In the recent past, the ability to weave baskets taught in every family. They wove shoes, baskets, bodies for sleighs, carts, and individual pieces of furniture from wicker. But along with the old way of life, many types of applied art that were widespread at that time began to decline. Gradually, wicker weaving almost disappeared from our everyday life. And then it turned out that the basket for collecting mushrooms and berries cannot be replaced with any bag or bucket. In a wicker basket, the contents are well ventilated, and potatoes, for example, are easily freed up from sand - it spills out through the holes. Wicker boxes and baskets are convenient and practical.
Today, due to interest in antiquity, as well as an increase in free time and the desire to make things with your own hands “for home and family,” weaving, like other types of applied art, is experiencing its rebirth.
In our opinion, you need to start learning weaving with a simple basket, a durable and beautiful design, which is called cat(photo above). Making such baskets is not difficult. They are distinguished by their capacity, strength, stability (which is especially important when picking berries, mushrooms, potatoes), and are easy to carry (on the arm bent at the elbow). A skillfully made koshik looks beautiful, filled with the gifts of nature, fits well into the interior of a modern apartment, making it more comfortable and homely. In the kitchen and in pantries, onions, garlic, cranberries, potatoes, etc. are stored in baskets.
Amateur weaving does not require a special tool or workshop. Enough Have a knife, a piece of wire and pliers.
Branches and twigs are used as material for weaving baskets. First, blanks for the rings are selected. These are branches or shoots of willow, buckthorn, bird cherry, oak, hazel, etc. without damage, knots or other defects. One ring will serve as the handle of the basket, and the other as the base. After inspecting the workpiece, you need to work it on your knee, slightly bending it and securing it with your hands. An unconnected ring is a compressed spring, and if one of the ends pops out, it can hit hard.
If the workpiece bends well and does not form any breaks, then a ring can be made from it. To do this, at a distance of 8-20 mm from the end of the branch (depending on the diameter of the thickened part), a smooth cut is made from the outside. The same is done on the thin end of the workpiece, but from the inside. This is necessary so that the thickness of the ring around the entire perimeter is approximately the same. After this, the ring blank is overlapped. First, tie the ends with twine, and then, having made cuts on both sides, carefully tighten them with wire.
Bending a small ring does not require much effort, but when working on the knee with workpieces for large baskets, significant effort and hand support will be required so that the workpiece does not crack or break. A skill is not developed immediately, and therefore, if you fail, you should not despair.
Having made the outer ring, proceed to the inner one. Since it is braided, there are no such high demands on its appearance as on a handle ring. Having made both rings, put them aside and start working on the ribs.
The living lower branches of 10-20-year-old Christmas trees serve as durable material for the ribs of the basket. Having removed such a branch from small twigs and needles, it is worked on the knee, cut to the required length and cleared of bark. The same is done when making ribs from other types of trees or shrubs. The length of the main ribs should be more than half of the inner ring, and the additional ribs should be slightly shorter. The rib should bend evenly along its entire length. To do this, its thick end is cut off, like the blanks for the ring.
The materials for weaving basket baskets are willow twigs, walnut shingles, wire, PVC tubes, etc. The most common and easily accessible are willow twigs. Many willows grow along rivers, in meadows and in low places. However, not all rods are suitable for weaving. Annual shoots 60-80 cm long are used, and the thickness is selected depending on the size of the basket. Rods
harvested in spring and summer can be put into use immediately, while those cut in winter are first warmed up.The workpiece is cleared of bark, knitted in bunches and stored in a ventilated barn or attic. In winter they are steamed. This rod bends well and is very convenient to work with. If there is a lack of twigs, as well as to make the baskets lighter, the shoots are split in half. Potato baskets are usually woven from unpeeled twigs. Willow wood is used for rings and ribs, and thinner rods are used for weaving.
