DIY Quilting Frames

Learn how to build inexpensive quilting frames with this easy step-by-step guide. Complete with a cut list and instructions you can make your own quilt frames in an afternoon.

This is the last part of my little mini series on making blankets.  I first showed you how I tie blankets and then how I bind the blankets.

Today I'll share how I made my own homemade own quilting frames. Now, before we start, let me tell you that I made these about two years ago. I'm hoping I can remember well enough how I made them to give you clear instructions. Make sure to ask me if something doesn't make sense. If you are on a budget, and would like some inexpensive quilting frames, then this is for you.

DIY Quilting Frame

DIY Jewelry Organizer - How to Build Your Own

I needed a new way to hold my jewelry. I wanted a pretty display that would be functional as well. I decided to make my own.

I envisioned the front of the display to be little windows for holding earrings that, when opened, would reveal more storage space for necklaces. It turned out even better than I hoped.

Aside from the screen and hinges, I was able to make this completely from supplies and scraps that I already had. I love projects like that!

How to Build a Doll Sink and Dishwasher Cabinet

Learn how to build a doll sink and dishwasher cabinet with this easy to follow tutorial. This is a must have for all little girls who love 18" dolls. This DIY kitchen cupboard is complete with a sink and faucet, a countertop, a dishwasher and a cabinet for storage.

My middle daughter is in love with "american girl" dolls. She has several, and fortunately doesn't care that they are not the real deal. She has a house set up in the corner of her bedroom for the dolls. There is the farmhouse bed and a couch that my son made her. There is a closet she made from a cardboard box. She's gathered all sorts of things to create the doll's little living area.

Easy DIY Shelf over the Washer - Laundry Room Makeover

As I was trying to figure out what I wanted in my laundry room, I spent a bit of time on Pinterest trying to find ideas. I created a board just for laundry room ideas. Do you follow me on Pinterest? I kept coming across the idea of a shelf above the washer and dryer.

Easy DIY Shelf over the Washer

This shelf was super easy to build. I used a 1 X 10 board and 3 metal supports. I screwed the metal supports into the wall studs. Then I simply set the shelf on top. If you want it more secure you can screw the supports into the shelf as well.

I decided that I wanted the shelf to be easily removable, so I didn't screw it to the supports. After all, I may someday get a new washer and dryer.  But more realistically, I may someday need to move one or the other of them to fix something on them :)

I make sure to keep only small items on the shelf. A painted wire basket keeps dryer sheets easily accessible. An antique mason jar holds borax, which I use every time I wash a load of whites. A small twine wrapped jar collects coins and other small objects that get lost in pockets. A fun framed clothesline adds some whimsy.

On the wall, I hung a couple Precious Moment cross-stitched pictures. I recently finished the one on top. My sister made me the bottom one several years ago as a Christmas present. I repainted the frames to coordinate. I also have a couple more that I made forever ago. They are on the opposite wall and you'll see them soon.

My laundry room is coming together. Don't miss my other tips and tutorials:

How to Build  a Shelf
Paint
Shortening the Laundry Cart
DIY Drying Rack
Clothesline Craft
Before and After Pictures

How to Build a Shelf - Laundry Room Makeover

For a long time I've wanted some shelves in my laundry room. Finally I decided to just do it! I called my dad, who has built many shelves in his life to make sure I knew what I was doing. And then I went for it.

I began by cutting my pieces to the size needed and then painting them. These pieces below are part of the support of the shelf. They are called cleat supports {if I remember right}. You can use many types of wood for the cleat. There is an mdf product specifically for this purpose, however it was more costly than a 1X2 - especially since I had a couple on hand.

Since my shelves were going in the corner, I needed two pieces of the cleat support for each shelf. I held it up on the wall and stuck a level on it. Once it was level, I drew a line with a pencil along the top.

Next it was time to find the studs in the wall. It took me a few tries, but I finally got one. Once you find a stud, measure 16 inches either way and you should hit your next stud.  No big deal about the extra holes - they'll be covered up soon anyway.

I pre-drilled holes in the wood to prevent splitting. Then I attached them to the wall with 2 1/2" wood screws. They need to be long enough to go through the wood, drywall and still get a solid grip on the stud.

