How to Make a Wooden Girl on a Swing
Wooden yard decorations come in many sizes and styles. Handmade wooden yard decorations such as wooden girls on swings are folk art decorations. Whimsical wooden girls on swings harken back to a time when things were simple. This is just one example of folk art that you can create with some basic materials in your home workshop.
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Things You'll Need
- 2-by-6-by-12-inch board
- 1/2-inch drill bit
- Drill
- 3/4-by-12-by-28-inch plywood sheet
- Band saw
- Table saw with dado set
- 120-grit sandpaper
- Wood finish
- Two threaded eye hooks
- Two 36-inch sections of rope
- Tree branch
Instructions
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Drill a 1/2-inch hole through each end of the 2-by-6-by-12-inch board approximately 1 inch in from the ends in the center. This is the seat of the swing. Use a table saw with dado set to make a 3/4-by-1/2-inch cut down the center of the seat lengthwise. This will allow the girl's feet to sit in place on the seat.
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Draw the outline of a girl standing up on the 3/4-by-12-by-28-inch plywood sheet. Make her arms spread apart so she can hold onto the ropes of the swing. She is a little girl so she will be standing on the swing in excitement.
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3
Cut the outline of the girl out using a band saw. Sand the swing seat and the outline of the girl with 120-grit sandpaper. Apply a wood finish of your choice. Allow the wood finish to dry thoroughly before proceeding.
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4
Screw a threaded eye hook into each hand of the girl on the front side. This will enable the girl to hold onto the swing. Tie the two 36-inch lengths of rope to a tree branch approximately 24 inches apart. Thread one rope through each of the eye hooks in the girl's hands. Place the girl's feet into the 3/4-inch cut in the seat. Thread the ropes through the holes in the seat. Tie a knot in each rope on the bottom of the seat to hold it in place.
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Tips & Warnings
Paint the girl in bright colors for an eye-catching piece of country folk art.
Wear eye protection when woodworking.
Follow wood finish safety precautions carefully.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit swing image by Sebastian from Fotolia.com
