Turn an inexpensive plant stand from IKEA into a sweet DIY shag footstool with this fun tutorial! I’ve teamed up with Bucilla today to show you how to use their Bucilla RyaTie™ tool kit and some pretty yarn to create fabulous home decor projects that exude a cozy, retro vibe. This black and white striped shag footstool is as easy as can be to make, and it’s a fun IKEA hack idea to add a touch of style to your decor without breaking the bank. Let’s get started!
I’ve partnered with Plaid and Bucilla to bring today’s post to you. All opinions are entirely my own.
Black and White Striped Shag Footstool Supplies
- Bucilla RyaTie Mesh Fabric – 24×30″
- Permanent Marker
- IKEA VILDAPEL Plant Stand
- Shears
- Bucilla RyaTie Tool Kit
- Red Heart Super Saver Yarn from Walmart – One Skein Each of Black and White
- Staple Gun
- FolkArt Metallic Acrylic Paint – Antique Gold
- Paint Brush
Unfold the RyaTie fabric and press it flat by hand. Place the fabric onto a protected surface. Place the assembled plant stand on its top on a corner of the fabric, placing the stand so it is at least 2 inches from the outer edges of the piece. Trace around the top of the stand onto the mesh fabric using a permanent marker. Trim away the excess RyaTie fabric leaving at least 3″ of border around the perimeter of the circle, reserving the extra for another project.
Fold the piece into quarters to find the direct enter of the circle. Mark this point with the permanent marker. Create a grid on the fabric by making marks in 1″ increments throughout the circle design, as shown, working from the center and outward. Each square opening on the fabric is 1/4″, so 1″ can be measured by marking every fourth square on the canvas. One thing I love about the RyaTie products is the detailed instruction guide that comes with each one to walk you through every step of the process, including how to prepare your fabric.
At this point, label the different rows in your design B (for black) and W (for white) to keep track of how the colors will alternate in the design. Each of the marks in a row represents a single RyaTie bundle. Count the marks in each row to tally how many total bundles of each color to make in the next step.
Now, let’s get started making some RyaTie bundles–AKA pom-poms!
The RyaTie tool is truly the easiest way I have ever found to make pom-poms, hands down. The technique uses a wooden tool to create yarn bundles (pom-poms) that easy tie on to a mesh canvas. All you do to make the bundles is wrap, cut and tie. The look is very similar to a shaggy latch hook look, but you don’t have to deal with any complicated, fussy tools. I love the cozy look of these projects, which go so perfectly with the 1970s decor trend that is making a resurgence right now. You can create anything from wall hangings, pillows and rugs to a stool like I’ve done here. There are so many great possibilities!
For this project, you will create 2.5″ bundles using the large tool from the kit. To do so, cut 6 lengths of yarn the same color of the bundles you wish to make that are just longer than the width of the tool. Lay three of these pieces just above the triangular notches on either side of the top and bottom of the tool.
Begin wrapping the yarn through the notches on the top and bottom left-hand side of the tool, wrapping 40 times total. (This is more than the recommended number of wraps in the tool instruction booklet, but I wanted to make very sure my finished project was nice the plush!) When 40 wraps have been made in the first set of notches, guide the yarn WITHOUT CUTTING up and over to the top of the middle set of notches and wrap 40 times again.
Continue this wrapping process on the right-most set of notches on the tool. Trim the yarn, and then secure the yarn to the tool using the provided rubber bands, fitting them in the triangle notches at the top and bottom, as shown, making sure the 3 yarn bundle ties on the top and bottom are above and below their respective rubber bands.
To secure the bundles, tie one of the bundle ties tightly in a double knot around each one, leaving the tails of the knotted end untrimmed.
When all 6 knots are tied, use shears to cut the bundles apart along the center lines on both sides of the tool.
Remove the rubber bands and–voila!–you have 6 lovely RyaTie pom-poms to use on your project! Continue this process to make the number of bundles of each color that you tallied earlier.
When all of the bundles are made, secure the bundles at each mark on the mesh fabric, creating rows of black and white. To do so, feed the tail ends of the the knotted section of each bundle down and through the fabric, and then secure with a tight double knot on the back. Continue until all of the bundles are secure and the entire circle is covered with the pom-poms, creating a fun fringed effect.
To finish the stool, lay the finished circle design face down on a work surface. Place the inverted stool on the backing of the piece. Trim around the outer perimeter of the top of the stool, leaving a 2″ border of the mesh fabric as overlap.
Wrap the mesh fabric up and to the back of the top of the stool, securing with staples as you work. Cut notches in the fabric at the points where the legs of the stool meet the top, as shown. Continue around the entire perimeter of the stool.
If desired, use the brush and the gold paint to paint a small section of each of the legs of the stand for a dipped effect. Allow the paint to dry completely.
Your mod black and white striped shag footstool is complete!
I just love a great IKEA hack project, and this shag footstool is one of my favorites! It’s plush and cozy and so perfect for propping my feet on as I enjoy a good book and a cup of coffee!
If stripes aren’t your thing, you could also do this in a solid color, or even with a random assortment of bundles in different colors.
Find the RyaTie kit in select Walmart locations, and visit Plaid Online for more helpful information for how to make amazing projects with RyaTie! In addition to the set of tools I’ve used here, there are also all-inclusive kits available to buy that include everything you need to make some really great wall hanging projects.
Bucilla has also introduced the Bucilla Weaving Loom that is perfect for making a variety of woven handmade projects. It is so fun to work with! Also new are the Weave it n’ Leave It kits that make weaving projects easy and so accessible. I am loving that fiber art is making such a comeback! You can find out more about all of these great products by visiting the Bucilla Weaving section of Plaid Online.
Find even more great inspiration by following Plaid on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram!
Having grown up in a home brimming with sewing notions and paintbrushes, Amy has a deep love for all things creative. On any given day, you’ll find her knee-deep in her latest creative endeavor, with projects ranging from sewing and crafts to home decor and kid-friendly ideas. Amy believes that everyone, regardless of skill level or experience, possesses the ability to create something beautiful, and Positively Splendid was born of her passion for helping others harness their innate creative potential.