Giant DIY Cupcake Stand
Here’s a great project for all you crafty brides with crafty husbands-to-be!! Design your own cupcake stand – I promise it will be a big hit!
FINALLY! After many, many requests, at long last we have finished the Step-by Step Tutorial with detailed photos on how to make your own Small Cupcake Stand! You can find the PDF instructions here: http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&op=listing&product_id=1579925
Not only are the instructions on sale, but you can get them for an additional 50% off until 8/2/10 when you use the coupon code: CUPCAKESTANDLIST
Don’t have the time or resources to make your own? Now you can order your very own custom made stand! (We also have other sizes available.) This tutorial has become so popular we are currently working on multiple versions for other sizes with much more detail and LOTS more photos, tips & tricks. If you would like to be contacted when these instructions are available, please e-mail me and let me know.
Tracey, a reader who used our tutorial, was nice enough to provide me with a metric version! You can obtain those instructions here. Thanks Tracy! And have a look at her beautiful stand…didn’t they do a fabulous job?!
Materials List
49″ x 97″ x 3/4″ MDF Board (1 sheet)
Cut to size:
32″ x 32″ (2 pieces)
24″ x 24″ (2 pieces)
17″ x 17″ (2 pieces)
12″ x 12″ (2 pieces)
4″ x 2′ PVC (2 pices)
4″ PVC Coupling (4 each)
1/2″ 6′ All Thread Rod (1 piece)
1/2″ Hex Nuts (2 each)
Paint
1/2″ Flat Washer (2 pieces)
6-8 Knobs (to put on the bottom for feet)
2 yards of 44″ or wider fabric
32″ x 40″ Foam Board (1 piece)
Cut to size:
23 1/8″ x 4 1/8″ (2 pieces)
16 1/8″ x 4 1/8″ (2 pieces)
11 1/8″ x 4 1/8″ (2 pieces)
*NOTE: You will need to cut 2 pieces of foam core slightly smaller than the dimensions above so they all fit snug. I re-measure and update when I get a chance.
Have Lowes cut the MDF board, then cut a small circle in the center of each piece. Put the threaded rod through layers of the MDF board and PVC. (Notice that you don’t have to paint the top and bottom of everything, only parts that will show.
Countersink a hole in the top so the threaded rod does not stick out. You can add a nice piece of acrylic, or another board or something on top if you wish but it’s not necessary.
We routered the undersides of the layers so we could slip the panels in and out. You can skip the routering if you don’t intend to change the fabric panels.
Lay out the foam board and cut the fabric a couple inches larger. Wrap the fabric around the panels and adhere with a strong glue. Let dry, then slide into the routered grooves.
Add the knobs at the bottom for feet and you’re ready to go! Keep in mind this thing is somewhat heavy, and large:
You will definitely need a truck to transport it fully assembled. But, it’s easy enough to tear apart and reassemble if necessary.
Please send me photos if you make one and we’ll feature it on our site!!
Hi,
I was wondering if the one you had for sale was still available if so how much were you asking, it is sooo pretty!!
Thanks,
Stephanie
This is beautiful!! Can you tell me if you cut into the top cake or did you save it for the 1st anniversary. If you saved it did you have another cake to cut into or did you cut into a cupcake? If you cut into that cake you must have brought it down, yes?? More info please!!!
Hi Leslie!
Thank you for your nice comment!
We had a fake cake on top so we did not take it down and cut into it; but you could. We just cut into a cupcake. =) And it was hiliarious…Andy cut slices out of a cupcake – didn’t like cut it in half, or quarters, oh no…literally tiny slices as though it was a cake!! We basically fed each other a little pinch of cupcake.
I think I may want to make a smaller version for entertaining. Wouldn’t a small one be adorable for desserts at a party?
Oooh! That WOULD be fun! And I bet if you make it smaller you could just make them stackable and leave out the threaded rod and all that jazz.
Oh Handy Andy…..
I’m curious. For the size you made, how many cupcakes did it hold? Also, approximately how much did it cost to make?
BTW, it is beautiful!
Thanks Melinda!
We didn’t count how many it held…we had 300 total and I’m guessing it held maybe 100? We had a bunch hid under the table and a bunch on trays to the side.
As for the cost of the materials…I’d guess maybe $150 plus a few hours of work.
Thanks so much for the info. My fiance isn’t quite craft-oriented enough for this project, but his best friend is, so we’ve talked him into constructing one for us! He’s going to make the basic structure and then I’m going to do the painting and fabric decoration.
I’m curious, how many people did 300 cupcakes feed?
