Make your own picnic stools to match your glassware and cushions. Hang some drapes and linger into the night on your romantic Valentine’s Day date.

You Will Need

• oilcloth
• lightweight canvas
• paperclips
• extra-strong sewing thread
• rubber mallet or hammer

To Make
1 Measure the top bars of the picnic stool’s frame to determine the width of the seat. Cut a piece of oilcloth 3cm wider than this measurement, and 73cm long. Cut a piece of canvas 3cm narrower than the oilcloth and 73cm long.

2 Place the canvas and the oilcloth with wrong sides together. The long edges of the oilcloth should extend 1.5cm over on both sides of the canvas. Fold the oilcloth edges over to cover the edges of the canvas– use paperclips to hold in position. Using the roller foot on your sewing machine, sew the long edges 1cm in from the fold.

3 Fold the oilcloth over on itself, right sides together. Place the two top bars of the stool frame between the two layers and sew the two ends together. Open the seam and gently beat with the mallet, until the seam lies flat. Turn the oilcloth right side out.

4 Fold the oilcloth over on itself, right sides together. Place the two top bars of the stool frame between the two layers and sew the two ends together. Open the seam and gently beat with the mallet, until the seam lies flat. Turn the oilcloth right side out.

Image and text: Ideas