Copper as a material has been fashionable for some time now, and is seen in every room in the house. I love it, and remember having copper bathroom accessories back in the mid 90s which were alas car booted many years ago! This month I am showing you how to make an upcycled magazine rack from off cuts of copper piping and vintage material, which can sit pride of place by your sofa or maybe, beside your bath!
MATERIALS USED
- 5 metres of 22mm copper piping
- 8 22mm female joints in copper
- Vintage material: 36 cm by 83 cm
EQUIPMENT NEEDED
- 22mm pipe cutter (you can use a hacksaw and metal file if you don’t have one)
- Sewing materials: cotton, needle, and pins
- Dressmaking scissors
- Sewing machine (although I hand stitched)
- Glue
- Tape measure and pen
- Copper cleaner (optional)
HOW TO MAKE THE UPCYCLED MAGAZINE RACK
Step 1:
Using a measure and a pen, mark out the following lengths of pipe: 2 x 25 cm, 4 x 30 cm and 2 x 40cm.
Step 2:
Using the pipe cutter, twist around the measured marks until you cut through the metal. You can of course use a hacksaw but you will not get an even cut, meaning that you will need to file it smooth.
Step 3:
Fix 4 female joints to each end of the smallest 25 cm pieces. Glue these into position.
Step 4:
Add the 4 30 cm pieces of pipe into each spare end of the female joints to create C shapes (see picture). These will become the ends of the magazine rack. Do not glue these into position.
Step 5:
Add the 4 more female joints to each end of the 30cm pieces of pipe that are attached to the 25cm lengths
Step 6:
Connect the two 40cm pieces of pipe to the ends pieces.
Top Tip: You may wish to clean the pipes using a copper cleaner.
Step 7:
Cut out a rectangle of material: 36cm wide and 83cm long. This material should be a sturdy fabric such as denim, velvet or a heavy wool.
Step 8:
Hem each side by 1 cm, using a sewing machine or like me, hand stitching.
Step 9:
Wrap the shorter ends around the sides of your upcycled magazine rack and pin into place so the material hangs down in a sling shape. Make sure that the sling is about 5 cm above the floor.
Step 10:
Remove the fabric from the copper pipe and sew along where you have pinned, creating a loop to thread the pipe through.
Step 11:
Thread the material back onto the pipe and position the pipe back into the joint.
Top Tip: I would not glue the last copper into the joints in case you want to remove the material in the future.
This is my upcycled magazine rack project for Reloved Magazine. See my other projects such as an upcycled bird feeder and upcycled blackboard drawer here.
