Vanity with Pleated Skirt

Supplies
vanity or dressing table
5-7 yards of fabric
2-3 yards decorative trim to coordinate with fabric
matching thread

Tools
sewing machine
measuring tape for fabric
fabric scissors
staple gun with staples
glue gun with glue sticks

Directions
1. Cut a piece of fabric to cover the top of the vanity. Cut the fabric about 6" larger than vanity top on each side.
2. Center the fabric on vanity top orienting the pattern to the front of the vanity. Wrap excess fabric underneath vanity top and staple in place using 4 staples, one for each side. Then turn vanity upside down with the top on a flat surface. Pull excess fabric tight and staple in place. When stapling work from left to right then top to bottom alternating staples. This will keep the fabric centered.
3. Measure from the top edge of vanity top to the floor. Take this measurement and add 2" for the top edge and 5" for a double hem at the bottom edge. Example measurement: 30" + 2" (top edge) + 5" (bottom edge) = 37" This is the length of the fabric panel needed to make the box pleated skirt for the vanity.
4. Making the fabric panel for the box pleated Vanity skirt: Most fabric patterns used for this type of project run the length of the fabric. Cut sections of fabric across the length accounting for the pattern repeat. Remember they will need to be at least 37" (example measurement) but will probably be longer. Sew all of the panels together making sure to match the pattern. Then trim excess fabric on top and bottom of long fabric section. Trim to 37" (example measurement) keeping in mind your fabric pattern and how you want it centered on the skirt.
5. Now fold under bottom edge of fabric 2 ½" and press. Fold under 2 ½" again and press. This makes the double hem. Sew hem in place with a standard stitch on sewing machine. The hem can also be sewn in place by hand using a blind stitch. Press again once the hem is sewn.
6. Lay table skirt panel out flat. To create the box pleats, start in the middle of the long table skirt panel for the first box pleat. For the first box pleat work with three pattern sections, the middle one will be a section where the fabric cuts were sewn together. On the left pattern section pinch the fabric in the middle of the pattern design and pull to the middle of the seamed pattern design section. Do the same thing for the right design section. This will make an inverted pleat with the design pattern matching up over the center of the inverted pleat. Repeat, until the long table skirt fabric panel is pleated. Pin fabric in place on the full length of each pleat as you go. Leave 1-2 feet of fabric unpleated on each end of the long table skirt fabric panel. This part of the long skirt panel will be on the back of the vanity.
7. Using the sewing machine stitch all pleats in place on the top edge of the fabric panel. Only remove the top pins on the pleats. Keeping the length of the pleats pinned and stabilized will make it easier to work with.
8. Fold the top edge of the long table skirt panel under. The amount of fabric folded under can be adjusted so that the skirt skims the floor. Stitch the top folded edge in place.
9. Starting on the center front of the vanity table use the staple gun to affix the pleated skirt in place. The skirt will be stapled to the side edge of the vanity top. Staple the rest of the pleated skirt in place working from the middle to the left side around to the back and then from the middle to the right side around to the back. Once to the end of the right side, fold under the long side before stapling in place. This will give a finished edge.
10. Use a hot glue gun to glue the decorative trim to the edge of the vanity top. The trim will cover the staples used to attach the skirt. One end piece of the decorative trim should over lap the other end on the backside of the vanity.

This technique can be used on many types of furniture or tables with legs for example: foot stools, ottomans, nightstands, decorator tables, vanities and dressing tables.