This is another DIY that I have been looking forward to doing: a wood chair for 18″ dolls. This piece of furniture comes as part of my DIY boxes. Each box comes with all the supplies for 3 or 4 projects. The projects will include furniture for 18” dolls, jewelry for dolls and child bestie and various other accessories and housewares.
This design did take a while to come together. I had the biggest trouble coming up with the chair back. I wanted to stylize it a little and my final design definitely allows for that.
While it is a fairly easy chair to put together, It does require doing this in blocks of time. It took about 5 weeks for students to do this as part of my AGD Crafts weekly class. The reason it took this long is because the chair is put together in sections. After you glue each section, you have to wait for it to set before you can move it or attach it to other parts. With an hour long class, we had no choice but to finish the chair in 5 weeks.
The kids loved making the chair. As I am writing this post, the chairs themselves have been assembled. Next week, they start painting. They are all very excited about it.
So how do you make this chair, check out the tutorial below.
Kit supplies: chair back glueing template, one 4.5” x 1” x 1/4” wood piece, four 5″ x 1/4” x 1/4” square wood dowels, one 5” x 1” x 1/4” wood piece, one 4” x 4.5” x 1/4” wood piece, four 2.75” x 3/8” x 3/8” square wood dowels, four 4” x 3/8″ x 3/8″ wood dowels, wood glue, strip of parchment paper, paint brush, and pencil.
Additional supplies not included in the kit: parchment paper to cover workspace, small paper plate, paint, paint brush, strips of paper towels.
First step is to remove the protection paper on the top most double sided tape, top left photo.
Take the 4.5″ x 1″ x 1/4″ wood piece and line up the bottom edge of the wood against the bottom edge of the top rectangle, top right photo.
Next, slide the parchment paper under the wood, bottom left.
Remove the protective paper over the remaining double sided tape.
Apply glue to one of the 5″ x 1/4″ x 1/4″ square dowel.
Then apply glue to the section indicated by the glue template on the top chair back.
Then pushed the two glued sections together. Make sure to press the dowel at a slight angle so that it does touch the double sided tape until you are happy with the placement. If any glue seeps out, use paper towels to gently wipe it off.
Continue to add the dowels to create the chair back remembering to always: add glue to both surfaces that will be joined and first place the dowel at a slight angle before laying it flat on the double sided tape. Once finished, set aside for at least 1 hour or until glue sets.
Meanwhile, cover your workspace with parchment paper. Then use the 2.75″ dowel to trace the glue areas on the 4″ dowels.
Apply glue to both ends of one 4″ dowel as well as 1 edge each of two 2.75″ dowels.
Attach the two short dowels to the long dowel as shown, top left photo.
Then attach a second 4″ dowel to create a rectangular shape, top right photo. Repeat the process to create the second leg and then set aside for about 20 to 30.
Then align the 4″ side of one leg to the 4″ side of the seat and trace the glue area. Repeat on the other side, bottom left photo.
Then as always, apply glue to both surfaces to be attached and adhere, bottom right photo.
Then set aside for glue to set.
Next, place the seat back on your workspace and gently peel off the template.
Next align the chair back and the seat and mark the glue areas on the chair set.
Apply glue to both chair pieces and attach. Make sure both pieces are lying flat against the workspace and hold in place for a count of at least 30. Then set aside for the glue to dry.
All done. You can leave the chair as is or paint it. I decided to paint mine. Now whether you paint or leave the chair its natural color, it is important to sand it it. There will be some glue residue and sanding will remove them.
I went class and painted my chair white. You will need to do 2 paint layers.
All done. I know I am a little biased, but I love this chair.
And here is Melody trying her chair for the first time.