nice (luggage) rack

In this past weeks 'Thrifty Thursday' I showed you my directors chair turned luggage rack.

Today, I am going to show you just how I made this happen.  I must say I am quite pleased with the outcome of my project...and it took less than 45 minutes!

Here's how I did it...




What you need:
Directors chair (picked mine up at a thrift store for less than $10)
Burlap (I got 1/4 yard and had more than enough)
Staple gun
Hot Glue
Small nails
Ribbon (optional)

What to do:
First, I took the directors chair apart.  In flipping my chair over I found that this chair was from Pier One...good quality...score!  I took the handles off and the fabric seat.  I found some two small slats to hold the seat in place...I kept those for later

Next, I made my straps.  I just used ordinary burlap that I purchased from Wal-Mart.  I measured how long the straps would need to be and added two inches (one for each side).  I needed 22", adding two inches, I cut 24" long strips.  I cut the straps 6" wide.  I then folded the straps in kind-of thirds, making them 24" long and about 3" wide.  I wanted to add some stability to the straps without doing too much work...probably not a good thing to admit!  I ironed down the folds.

I then used hot glue to secure the folds of my straps.  I started with the short ends, gluing the 'middle' fold to the bottom then repeating on the opposite side.

Next, I glued the top fold to the middle fold, going straight down the strap.  Don't mind my chipped nails...

I couldn't decide if I wanted  to add ribbon to the straps. I really liked the look of both.  So, I compromised and decided to do one with the ribbon and two without.

To add the ribbon, I simply put a line of hot glue down the middle of the front of the strap (not the side where you can see the folds)

and placed the ribbon on top.

I left a little bit hanging off both ends of the strap, to fold over and secure to the back.

Next, I stapled the straps to the slats, evenly spacing them.

My chair had some notches for the fabric to sit in, so the arms would secure it in, I placed the slat in the little notch and nailed it to the chair.

...and VOILE!  There you have it, your very own luggage rack in less than 45 minutes!