Sometimes hazel is used to make baskets and boxes. For this, hazel sticks 1.5-2 m long are harvested at the age of 4-6 years. Their diameter at the butt should be from 15 to 30 mm, and the sticks themselves should be straight, without knots or damage. The hazel shoot is cut with a knife or cut down with a hatchet at the very base, so that the butt part does not receive cracks.
Typically, material is prepared for several baskets at once. For beginners, we recommend cutting off a few extra blanks, since not every one will turn into a ring or make shingles the first time.
To make a small basket (for 3-4 liters of berries), it takes 2 hazel blanks for rings and 4-5 for shingles and ribs. Hazel has no waste, since after removing the shingles, the core is used for ribs. The shingles are obtained as follows. The hazel is first slightly bent at the knee along its entire length, and then an incision is made with a depth of 1-2 annual layers per ¼ of the length of the stick’s circumference. From the cut, as a result of bending, the shingles peel off. The hazel is taken under the arm and the shingles are carefully peeled off along the entire length. As you gain skill, this operation is performed more and more confidently. The main thing is to “feel the layer”. In the same way, shingles are torn off from the opposite side and from the sides.
The hazel shingles are completely removed from the entire workpiece. After peeling it with a knife, it is immediately used for weaving, since when it dries it becomes brittle. Making hazel shingles requires experience. Therefore, it is better to start weaving your first cat from willow twigs. In addition to willow rod and hazel shingles, the roots of pine, spruce and other trees are also used for weaving. Usually roots 0 to 10 mm are used. They are carefully removed from the ground and, without tearing them off, begin to be lifted in one direction and then in the other. Thus, sometimes it is possible to obtain a root 3-4 m long. It is split in half; peeled from the bark and used for weaving. Weaving from roots is quick, the products are light and elegant.
Nowadays, wire is sometimes used for rings and ribs, and artificial materials of different profiles (round, oval, flat) and colors are used for weaving. These materials, unlike natural ones, are recommended to be used during initial acquaintance with the design and weaving of baskets - for educational purposes. This braid is easy to unravel, and the material can be reused many times. Baskets woven using plastic materials look elegant, but they have significant drawback. It’s much more pleasant to pick and take a handful of berries from a koshik made from natural materials.
- Braiding the cross. We insert one ring at a right angle. Then we take the prepared rod (shingles, root) and, holding one end between the rings, we braid the cross, as shown in the photo. We tuck the end in and tighten it. We also braid the second cross.
- Next, insert the first three ribs on each side with sharp ends. We braid them first on one side and then on the other. We check whether both halves of the cat are symmetrical. To do this, tie a cord around the middle of the rib. If the contours of the future basket are successful, weaving continues. When the distance between the ribs increases, additional sections are inserted into the spaces between them.
- At the end of the weaving, when all the ribs are inserted, it may happen that the inner ring of the weaving comes to an end, but there is still a gap in the middle. In this case, it is necessary to align the basket along the entire length due to parallel additional weaving on each side. In this case, the ends of each twig (shingles or roots) are placed under the rib and cut off.
- When braiding the last rows, threading a twig between the ribs is reminiscent of sewing with a needle: it is pulled with force so that there is uniform density and symmetrical alternation. Finishing of a woven product involves removing burrs, cutting off the long ends of the rods, and cleaning with a file or sandpaper.
Try to weave the simplest cat basket. This is not just useful, but also a very exciting activity.
Victor 1 June 2012 15:56
This now rare art remains the preserve of knowledgeable masters, and what a pity that young people are becoming uninterested in it
Lizonka December 29, 2012 20:53
Let me disagree. I’m 14 years old and became interested in this business (but I really became interested in it as a business), but everything is on the blog for my parents, I want to help!
Vika November 12, 2014 11:23
I want to share with all housewives who, due to any circumstances, are forced to stay at home. You can also benefit from this, both moral and material. I started with basket weaving. First for their family, then they gave them as gifts, and then for a penny.
