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Materials:
- 4' x 4' sheet of 3/4" plywood
- Glue - for the wooden frame
- Matte acrylic artists medium - used to attach the fabric
- Dozen 1-1/4" screws
- Fabric
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Tools
- Jigsaw with scrolling blade
- Drill and bits
- Safety equipment
- Clamps
- Square
- Measuring tape
- Pencil
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Dimension Guidelines:
- 27" - height of sides
- 12" - height of seat, measured from the ground
- 11" - depth of seat
- 24" - approximate overall width of throne
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Steps:
Drawing tools - if you don't trust the closed-eye method |
Draw out the shape for the sides |
Mark the height for the seat |
Eyes Wide Shut
This project provides the opportunity of designing with your
eyes shut, because any shape will do, so you can't go wrong
even if you're not looking. And later, if it turns out badly,
you can say "It's pretty good considering I had my eyes
closed."
To start, stand over your plywood and put a pencil on one
edge about 27" up from the bottom. Close your eyes. Make
a swirly, loopy shape that vaguely resembles the profile of
an armchair. Open your eyes. Celebrate the goofiness of your
Dr. Seuss-like creation.
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Jigsaw with scrolling blade |
Cut out the shapes using the jigsaw |
First side cut out |
Lay out the second side as a mirror image |
Leave enough room between sidepieces to form the back |
Trace the second piece onto the plywood |
| Cut along the line with a jigsaw, and then use the cutout
piece to trace a mirror image for the other side. (Or make the
second one asymmetrical if that's the mood you're in.) The leftover
plywood between your two side cutouts can be used to form the
back of the throne, so make sure it's wide enough to accommodate
your little one's bottom. (Now is the time when you may have
to subtly measure the beam of the child you're making the throne
for.) |
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Notch the sides to accept the back |
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Notch So Fast
After you've cut out the main pieces, try fitting them together.
The back piece protrudes gawkily from the sides, so cut ¾"
notches along the back edges of the sidepieces (between the
top edge and the approximate height of the seat) so the back
can be attached flush with the sides. The back piece should
sit smartly in the notches. |
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Attach three quarter inch strips on the sides to support the
seat |
Glue a strip to the back as well |
Finish off with screws for support |
Hot Seat
Cut out a rectangle to make the seat, again remembering to comfortably
accommodate the dimensions of the child's bottom. Cut the seat
a little shallower than the sidepieces; it will look better
if the seat is inset just a bit.
Now you need some ledgers to hold the seat in position. I
have an idea! Use the 3/4" pieces left over from cutting
out those notches! Pretty good thinking considering I still
have my eyes closed!
The top of the seat should be set at a height of about 12",
so measure up from the bottom of the sides up to 11-1/4"
(minus 3/4" for the thickness of the seat). Make a mark
on both sides. Use a square against the back edge to make
a line through the mark. This line locates the top edge of
your ledger. Glue and screw the ledger pieces in place below
the line.
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Lay out all parts for assembly and apply glue to surfaces that
touch |
Pull all the pieces into position, clamp and screw the pieces
together |
Add screws |
| Next, set the back in place against the sides
and mark a line across the back at the same height as the top
edge of those 3/4" ledger pieces that are attached on either
side. Then attach a 12" ledger below that line in the centre
of the back to support the weight of the child in question.
Smear glue along all edges that contact each other and clamp
the side and back pieces together. Install screws for support.
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Sort the fabric into piles of related colours |
Small swatches can be ordered from some quilting supply shops
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Use acrylic artist's medium to attach the pieces of cloth |
Brush on medium both under and over the cloth |
Finished bench |
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Fab, oh!
Separate the fabric pieces into colour groups, sorting into
lights and darks so you can graduate the tones and make it
look like an airbrushed '60's Volkswagen. Or do it some other
way that will actually look good. Apply the fabric pieces
by brushing acrylic artist's medium onto the plywood, pressing
the fabric down, and then brushing another coat over the top
of the fabric. Trim the edges of the throne with long strips
of fabric ¾" wide. Once the whole thing is dry,
you can apply more coats of acrylic artist's medium or water-based
urethane to make the upholstery indestructible.
TIP:
Small fabric swatches (1 ½" square) can be ordered
in batches of 600 from Keepsake
Quilting, Route 25B, Post Office Box 1618, Center
Harbor, NH 03226-1618. 1-800-865-9458.
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Detail of the top of the back |
Detail of the seat and edge |
Detail of the back |
First child's bench |
Resident chipmunk with his own chair |
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These thrones can be made to fit any bottom so don't hold
back. Make one for yourself, too. And if you have a pet, for
heaven sakes make one for him too or there will be an emotional
outburst.
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Artisans'
work featured on this episode:
(click pics for Artist info and larger
images)
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