Aside from a small train table and a vegetable garden, this is my first furniture build! Sadly, I was not able to move past the first step without the help of my husband. I chose this chair because it seemed like a very simple build, but it was quite challenging, even with the help of my hubby.
This chair cost me about $34 to build. I had to buy screws, a square, top coat, and eventually a right angle clamp. The next chair should cost me $4 plus the cost of the paint.
On the next chair, we will definitely switch up steps 6 and 7. It was very difficult to screw in the screws on the very back seat slats once we attached the back slats. Also, side note, it didn't saw in step 6 or 7 which size screw to use, so we used the 1 1/4 inch screws. We used a size 8 in width. My hubby thinks we should have used a 6. I didn't even know screws came in different lengths AND widths!
Our chair ended up a bit loopsided and rough in some areas. I wish I would have sanded it more before painting it. Also, I was way off on attaching the second back chair leg, so I had to cut off a little bit of the left over 1x2 and glue and screw it to the bottom of the leg (see pic below). Then, I shaved off some of the top of that leg with my mitre saw.
Also, I initially tried making this with pocket hole screws, but quickly learned that that level of woodmaking was above my pay grade. I switched back to the 2 inch screws and it was just fine. We used wood filler to hide the screws as much as possible.
Despite how difficult this first build was, and despite how imperfect it is, I am totally in love with the chair and with woodmaking! My husband and I really bonded and enjoyed our time together making this. My 2 year old daughter just loves it (and it didn't break when my children sat on it!). I've already bought the wood for the second chair and, after that, have plans to move on to the Elementary Trestle Table!
Comments
brookifer86
Mon, 06/06/2011 - 13:56
What a clever mod!
I love this! The fact that it's bench-sized, that it fits a waterproofed crib mattress, all of it! I'm totally doing something like this with the crib mattress we got secondhand.
CreativeBaggage
Sat, 06/11/2011 - 00:13
Thank you!
I think now that I have done this one, I may do one with the canopy for my daughter's room... Ana has so many amazing plans, I have the hardest time making up my mind on anything! But, so far this has held up great.
Tanya (not verified)
Tue, 07/26/2011 - 11:33
Cute!!
Going to be making the outdoor daybed for my daughter this weekend and think this will make a very great reading bench for her room! We are going to make a bunch of throw pillows out of old sheets and just make it nice and comfy looking!
CreativeBaggage
Tue, 07/26/2011 - 11:38
That's Great!
I absolutely love that idea, and the thought of re-using old sheets to make new pillows. For these ones, I used some fabric I had around and a bag of fill, but when I ran out I was in search for old teddy bears no longer being played with :) I would love to see pictures when you are finished!