"SmolDachnik" - a portal on homestead farming, arrangement of a country house, cottage, garden, growing plants and flowers
Basket weaving is gaining popularity. Now it has become fashionable to place furniture and other handmade items in your house or apartment. It’s especially nice when they are made with your own hands, and not purchased ready-made in stores. You shouldn’t start with complex products; it’s better to choose something simple. For example, weave a basket.
Basket weaving material options
To weave a basket, you can use different materials, including newspaper tubes and plastic bottles. But most often, willow twigs are used. They are pre-harvested and soaked in water or saline, which gives them elasticity. Willow twigs are used to create various products: lampshades, furniture and more.
Wheat or barley straws can also be used. It is quite flexible, so it is convenient to work with it. Products made from this material are airy and have a beautiful golden color.
Birch bark is also suitable for weaving baskets. This material is suitable for children's creativity. Thanks to the unique pattern of birch bark, the products are unique.
But it is from the vine that the most durable baskets are made, which can be used for various purposes.
Master's secrets and tools for weaving baskets
Before you start weaving with wicker, you need to prepare the following tools:
- knives - it is recommended to use a tool of medium length and width with a moderate blade sharpness;
Advice! The knife should be so sharp that it can freely cut thin and medium rods at an angle, but not damage the wood when clearing the bark.
- pliers - it is impossible to work with wire without this tool, although it is used infrequently;
- Phillips screwdriver - self-tapping screws are used to attach the handle to the hoop;
- marking pencil - some elements in the weaving process require preliminary marking;
On a note! It is not necessary to use special marking pencils that are intended for construction work; you can purchase ordinary stationery ones.
- ropes - necessary for tying bunches of vines and fixing some elements;
- base board - the entire work process takes place on it;
Advice! It is desirable that the board be made of hard wood.
- tape measure - needed to mark the hoop;
On a note! It is allowed to use a construction tape measure or an ordinary soft centimeter. You can even use a simple rope for these purposes, which is wrapped around the hoop and then measured with a ruler.
- sandpaper - intended for processing parts in order to give them roughness;
- brushes and varnish - it is advisable to varnish the finished product;
- wire - used to temporarily secure certain elements;
Advice! It is advisable to prepare a soft wire made of aluminum or copper, having a diameter of about 2 mm.
- self-tapping screws - designed for attaching the handle.
On a note! If a fabric handle is provided, there is no need for self-tapping screws.
The diagram below shows the main weaving methods
Step by step weaving a basket from a vine
A master class for beginners on weaving an openwork basket from wicker is presented below. The following steps are performed step by step:
The wicker basket is ready.
Video with lessons on weaving an openwork basket
The Kovalenko brothers became famous in this craft. Many videos have been created with their participation. Below are some of them.
Video: how to weave the bottom of a basket.
Video: how to weave a basket handle.
The lessons of wicker weaving are described in detail in the book by Sidorenko N.V., which is called “Basket Weaving”. The author offers a practical guide with a step-by-step description. Here are the basics for a novice craftsman: preparation, collection of material, weaving process, visual diagrams.
The book can be downloaded in electronic version.
Photos of handmade wicker baskets
Wicker baskets look attractive and are prized for their handcrafted quality.
Ribbons can be used as decoration.
Baskets like the one in the photo are suitable for laundry.
And these are suitable for storing or transporting onions or garlic.
A variety of options allows you to use baskets for different purposes.
Wicker weaving is an interesting activity. It is possible to weave different products, including packaging containers, lampshades or furniture. It is worth noting that they are not the lowest cost. Weaving with wicker requires patience and time, which should be appreciated.
Simple and at the same time charming baskets made of wicker twigs are a trendy trend. They have an impressive history and were once quite a common item in the household. Now weaving willow baskets has been brought to the level of art. They can come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes and colors. Handmade work is not cheap, so why not try to make such a colorful and bright decorative element yourself, but also a convenient container for collecting mushrooms, berries, fruits, etc.
