How to Build Craft Stools

Use a diner stool, for example, as inspiration.

Making a craft stool is a creative way to express your love and passion for interior design. Craft stools are constructed with household objects and tools. The trick to adding flair to your stool is to give the craft cushion the look and feel of a stool pillow. Build craft stools with family, friends or children to generate fresh interior design ideas or make replicas of stools in your home.

Things You'll Need

• Work gloves
• Dust mask
• Safety glasses
• Measuring tape
• 1 1/2-inch-thick dowel rod
• Saw
• 120-grit sandpaper
• Acrylic paint
• Paintbrushes
• 2-by-4-inch board
• Wood glue
• Cotton balls
• Felt
• Fabric scissors
• Lace
• Needle
• Thread
• White glue

Instructions

1. Put on work gloves, a dust mask and safety glasses to protect skin, lungs and eyes.

2. Cut a 1 1/2-inch-thick dowel rod to 5 inches. Smooth the sawed end of the dowel with 120-grit sandpaper. Place the dowel rod aside for use in later steps.

3. Measure a piece of 2-by-4-inch wood to a length of 4 inches. Cut the wood and sand the sawed end with 120-grit sandpaper. This piece will be the base of the stool. Place the base aside for use in later steps.

4. Trace a 2-inch-wide circle onto a piece of 2-by-4. Cut the wood circle and sand the sawed sides with 120-grit sandpaper. The circle piece will be the seat for the stool.

5. Paint the dowel rod, base and seat. Paint each piece metallic grey or silver to give the stool a stainless steel look, for example. Allow two hours for the pieces to dry.

6. Apply a layer of wood glue to one end of the dowel rod. Center the dowel rod on top of the base. Press and hold the dowel in place for 30 seconds to secure the bond.

7. Apply a layer of wood glue to the opposite end of the dowel rod. Center the seat on top of the dowel rod. Press and hold the seat in place for 30 seconds to secure the bond. The spine of the stool is now complete. Place the spine aside for use in later steps.

8. Measure and cut two 3-inch felt circles. Place one circle atop the other. Sew half the circles together along the perimeter.

9. Pinch the circles open to create a pocket. Stuff the pocket with cotton balls. Sew the remainder of the felt circles shut to create a pillow. Sew lace trim to the outer edge of the pillow if you prefer. Center and bond the pillow to the top of the seat with white glue.

References

• California Dowel and Turnings Inc.: Dowel Rod Sizes

Resources

• Dick Blick: Acrylic Paints and Supplies