Mod Podge Amy]

Yay! I love it. The good news is that the cloth won't ever come off. That is why Mod Podge is so awesome!

[Ricki Duke]

Very cute idea. I wish my daughter was still living at home. I would have done this for her room. :)

[jessica gabriel]

okay. my stomach is doing flip flops! I LOVE this!!!! and the quilt!! Do you have a post about the quilt?!
[email protected]

[Melissa Haworth]

Jessica,
so glad you like the project. Here is a link to a post about the quilt. Note that the post has a link to another post also about the quilt. I love the quilt and couldnt stop talking about it in the blog ;) http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/under_construction/2010/06/ruffle-quiltthe-pattern.html

Melissa

[Elaine Canaday]

Nice job. I too was wondering if you couldn't spray some type of product that would help repel stains or dirt on the fabric. You can spray shoes why not the sheets? Will check out your blog again for more creative ideas. Elaine

[Natalie]

Very cool! I think you just gave me a good reason to keep a dresser after we're done with the nursery- hooray! Love your blog!

[Barbara Moore]

I love it! It really brightened up that piece didn't it?

Hugs XX
Barbara

[.amanda.]

I love this! very cool in deed! [and you have to lose a vintage sheet project!]

[Eddie]

What a great idea. I have a dresser that needs a little something done to in decoupage wise. I may just try with wall paper.

[Ludimilla Ferreira]

Beautiful!

[furniture wardrobes]

I really love what you have done to that dresser. It's beautiful and funky. You have transformed it in to a completely new and fancy looking dresser.

[cheap wardrobes]

It looks really adorable! What a frugal way of remodeling an old dresser! I love your idea. I will try my best to do the same too.