Material and tools
The technology for procuring raw materials remains the same. Modern craftsmen still use annual willow twigs of any type that grow in our country. Procurement of material can be carried out almost all year round, but ideally we recommend doing this in early spring or late autumn. Weaving willow baskets involves choosing long and straight, even shoots that have healthy wood, without knots and various growths. The thickness of the base of the rod should not be more than 1-1.2 cm. For simple baskets used on the farm, you don’t have to remove the bark, but if you plan to use it for decorative purposes, then this must be done.
The tools you will need are pruning shears and a sharp knife, pinches and splitters, and an awl.
Growing willow
Experienced craftsmen know that in order to create a beautiful product, you need to put in some effort. To obtain suitable material, they independently grow cultivated willow. To do this, prepared cuttings in early spring (immediately after the snow melts and the ground thaws) are planted in small ravines or lowlands with high humidity. Their length should be about 25 cm. If you plan to weave baskets from willow twigs as a long-term activity, rather than a one-time activity, we recommend using this method. Stick the cuttings into the ground at an angle of 45 degrees by 2/3 of the length at a distance of 50-70 cm from each other. If the outcome is favorable, within three years you will receive even twigs up to 2-2.6 m long. For work, cut them either in May before the flowering period, or in August, when fresh shoots grow. Up to 20 of them can form on one plant per season; leave 6-8 strong branches before winter.
Processing willow twigs
Weaving baskets from willow and wicker requires a certain preparation of the source material. The bark must be removed immediately from freshly cut shoots. If you did not do this on time, then the dried rods will have to be pre-moistened with water. Dry the peeled blanks for 5-6 days in the open air, but not in the sun, in the shade.
If you do not plan to use the material immediately, then there is no point in soaking it; the branches may turn black and deteriorate. They are dried and then stored in large bunches in a well-ventilated area. If necessary, the branches are soaked (but no more than a day), and as soon as they become elastic, they are wrapped in a damp cloth and removed from there as needed.
Autumn material procurement
In this case, you will need to soak the rods for 3-4 hours and then steam them. Then they should be cooled in water and the bark should be carefully removed using a pincer (special device). Sometimes weaving a willow basket is done using so-called ribbons, that is, rods split into 24 pieces. This technology will require some skill, and not everything will work out the first time. Use a special device - a splitter. You can make it yourself from hard wood or buy a metal or plastic one at the store. In order to split one rod into 4 parts, you need to make a cross-shaped cut and insert the wedge-shaped part of the splitter into it. As the tool moves deeper, the wood begins to separate.
Weaving willow baskets: how to make a flat bottom?
These models are intended mainly for collecting fruits, vegetables, berries, and mushrooms. In addition, you can use them for a picnic or put a vase of flowers inside. The algorithm of actions is as follows:
- The bottom begins to weave first. To do this, take eight branches of medium thickness. In four of them, make a slit in the middle with a knife and insert the remaining rods into it, as in the second photo.
- Carefully braid the resulting cross with two thin twigs. After you make 2-3 turns, separate the branches. You will get something like a sun with 16 rays. Weaving willow baskets for beginners seems quite complicated, but if you learn the technology once, you will not have any difficulties in the future.
- Next, braid each twig separately, try to place them at the same distance from each other. Make several rows. When the branches begin to run out, you will need to increase them further. You shouldn’t add two new twigs at the same time; it’s better to do it one at a time. Insert the new twig with its pointed end into the last two rows of the braid, as in the third photo (indicated by the arrow), and the old one can be cut off. Then weave two more rows using the twisted method, and then you can use the regular method. It consists of twisting a rod around the knitting needles from the outside and from the inside alternately.
- In total you have 16 rays, and this is not very convenient, so we recommend inserting the seventeenth. To do this, use an awl to place it between the rods of the last few rows and continue working until you get the bottom of the desired diameter. Weaving a willow basket with your own hands is a rather painstaking task that requires attentiveness and accuracy.
