Transform a Vintage Sewing Bench into Shabby Chic Seating

Decoupage old advertising posters to a discarded sewing bench, and give the entire piece a shimmering pearl finish. This project resulted from an estate auction purchase of 50 cents. Using paint I picked up at a yard sale, and advertising posters I already had in my stash of craft papers, I turned this shabby sow's ear into a chic silk purse. The pearl paint for the finish was the only supply I needed to purchase to complete the project.

These instructions are for transforming an old sewing bench, but the paint and decoupage techniques can easily be modified and applied to chairs, trunks and dressers. Other poster subjects, wallpaper, scrapbook paper, children's books or wrapping paper can be substituted for the vintage advertising posters.

Things You Will Need:

Sewing bench with removable seat
Sandpaper
Rag
Off-white house paint
Paintbrush
2 advertising posters
Measuring tape
Mod Podge
Sponge brush
FolkArt metallic pearl white acrylic paint
Upholstery fabric
Scissors
Staple gun

Step 1
Lightly sand everything on the bench except for the upholstered area to roughen the surface. This will give your paint a good foundation to adhere to. Use an old rag to wipe away the sanding dust.

Step 2
Paint the bench using leftover off-white house paint. I also painted the inside storage area and the bottom of the removable seat. I did not remove the existing Naugahyde upholstery on the seat. Allow the paint to dry and add additional coats for complete coverage.

Step 3
Tear the edges of your posters, or decorative paper, to fit within the borders on each side of the bench. Lay the paper on a flat surface with the right side facing up. Tear the paper toward you. This will provide the white, torn edge on the front of the poster. My posters measured approximately 3 inches from the top, bottom and side edges of the bench.

Step 4
Apply a thin layer of Mod Podge to one side of the bench using a sponge brush. Center the poster on the bench side. Press and rub with your fingers to remove bubbles and firmly seat the poster. Continue to monitor the poster as the Mod Podge dries. Press out bubbles and press down the edges if they reappear. After the Mod Podge dries, apply another layer over the poster and bench side. Repeat on the other side of the bench with the remaining poster. Allow the Mod Podge to dry.

Step 5
Apply a coat of FolkArt metallic pearl white paint over the entire painted surface of the bench, including the posters. The pearl paint is translucent and will create a shimmering haze on the surface of the bench.

Step 6
Lay your upholstery fabric on your work surface with the wrong side facing up. Center the seat lid on the fabric with the bottom side facing up. Measure the inside lip of the seat and the depth of the seat. Cut the fabric using this measurement, plus an inch, all the way around the seat. The extra inch will give you wiggle room while attaching the fabric.

Step 7
Fold one edge of the fabric over the lip of the seat bottom and staple using a staple gun. Staple all the way across the edge. Do not staple in the corners. Fold the fabric over the opposite edge. Gently tug the fabric, but do not stretch it. Staple the fabric along this edge. Repeat on the remaining edges. Fold the corners diagonally and facing toward the center of the seat. Staple the corners. Neatly trim the excess fabric along the lip and the corners.