Apron Strings
The apron is a piece that runs along the bottom, outer edge of the table top, forming a little lip. Not every table's style calls for one, but in our case, it is important because it will hold the legs in place. I use 1" x 2" pine because it's cheap. The quality isn't always great, but I paint it in the end anyway, so it doesn't really matter.
In theory, each leg will sit on one corner of the window and the space between the legs, along the perimeter, will be filled with the apron.
So how long should each piece of the apron be?
Let's figure it out
Measure the length of your window. Let's say it's 30". 2 legs will take up part of this 30", right? But how much?
Measure the width of one leg and double it. Let's say each leg is 2" wide. That makes 4" of leg on each side.
hint: not all legs are square at the top, so make sure you're measuring the side of the leg that corresponds with the side of the table you are measuring.
Hint: Not all legs are square at the top, so make sure you're measuring the side of the leg that corresponds with the side of the table you are measuring.
So now we know that 4" of our 30" side will be taken up by
leg. What's left? 26"! That's the length of your apron!
Do this again for each side of your window.
size of apron = length (or width) of window - combined width
of two legs
Measure twice, cut once!
Make sure to check their cuts. There's nothing more frustrating than
getting home to find your pieces have been cut wrong.
Home depot or the lumber yard at which you purchase your legs and 1" x 2" should be able to cut your apron pieces to size for you. My place does it for .25 per cut but if I smile and wink enough sometimes they'll do it for free.