Awesome!!! PLEASE send photos when you’re done! I’d love to feature it here!
We probably had about 200-220 people at the reception; 300 cupcakes was WAY too many!
We had probably 75 or so leftover. (Good thing I didn’t order the 400 Andy wanted me to order!)
Did you have normal sized cupcakes? If so, how many does this stand hold? It looks amazing!
Thanks Tara!
Yes, they were normal size and I am guessing we had maybe 100-150 displayed on there? Unfortunately we never counted.
This is gorgeous! Thanks for posting this beautiful cupcake stand and for the instructions. My husband is making one for me and I can’t wait to show it off!! I will send pictures when it is all finished and setup.
My dad and I are trying to make a stand for my wedding and we just had a couple of questions. What do you mean by solid PVC, is it completely solid all the wayy through, and if it is did you drill a whole all the way through the peices for the rod to go through? WHat type of couplings do you need? And where do they go, we cant tell by the pictures. Thank you for posting this tutorial, the stand you had looked awesome.
Lyndsey: I think the “solid” PVC is the long pieces, not sure why I put “solid” I think that’s what the reciept called it. I’ll change it on my list. The couplings are pre-cut pieces. Or, you can use the long pieces to cut the 4″ sections if you want. The couplings go INSIDE the two layers that make the tiers to help support the top and bottom of the board. They are the white sections of PVC; no need to paint b/c they will be covered by the panels.
Also, I need to re-measure the fabric panels and update the list; you will have two sides that need to be slightly smaller so they all slide in.
Please send photos when you have yours done, I’d love to see!
Thank you for the info. I will definately send pics.
Hi The Wife, Firsty this is amazing and thankyou for posting it on here. I am making one of these for our school fete and using pink demask fabric and making matching aprons… I am sure it will be a big hit.
Q: We have purchased all the wood and it is cut and ready to go but we are just not sure about a couple of things. Could you possibly answer the below questions.
1. PVC – Can you tell me the length of the black PVC
2. PVC – Can you tell me the length of the white PVC.
3. Could you tell me the measurements of the fabric board?
4. Is the pole 6 foot? seems very high.
Sorry we work in metric and struggle with conversions.
I will take a photo at our fete with the girls and the aprons and send it to you!
Thankyou thankyou thankyou!
Tracey
traceybrock@optusnet.com.au
Hi Tracey!
I would LOVE to see photos when you’re done! I’ll do my best to answer your questions:
1. The black PVC, which acts as a spacer in between layers is 5″ tall.
2. The white PVC, which is inside the layers, is 4″ tall.
3. The fabric board is 4 3/8″ tall x 1.5″ LESS THAN the length of your tier. So, if you’re doing a 4-tier stand with the following tiers, this is what your boards would be:
10″ tier – 4 3/8″ x 8.5″
15″ tier – 4 3/8″ x 13.5″
20″ tier – 4 3/8″ x 18.5″
25″ tier – 4 3/8″ x 23.5″
I’m not entirely sure how to convert to metric, but I found an online calculator that might help here: http://www.worldwidemetric.com/metcal.htm
I hope that helps! Good luck!
Hello! This looks awesome! How big should the whole in the MDF boards be? Also, does the PVC go through each of the boards? I am trying to figure out how this would look. Thanks!
Hi The wife,
Well we have finished the stand. Thanks for all your great information. Where can I send the pictures to?
Awesome!! Please send to: laura (at) themeckleys (dot) com
Hello!
The MDF boards come in 4′ x 8′ sheets and you cut them down to size. The PVC does not go through the MDF, but acts as a support. They should be cut to size and layered with the tiers. Hope that makes sense!
~L
Hello,
This is sooo neat and looks great. I am interested in one for my wedding and I saw that you can order them from you. I clicked on the link but didn’t see how I could do it. Can u contact me to let give me more info?
Thanks Brenda!
Sorry, I need to update the link…but we are considering not selling the Giant stands now because they are so heavy and expensive to ship. E-mail me directly to let me know details – how many cupcakes you need it to hold, where you’re located and when you need it; maybe we can still help! laura (at) themeckleys (dot) com
Hi there, this cupcake stand is amazing. My fiance and I are going to attempt one for our upcoming wedding. I am just unclear on a few things.
First off, how tall does the stand end up? Is the threaded rod really 6′ tall?
Second, where did you get the wood routered? Did you do it yourself?
Third, do you need 4 couplings and 3 pieces of PVC? What is the difference between a coupling and the regular cut piece of PVC? Is it necessary to have both?
