How to Make a Leather Storage Footstool

Cut four pieces of MDF (medium density fiber board) 12 inches square. These will be the sides of the footstool. Cut two pieces of MDF 12 and 1/2 inches square. The two pieces will be the top and bottom of the footstool. Mark one as the top. Mark the other as the bottom.

Place a side board on your work surface. Mark the top edge "top", mark the left side "L" and the right side "R". Repeat for all 4 side boards. Label the first side board "1." Label the second "2," the third "3" and the fourth "4."

Apply a bead of construction adhesive along the left end of board 1. Press the glue to the right side of board 2 so that the edges are even. Nail through the outside of board 2 into the end of board 1. You should have an "L" shape. Apply adhesive along the left end of board 2. Press the glue to the right side of board 3 so that the edges are even. Nail through the outside of board 3 into the end of board 2. You should have a "U" shape. Apply adhesive to the left end of board 3 and the right end of board 1. Press board 4 into the glue on both sides. Align the corners and hail through the outside of board 4 into the ends of boards 1 and 3. You should have a cube shape.

Turn the cube top down. Apply a bead of construction adhesive around the bottom ends of boards 1 through 4. Place the bottom board in position by lining up the corners. Nail through the bottom side into the ends of each side board. Measure 2 inches in from each corner and screw a screw foot to the bottom of the cube. Install wheels now, if you want them.

Cut two pieces of 1-by-1-inch board 9 inches long. Cut two pieces 11 inches long. Place the 9-inch piece between the ends of the two 11-inch pieces. Align the edges and nail them together. Place the second 9-inch piece between the other ends of the 11-inch pieces and nail them together to form a square 11 inches on all sides. Center this on the top board. Apply adhesive to the sides of the square that are touching the MDF. Turn the lid over and screw through the MDF into the square using 1-inch screws.

Spray the outside of the cube with spray adhesive. Cut quilt batting 4 feet and 1/2 inch long and 14 1/2 inches wide. Place the batting on the work table. Start at one short end. Line up the side of the cube at the corner with the edge of the batting. The top or bottom of the cube should be facing you. Press the cube into the batting and turn the cube until all of the sides are covered.

Turn the top edge of the batting to the inside of the cube and staple. Turn the bottom edge to the underside of the cube and staple. Apply staples every 2 to 3 inches.

Spray adhesive to the top of the lid. Glue 3-inch thick foam to the top of the lid and trim with an electric knife. Cut batting 24 inches square. Place the lid foam-side down centered in the batting. Pull the batting to the underside of the lid and staple every 2 inches. Cut a 24-inch square of 4 to 5-ounce (or less) leather. Place the leather face down. Position the lid foam down and centered. Staple the leather to the underside. Staple the center of each side first and work toward the corner. Fold and tuck the corner for a crisp look. Trim off any excess leather.

Cut leather 16 inches by 50 inches. Place the leather right sides together and sew a 1/2-inch seam along the short ends. Turn the leather right side out and slide it over the cube so that equal amounts of leather can be folded and stapled to the inside and to the bottom.