Moving to the walls
In order for the basket to have sides, you will need 17 even and not too thin rods. Sharpen the thick base with a knife. Place each rod in the weave along all the knitting needles. If you pay attention to the branches, you will notice that they are slightly curved, so place them with the concave side down.
Cut off the ends of the old rods with pruning shears right at the base. Next, take a new knitting needle, bend it to the left, pass it under two adjacent rods and bend it upward. Do this manipulation with all branches. Further weaving of willow baskets (photos of the process are presented in the article) is more understandable. Tie all the knitting needles from above into a bun - this will make the work easier.
Weaving walls
We recommend forming the walls using three rods, this way you will achieve a more beautiful base. To do this, place them along the knitting needles located next to each other (photo below). Take the left rod and carefully bend it to the right side in front of two adjacent branches and bring it behind the third, and then return forward. Repeat the same procedure with the remaining two. When you get two even and beautiful rows, you can untie the top bun. Further weaving of the willow basket with your own hands continues in a simple way. In this case, in the photo you see a French welt. It allows you to get a beautiful relief surface and at the same time does not cause difficulties even for beginners.
For each of the knitting needles you will need to add one more rod. Select approximately identical branches of the same length. Add them one at a time, ensuring that the direction of their growth goes along the left arm. Place the butt end of the rod behind the knitting needle, then bring it forward and place it behind the next one, as shown in the photo. Place the next willow twig behind the knitting needle on the right and continue adding new ones in the same order until the entire basket is woven.
Further actions consist of normal knitting. Start with any twig, braid it to the left side according to the same pattern: forward-back-forward. Next, take the right branch and use the same method around the entire circumference. You can extend the basket using a French welt to the height you require.
How to weave an edge?
When the required dimensions of the basket have been achieved, a completely reasonable question arises about how to complete this work and how. There are a variety of methods, and it is even possible that you will invent your own. This willow basket weaving involves the following completion method. Select one of the knitting needles and bend it down to the right, placing it behind the next two standing rods, then bring it out in front of the next pair and again behind one, first back and then forward. Repeat all this with the remaining racks. Carefully trim the ends of the branches from the inside of the basket. And now you have already received the finished product.
Making a handle
In order to do it, you will need a little more time and effort. For the main part of the basket handle, use a thick, flexible branch. First bend it and measure what size handle you need, cut off the excess. Sharpen the rod at the ends and insert it on opposite sides between the individual rods of the knitting. Next, prepare thin willow shoots, 4-5 pieces each. from each side. Insert them into the gaps near the ends of the handle. Wrap the twigs around a thick branch several times and thread the edges of the basket under the weaving. Bring them out and pull them up, and insert a thin twig next to it and wrap it around the braid of the handle, and carefully hide the ends, as shown in the figure.
This stage completes the weaving of willow baskets. It’s not all that difficult and anyone can do it with enough effort.
Spherical basket: how to weave?
It is based on a special frame consisting of a pair of round hoops. Thick steamed willow twigs are bent on some base shaped like a sphere; when they dry, they retain this shape. The circles are located perpendicular to each other. The horizontal hoop is fastened with a mustache and a thin willow twig. It is split from opposite sides with a knife. A vertical hoop is inserted into the resulting cracks at a right angle and secured with a mustache. The braid is made with strips of rods divided in two. Work begins from the place where the hoops intersect. The pattern of weaving baskets from willow of this type is somewhat different, but the principles are the same.
Pay attention to the first photo, it will help you get started correctly. After 4-5 rows of tape are laid at the intersection of the hoops, its ends need to be secured. Between the circles of thick twigs, ribs of six branches are laid. They are braided according to a simple pattern - in a spiral. As soon as the tape approaches the edge of the hoop, it is wrapped around it and continued in the opposite direction. As you move away from the finished handles, you will need to add new ribs.
