How to Make a Baby Bed Bench

Creating the Frame

• 1

  Remove the front side of your baby crib by unscrewing the side screws.

• 2

  Remove the front spring frame hinges from the spring frame by unscrewing their screws.

• 3

  Reinforce the other three sides of the crib by screwing steel corner braces on the back joints. Place the braces into position and mark the screw locations, then remove the brace and predrill the holes. Put the braces back into position and screw them into place using a screwdriver.

• 4

  Measure the total length of the spring frame and, using a jigsaw, cut a piece of plywood to the appropriate size.

• 5

  Place the plywood over the spring frame and place two small hinge braces at the back two corners to keep the plywood in place. Set the board into position with the hinges in place. Mark the screw holes and predrill the holes. Place the hinges back into position and screw them into place, starting with the crib side, and then screw them into the plywood.

• 6

  Remove the old varnish and stain from the crib with a circular rotating sander and 120-grit sandpaper.

• 7

  Rub off any residual sawdust with a cloth diaper. Continue until the cloth diaper comes away clean when rubbed against the wood.

• 8

  Paint the desired wood stain or latex paint onto the entire frame and allow for recommended drying period. Rub off any residual stain with a cloth diaper and then add the desired layers of varnish, sanding between each layer with a rotating sander and 220-grit sandpaper.

• 9

  Polish the varnished frame with a cloth wipe and a mixture of linseed oil and vinegar.

Creating the Cushion

• 10

  Cut the fabric to 72.5 inches by 48.25 inches. Draw a 10-by-19-inch rectangle on the four corners of the fabric and cut out the rectangle. Draw all markings on the wrong side of the fabric so that they will not be seen from the outside.

• 11

  Sew the newly created edges with the right sides together, using a zigzag stitch and leaving a 1/2-inch inseam.

• 12

  Fold the fabric 1/4 inch and fold it again to form a 1-inch seam around the fabric with the wrong side facing up. Pin the elastic into the seam.

• 13

  Sew the hem all the way around the outer edge of the cover, being careful to avoid sewing over the elastic inside. Leave a 3-inch gap once you get to the end of the cover.

• 14

  Pull out 28 inches from the elastic and cut it off. Sew the edges of the remaining elastic together and sew them into the cover, finishing off the hem seam.

• 15

  Distribute the elastic and place the upholstery cover over the crib mattress. Place the crib mattress onto the plywood base.