DIY Footstool Idea Using Grain Sack Fabric

A DIY footstool idea using diy grain sack fabric that will add the perfect amount of vintage farmhouse style to your home!

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DIY footstool idea

This footstool caught my eye during one of our recent thrifting trips. Our local customers love little pieces like this that they can use to decorate their homes in a vintage farmhouse style. Plus, these little footstools are handy to have around!

So I brought it home and gathered my supplies. Did I mention that the footstool was only $5?? We love deals like that, don’t we?

Also, I had most of the other supplies on hand. See the beautiful blue toile fabric in the image below? It was leftover from another project we did for Miss Mustard Seed’s Milk Paint blog and YouTube channel.

Let’s go over the supplies you will need for this DIY footstool idea using DIY grain sack fabric.

Yes, yes, I just said DIY grain sack fabric! The blue in the toile fabric that is so beautiful didn’t match the paint color I chose. So plan B was put into action. You will see the full video tutorial linked later in this post.

list of supplies:

Use the links below to purchase some of the supplies for this project! You are helping to support this blog and all the free tutorials we offer here! Thanks so much!😊

• thrifted footstool
• a scrap of canvas fabric (or heavy dropcloth)
• upholstery staple remover
• spring-loaded needle-nose pliers
• pneumatic staple gun (or regular staple gun)
• air compressor
• staples
• fabric scissors
• painters tape
• milk paint in the desired color (I used Flow Blue)
• white wax
• wax puck
• paintbrush
• sanding pads
• #0000 steel wool pad

how do you make an upholstered footstool?

The footstool I am using to show this DIY footstool idea is the perfect example of how to make an upholstered footstool. Let me explain.

Once I removed all of the upholstery staples, the top of this little footstool was revealed. It didn’t start its life as an upholstered footstool. It started its life as a cute painted footstool!

It was easy for someone to add a thin piece of foam and fabric to turn this into an upholstered footstool. You’ll see how I upholstered it farther down in this post.

how to use milk paint on wood

Judging from the stenciled design on the top of this footstool, it had been made during the 80s-90s craft fair days. Most likely, this little footstool was made in multiples to be sold by a vendor at a craft fair.

If you look closely, you can see the pieces that were cut to build this footstool. Here are the measurements of this one in case you want to replicate it. You just might have enough scrap wood in your workshop to make one!

Using milk paint to paint wood is so easy and a small project like this DIY footstool idea is the perfect piece to practice on.

The paint is mixed in a one-to-one ratio. Read the post below to see how I mix Miss Mustard Seed’s Milk Paint. Just click the button to head over to the post. The post also includes a YouTube video!

The milk paint will need some time to set up and absorb into the water. This is the perfect time to prep this little footstool for the paint. You can use a chunk of beeswax on the areas you want a chippy finish. Simply rub the areas that you want to chip. The beeswax creates a resist and the paint won’t stick in those areas.

Next, apply two coats of paint. Allow time to dry between coats.

how to create a chippy paint look

Milk paint has a mind of its own as far as chipping is concerned. This adorable footstool didn’t have a sealer on it so I knew that the milk paint would soak into the wood just like a stain would.

That’s why I used the beeswax in the areas I wanted it to chip. The next step is to use a knife blade (one that is NOT used in the kitchen!) to scrape off the areas where the beeswax was applied.

Once that step is finished, use a fine-grade sanding sponge to smooth the paint’s surface. Use a shop vac to clean up the dust and paint chips.

white wax over milk paint

The Flow Blue Milk Paint color I used on this sweet footstool was lovely but I wanted to add a textural look to the painted base. Miss Mustard Seed’s White Wax is easy to use and created just the look I wanted.

White wax is easy to apply: use a chip brush to brush it on the dry milk paint, remove the excess, and buff with a piece of #0000 steel wool. Both the chip brush and the steel wool can be tossed in the trash when you are finished!

what fabric is best for a footstool?

Remember that pretty toile fabric I showed at the beginning of this post? The color didn’t match well enough for my liking so I decided to go another route and create my own grain sack striped fabric for the DIY footstool idea.

Using some scraps of heavy canvas fabric leftover from previous projects, I created my own grain sack stripe for this DIY footstool. Watch the YouTube video to see exactly how I did this – it’s so easy and fun to make!

how do you attach fabric to a footstool

The video will also show you the easy steps to recover this footstool. In the video, I will take you step-by-step through the process!

YouTube video

ottoman or footstool?

She’s a cutie, don’t you think? It will be the perfect spot to rest my feet at the end of the day!

While working on this project, I wondered what the difference between an ottoman and a footstool was. Some people online have used the terms interchangeably but after some research, I found out what each one is:

footstool for a chair

What do you think of this sweet little DIY footstool idea? If you come across one while out thrifting or decide to make one, tag me on the socials – I would love to see it!

more inspiring posts!

Here are a few more posts using reproduction and DIY grain sack fabric that will inspire you! Click the image to see the post!

Pin the image below to your home decor and furniture boards! Just click the pin button at the top left corner!

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