Weaving baskets, dishes, furniture and other items from willow twigs is an interesting and exciting activity. Once you try it once, you are unlikely to be able to stop, and your hands will naturally reach for new work, and creative plans and ideas will arise in your head.
Weaving from vines requires careful preparation. The material used is willow twigs, which are pre-treated. Proper preparation for wicker weaving is a guarantee of obtaining high-quality and beautiful handmade products. You can use this material to make a variety of things, from an ordinary basket to furniture.
Preparing material for weaving from willow twigs
Vine is a natural material that does not break when bent and remains straight in its normal state. Thanks to these properties, it is suitable for weaving various products. What exactly are they made from? It is customary to use a willow twig completely covered with bark as a vine. It is considered to be the most flexible.
On a note! One basket requires approximately 200 rods, considering that many break.
It is advisable to look for material near water. In such places the rods are long and flexible. If you choose them without leaves, they will be smooth after cleaning. Before cutting the material, it is advisable to test it for flexibility. This can be done simply by wrapping the vine around your finger. The cut is carried out in one fell swoop with a knife. If leaves are present, they can be removed immediately at the collection site. To do this, you need to run your fingers along the willow twigs, starting from the thick end.
Preparing the vine for weaving
After harvesting, the willow branches are not yet ready for use. It is necessary to prepare them. First they are dried and then laid out in the sun in a thin layer. This ensures that the wood under the bark will remain its color unchanged. After drying, the material should be “revitalized” by lowering one end (thick) of it into water. It should be at room temperature. Thanks to this, the movement of juice will resume, and the bark will be easily removed.
You need to soak the vine for about two weeks, periodically adding water as it decreases. If after this period the bark comes off well, you can remove it. Otherwise, you will have to continue soaking. If you cannot remove the bark as a result, it is better not to try, but to leave it. This material is suitable for weaving a rough basket.
If the bark comes off, the cleaned branches are dried and stored under a shed. Before starting work, the vine is lowered into the water again, only this time in its entirety.
Stages step by step: how to weave from willow twigs
On a note! For the 1st lesson, weaving a simple product is suitable. You shouldn’t immediately take on, for example, making baskets. After gaining experience, you can proceed to more complex things, for example, furniture.
How to create a decorative wreath with your own hands? For beginners, a step-by-step master class is presented:
Photos and videos of the wicker weaving process
You can watch the video below. The Kovalenko brothers teach chair weaving lessons.
Most often, all kinds of baskets are made from this material. They can be large, which are used to carry various vegetables, fruits and other products, or decorative.
If you have patience, the basket is quite easy to weave. The following parts are created one by one:
- Frame for walls.
- The walls themselves.
- Fastening the walls.
- Bending.
- Pen.
Here are some diagrams as an example.
The easiest way is to weave a handle. When the main part of the product is ready, its implementation will seem like a small thing.
Handles should be made from the most flexible branches.
The principle is to wrap the vine around a branch that is pre-attached to the base.
It is desirable that the turns of the rods pass at approximately the same distance from each other.
On a note! There are several types of this craft, which differ in technology. For beginners, the simplest one is suitable, which uses one rod that goes around the racks on each side in turn. There are also such methods: a rope in two or three rods, layer by layer.
Video: bottom weaving lessons from Liliya Ulanova.
Photos of finished wicker work from wicker
You can create almost anything from willow. It could be a boat, furniture, sled, or just decorative items. The products look extraordinary and are valued for their handmade work and attractive appearance.
Safety is of no small importance. Such things are made exclusively from natural materials, without the use of synthetic substances.
Many people have a wicker basket or other useful things made from wicker, but in most cases they are bought ready-made in a store. But if the products are made with your own hands, it is doubly pleasant. To master the technology, you can watch video tutorials. Weaving with wicker requires patience and perseverance, but the result is worth it.
Wicker furniture creates a special sunny mood in the house. It is not only beautiful and elegant, but also durable and comfortable. Despite the apparent complexity, you can make such furniture yourself. The main thing is to know some of the features of weaving.