Lastly, did you use spray paint or acrylic paint on it?
Thanks so much, im so excited to get started on this!
HI Kimberly!
I’ll do my best to answer your questions…
1. The stand ends up being around 3.5″ tall
2. We bought a 6′ threaded rod and cut it to size (wait to cut until you’ve got all your pieces done and stacked, that way you’ll leave room for error, just in case)
3. We routered the wood ourselves
4. The couplings are pre-cut with a nice, even edge. You can certainly cut pieces of PVC yourself but if you don’t have a really high quality cutter and/or steady hand you will most definitely not cut a perfect edge. If you don’t have a perfect edge your layers will be skewed and dip slightly; not the end of the world but it is noticeable. So, no, I guess it’s not necessary to have both but it’s a LOT less headache, trust me! We tried cutting the PVC ourselves and are getting better at it but it does save a lot of time and hassle to just buy precut pieces. =)
Good luck – Hope that helps!
I made one of the cupcake holders for my Hawaiian themed wedding and it was perfect for my cupcakes. Thanks for the idea. If I can figure out how to send you a picture I will do so.
Linda
Hello
We tried cutting the PVC with both a hack saw and a table saw and were unsuccessful in getting it straight…We have not been able to locate pre cut pieces anywhere. Can you tell us where you got pre cut pieces?
Thanks
Cathy
Hi Cathy,
Cutting the PVC is VERY tricky. We have used a chop saw and a table saw and it took A LOT of practice; the pieces still aren’t 100% straight. I wish I had some secret trick but I don’t, just keep trying. My husband says if he had higher quality equipment it would be better, but I don’t know, that might be his excuse for wanting new saws!
You can buy couplings that are pre-cut, I use those for the PVC sections that are inside the layers. I suppose if you can find couplings in the diminsions you need you could use those for all pieces but I think they are much more expensive. But, if you’re ready to pull your hair out it might be worth it!
Good luck! I would love to see photos when you’re done!
I have a picture of the one I made for a sweet sixteen this past weekend, send me your email so i can send you the pictures
Awesome! Please send to: laura (at) themeckleys (dot) com
I am trying to find someone to do the prodject for us.. it is sssooo beautiful. I want one so very badly for my wedding. I would purchase one from you, but to be honest…….. We cannot afford $200 doolars for a cupcake toweras i am on disability and ssi and i only get paid a small amount each month. My fiance is not able to make it either has he has alote of back problems. so we are trying to have my brother make it for us. i wish to god we could afford to have you make it. Hopefully we can find someone willing to tackle the prodject.
Hi Rebecca!
Glad you like the stand and I hope you can find someone to help you make it. They are amazing but I know all about having to stick to a budget. These stands are so heavy to ship too, we pay $175 to ship them!
Good luck and best wishes on your wedding!
I am thinking of making one of these for my wedding! I was thinking of getting one of those really big cup cakes for the top. Has anyone done this? Does anyone have a picture – thoughts?? Ideas??
thanks
sydurham@aol.com
My grandpa is making on for my upcoming wedding! I was wondering if you used spray paint or interior house paint. Also What kind of material was your fabric made of and did you have to double it up?
Hey there SoonToBeMrs Brown!
Glad you like our stand! =) We did use spray paint for our stand. It works just fine but as we have made stands for others we’ve also tried latex paint (works fine too) but we eventually upgraded to an oil based paint with a spray gun for the best results. Any of the above would be fine though.
As for the fabric I use whatever looks pretty! I do not double up on the fabric but you might consider using white or black foam core depending on the color and transparency of the fabric you choose.
Good luck with the stand and best wishes on the wedding! Please send photos of your finished stand – I’d love to see it!
Amazing cupcake stand!
I’m going to attempt at building mine this week. If I have any questions, is it better to write in your comments section or e-mail you?
Thanks Lawrence!
Feel free to post comments with questions or e-mail me directly…I’ll do my best to answer promptly although we’re headed out of town for a wedding this week. =)
~L
HOW IS THE BOTTOM BOARD SUPPORTED BY THE COUPLING
Not sure what you mean…the bottom layer is supported by “feet” (Chair feet), not the coupling. Couplings are inside the tiers and in between layers, all threaded onto the rod. Everything is held into place by a sandwich effect after you tighten the nuts on the rod.
Hope that helps!
I would love to find one of these stands — USED — in the NY Metro area. If anyone would like to re-coup part of the expense, I would consider buying your stand. My budget is tight. Please contact me… need it for
Nov. ‘10 event. THANKS!!!