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Gifts & Small Projects

Dress Up Rack

Step-by-step build — 14 steps. Also available as a print sheet.

  1. 1Step 1:

    Cut your 1" x 12" x 4' board down to: (1) at 3' - this will be the bottom of your dress up rack. Cut your 1" x 12" x 8' boards down to: (2) at 3' - these will be the ends (2) at 37-9/16" - these will be the sides Cut your 1" x 3" x 8' board down to: (2) at 12-13/16" - this will be the trim for the ends (2) at 39-1/8" - this will be the trim for the sides Cut your 1-1/4" dowel to 35"

    Dress Up Rack — step photo 3
  2. 2Step 2:

    Draw out and trace the curves on the end boards of your dress up rack. I did this by taking a standard paper plate, placing it on printer paper cut to the width of my board, then traced around the top curve of the plate and drew a slight curve outward until I ran off of the paper.

    Dress Up Rack — step photo 4
  3. 3Step 3:

    After your desired curve shape is traced onto your and boards, cut the shape out using your jigsaw or a band saw.

    Dress Up Rack — step photo 5
  4. 4Step 4:

    Taking the bottom board of your dress up rack (1" x 12" x 3'), begin drilling pocket holes into all four sides using the Kreg Jig K5 set at a 3/4" jig setting.

    Dress Up Rack — step photo 6
  5. 5Step 5:

    Next, mark out where to drill the pocket holes on the sides of your end pieces to the dress up rack. Drill 2 holes in each side to connect with the side boards.

    Dress Up Rack — step photo 7
  6. 6Step 6:

    Now that your pocket holes are drilled, you are ready to begin assembling. Start by attaching the two end pieces to the bottom of the dress up rack.

    Dress Up Rack — step photo 8
  7. 7Step 7:

    • Next you will attach the side boards to the bottom of the dress up rack. Begin by attaching one side first to the bottom, then screw together the ends to the side using your 1-1/4" Kreg screws.
    • Once one side is attached, add the other side.
    Dress Up Rack — step photo 9
  8. 8Step 8:

    • You are now ready to add your trim to the bottom end of the box you just created.
    • Start by nailing in the shorter trim first to the ends of the dress up rack with your brad nailer and 1-1/2" brad nails.
    • Once those are attached, you can add on the longer trim pieces to the sides.
    Dress Up Rack — step photo 10
  9. 9Step 9:

    • Now that the base of your rack is complete, it's time for the finishing parts.
    • First you will add on the end pieces to hold the dowel rod in place.
    • Measure down 4" from the top of the curve on both ends and make a mark.
    • Place the top of your end pieces on those marks and screw into place.
    Dress Up Rack — step photo 11
  10. 10Step 10:

    Next, screw in the hardware for the decorative furniture legs that you purchased. Screw in the brackets into the four corners of the bottom side of your dress up rack. *We purchased our furniture legs and brackets at Home Depot

    Dress Up Rack — step photo 12
  11. 11Step 11:

    Fill all nail holes or gaps with wood filler, sand and then paint or stain the color of your choice.

    Dress Up Rack — step photo 13
  12. 12Admire Your Work:

    Now stand back and admire your hard work!

    Dress Up Rack — step photo 14
  13. 13Add A Personal Touch:

    After painting our dress up rack a crisp clean white, I went ahead and designed personalized artwork to represent our two kiddo's using a combination of my Silhouette Studio program and my favorite Rhonna Designs App. After I created the image I wanted, I cut out the image onto a vinyl template and painted the image onto the dress up rack using a dark gray chalk paint. Just imagine your own child, grandchild, or a child you love waking up on Christmas morning to see their very own dress up rack filled with their favorite costumes!

    Dress Up Rack — step photo 15
  14. 14The Finishing Details:

    Lastly, just to add a little extra, I took a few of my children's hangers and spray painted them using this Rustoleum copper (rose gold) spray paint. I love how the spray painted hangers dress the whole rack up a bit and makes it feel just a tad bit "fancy".

    Dress Up Rack — step photo 16