The most popular material for wicker furniture is willow.
Preparation of raw materials for work
The branches of many plants are used for weaving, but the most popular is willow. The thinner the core of the rod, the better the quality of the raw material. Rods with a thick core are also suitable for work. They are used to make the basis for large products. But for openwork and airy creations, it is best to choose a material with a thin “heart”. When harvesting, you should also pay attention to the width of the willow leaf. The narrower it is, the more elastic the vine will be and the more openwork the weaving will be.
Raw materials can be harvested from October until the onset of severe frosts, as well as in the spring. During this period, the rods are well cleaned.
Tools for weaving from willow: A - knife, B - pinch pin, C, D - splinter and work with it, D - flat planer, E - edge planer.
Before you start making furniture from willow, you should decide how it will be made. There are two types of wicker furniture: frameless and stick. The peculiarity of the first type is that ordinary sticks are used in the manufacturing process. In the finished structure they play the role of stiffeners. In products made by the second method, a supporting structure is constructed from sticks.
You can weave furniture in different ways. The main types are single, openwork and combined weaving. They allow you to create both integral surfaces and create patterns.
To fasten parts of wicker products, two types of joints are used: detachable and permanent. The first method will be convenient when you plan to disassemble the furniture, for example, for transportation. However, it should be noted that it is rarely used. The second type of connection is more popular. In this case, conventional fasteners (nails, glue) are used, which makes the finished structure more durable. Plus, this method is much easier to use, especially for a novice weaver.
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Frame making
You can make any thing from willow branches with your own hands. A small wicker sofa will always be appropriate both in a country house and on a balcony in a city apartment. To do such a necessary thing, you need to prepare. To work you will need:
- Willow twigs.
- Strong sticks with a diameter of 25-30 mm.
- Sandpaper.
- Hammer.
- Sharp knife.
- Secateurs or scissors for cutting twigs.
- Roulette.
- Self-tapping screws and small nails for fastening.
- Hacksaw.
- Glue.
- Screwdriver.
- Stain.
- Foam rubber and fabric for draping the seat.
First you need to prepare the material. Remove the bark from sticks and twigs and leave them to dry. Before starting work, lightly sand the raw material to protect your hands from splinters.
Elements of wicker furniture frames: 1 – sub-brace, 2 – sub-brace, 3 – crosspiece, 4 – horseshoe-shaped leg, 5 – U-shaped leg, 6 – I-beam, 7 – I-beam with two longitudinal rods.
Making a sofa begins with creating a frame. For the future seat, 4 blanks are cut from prepared sticks: 2 x 600 mm and 2 x 400 mm. You need to fasten them together with self-tapping screws to form a rectangle.
To make the sofa more stable, it is better to install 3 legs in front and behind. For the front legs, cut blanks of a length that corresponds to the distance from the seat to the floor, for example, 400 mm. They should be attached with self-tapping screws to one side of the seat frame at an equal distance, in this case every 200 mm.
As for the rear legs, then the height of the backrest must be added to the height from the seat to the floor. For example, a height of 250 mm is selected. Then you should prepare 2 legs of 650 mm each, which will be fixed on the sides. It is better to make the leg that will be installed in the middle higher, for example, 750 mm. This will allow you to make the back with a beautiful curve. Attach the legs to the seat frame.
To decorate the backrest, you need to cut a blank that will be longer than the seat. Using self-tapping screws, secure it to the upper ends of the rear legs. The result will be a back in the form of an arc.
The frame needs to be stiffened. The same sticks that were used for the frame itself will act as stiffening ribs. Be sure to mount them at the same height. First, the lateral and middle legs are fastened together. To secure these stiffeners, it is necessary to attach 2 blanks along the length of the seat. The next step is to connect the outer legs with the middle back one. The blanks are attached diagonally. The edge that will be attached to the outer legs should be placed at the level of the rib that fastens the back and front legs, and the other should be slightly below the seat.