At this point, I painted the walls. It's much easier to paint around these small boards than the whole shelf. 

I missed a picture of the next part, but next you add the shelf. I added a bead of glue along the cleat and then set the shelving on top. Then with a nail gun, I nailed it in place.


Next I began work on the end supports. I used particle board. I drew a shape freehand that I liked. I cut out one, then traced it onto the other board so they would match. Then gave them a couple coats of paint.

I attached a piece of wood to the top with glue and a nail gun.

Then add another piece of wood to the back. You can see how I had to adjust the placement for the cleat support that was there. Glue and nail in place.

Now here's what what I think makes all the difference in giving your shelf a finished look:  Wood filler and caulk! I didn't realize that caulk now comes in a squeezable tube - no more caulk guns for me!

I filled all the nail holes with the wood filler. Along all the seams of the wood, I added caulk. You can see in the picture below, where the caulk is, it seems seamless. I also caulked between the frame and the wall.

 Once it's dry, paint over all the caulking and wood filler. It was kind of a pain since the wall and shelf are two different colors, but well worth the effort to get a finished look.

Lastly, I added a few baskets for additional sorting and some fun decorative items as well.

Don't miss the other posts in my Laundry Room Makeover:
Shortening the Laundry Cart
Another way to Build a Shelf
Paint
DIY Drying Rack
Clothesline Craft
Before and After Pictures

Learn to build a bookshelf with this easy to follow tutorial. I'll walk you through each step and you can create a bookcase of your own.

My 6 year old has been bugging me about having a bookshelf in her room for ages. All the other kids have one, so she felt left out. I finally made one for her for her birthday. That was back in July - I'm just now getting to the tutorial.

How to Build a Bookshelf

I actually built and painted it all on the 4th of July. I know... I'm not a very exciting mom, but my daughter was at her cousins for the week and that's the only day I could do it and have it be a surprise. Plus my husband was working, so other than a bbq that night we didn't have any fun plans. It makes for a long day, but you can totally finish it all in one day.

This bookshelf is a variation of my son's bookshelf.

Supplies needed for a bookshelf:

2 - 1 X 12  boards 8' long
1 - 1 X 3 board
1 sheet 1/4" backing 24" X 48"
1 1/4" screws
small finish nails
wood glue
primer
paint
measuring tape
drill
miter saw/circular saw/table saw
kreg jig
sandpaper
pencil

Bookcase cut list:

2 sides - 1 X 12 @ 33 1/2"
1  top - 1 X 12 @24"
3 shelves - 1 X 12 @ 22 1/2"
1 back - 24" X 31 1/2"
1 footer - 1 X 3 @22 1/2"

Building the bookshelf

To begin, lets start by cutting our top and sides. You can get this out of one board.

Next drill your pocket holes into the top of both of your side boards. I like to have a scrap of wafer board or something similar on the bottom of the jig so that my clamp doesn't dent up the wood.  I like to do four holes, two at each end.

Next attach the top to the sides using a little wood glue and screws. It helps to have a extra pair of hands to help.

This is what it should look like so far.

Next cut your shelves out of your other 1 X 12. Then drill holes on both ends of each board.

Then start screwing them in place adding a little wood glue to the ends of the shelves. If my measurements are correct there should be 9 1/2" between each shelf. I basically measured, drew a line and then placed the shelf on the line.  I started with the bottom, then I did the top shelf and then the middle. The spaces between each of the shelves didn't end up exactly the same, but they are straight so I guess that's good enough :)

Now it's time to add the footer. You'll want to measure your bookshelf. It might be a little different than the cut list measurement. Mine was slightly longer and I had to cut another. Add two pocket holes to each end. Add a little wood glue and screw in place.

Now all we need is to add the back. Just cut it to length. I like to leave the space under the bottom shelf open in the back. So if you're wondering why it doesn't cover all the way to the bottom that is why.  I decided to paint first then attach the back after. It just makes painting a little easier.

I painted the back white for a little contrast. And of course it had to be pink for my princess.

Does this look like something you could tackle? What color would you paint yours? Or would you stain it?