It’s that time of year where children and adults are returning to school. I’m sharing a DIY Lap Desk project today that dips into several different crafts using beginner skills to make a fun, colorful, and functional project!
This post contains affiliate links. I may receive compensation (at no added cost to you) if you make a purchase using these links. This project is sponsored by Fairfield World, but all opinions and thoughts are my own. Additional materials for this project were generously provided by Baby Lock, Cricut, and Lion Brand.
This DIY Lap Desk is very easy to put together, but expect to spend about three days on it because of the drying time involved.
It’s best if you start by sanding, then painting the unfinished wood lap desk. I used FolkArt Home Decor Chalk paint in 34175 Sunset Rose to contrast with my yarn.
While that’s drying, you can get started on your crochet cushion cover. I used one full skein of Lion Brand Feels Like Butta Bonus Bundle yarn because it’s so soft and it comes in great colors!
Then, you’ll sew your crochet cushion cover to a piece of fabric. Tip: I used the leveling foot on my Baby Lock Jubilant, but you can also use a walking foot because your crochet top will be thick. (You can find out more about sewing machine presser feet in this Sewing Basics post.)
Once your cushion is ready, you’ll stuff it firmly with Fairfield Poly-Fil Premier Polyester Fiber Fill so it will be fluffy and soft.
Then, you’ll finish by gluing the lap desk…
…to the cushion. Tip: A pile of books is helpful during this stage. You can also clamp or fasten the cushion to the lap desk while the glue dries.
DIY Lap Desk with Crochet Cushion
Tutorial by Underground Crafter
This DIY lap desk lets you flex your crafting muscles! Do-it-yourself with crochet, sewing, painting, and more!
Materials
- Feels Like Butta Bonus Bundle yarn (100% polyester, 9.7 oz/275 g/590 yd/540 m) – 1 skein in 156 Mint, or approximately 590 yd (540 m) in any medium weight yarn.
- Muslin, “ugly,” or scrap fabric – 1 fat quarter or half yard cut of fabric.
- Fairfield Poly-Fil Premier Polyester Fiber Fill – 32 ounces bag.
- FolkArt Home Decor Chalk paint in 34175 Sunset Rose.
- Aleene’s Original ClearGel Tacky Glue.
- Sewing thread in a color that coordinates with your yarn.
- Houseworks Unfinished Wood Lap Desk.
- Sandpaper.
Supplies
- FolkArt Home Decor Wide Brush.
- US Size I-9/5.5 mm crochet hook, or size needed to obtain gauge.
- Yarn needle.
- Baby Lock Jubilant, or sewing machine with leveling foot or walking foot.
- Hand sewing needle.
- Pins and pin cushion.
- Cricut cutting mat, acrylic ruler, and 45 mm rotary cutter, or fabric shears.
Gauge
- 12.5 hdc with two strands of yarn held together = 4” (10 cm) wide. Exact gauge is not critical for this project but stitches should be small so that fiber filling doesn’t show.
Get the complete tutorial here on the Fairfield website.
If you make your own DIY Lap Desk, I’d love to see it! Share your progress and questions by tagging me on Facebook as @Underground Crafter, Instragram as @ucrafter, or Twitter as @ucrafter. You can also share a picture in the Underground Crafters Facebook group. Sign up for my weekly newsletter and get a coupon code for your choice of one of my premium patterns and private access to my vault of subscriber goodies. Plus, you’ll never miss one of my free patterns again!