Thursday, May 2, 2013

Woven-back Bench

A few weeks ago, a new plan appeared on Ana White’s page for a Woven-back bench, and I was smitten!

Red Hen Home woven bench 5

I promptly e-mailed my friend for whom I have built a table, buffet, coffee table, and the gray bench, knowing she was on the look-out for a bench to put outside at her new home…I’m nice like that.   She fell in love with it too, so I had an excuse to build!

The construction of the body of the bench is pretty straight-forward.  One tricky part is that the back pieces are cut out of a 2x4 to have an angle to them, which makes the back much more comfortable!  I traded homemade bread for another go at the band saw, like I did for this project

I’m thinking a Mother’s Day band saw sounds nice…

Sorry I forgot to take a picture of that piece, but I was pretty proud of myself for cutting them, so you at get to hear about it anyway!

The beautiful woven back was challenging, but fun!

Red Hen Home bench back 1

I’m learning that for these angled pieces, it’s easiest to cut one angle, hold the piece in place, and then make a pencil line where the other angle goes.

Red Hen Home bench back 2

Everything fits better, and I make fewer mistakes that way!

Red Hen Home bench back 3

I had NO desire to drill ninety-eleven pocket holes to hold all these short pieces together…

And that may be (in some measure) due to the fact that while drilling pocket holes, I caught a still-spinning drill bit in my jeans just behind my right knee.  I was left with a good-sized hole in my jeans, but thankfully a much smaller one in the skin behind them!

…so after dry-fitting everything, I used glue and 2” brad nails to hold it all together.  Then I could slip everything back in place.

Red Hen Home bench back 4

Ta-da!  I took a picture of it and sent it to my friends!  I’m geeky like that.

Red Hen Home bench unfinished

The most frustrating part??  Running out of boards to finish the seat!  But I still posted a sneak peak on Facebook!

My friend wanted a dark walnut stain.  I learned another lesson…staining all those short pieces BEFORE assembly would have been a good idea!  There were a lot of little corners to get in to.

Red Hen Home woven bench 2

One change I made to the plans was to add a 2x4 cross brace under the middle of the seat (it runs perpendicular to the seat slats, and attaches by pocket holes to the front and back frame pieces).  When my 100-lb son sat down and it made an ominous creaking sound…I decided a little extra support was in order!  Now we can both sit on it, and it’s quiet as can be!

Red Hen Home woven bench 3

It looked so inviting, I thought I’d “break it in” for my friend and have a little snack out on the bench on a beautiful day…

Red Hen Home woven bench 4

…but I took too long snapping pictures, and one of the local wildlife got to my snack first!!

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Thanks to Elizabeth & Co. for featuring this project!

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Linking up here:
Domestically Speaking Elizabeth & Co.
Primitive & Proper Thrifty Décor Chick
Friday Remodelaholic  
My Simple Home Life’s Simple Creations Friday Miss Mustard Seed’s Furniture Feature Friday
Funky Junk’s Saturday Night Special The DIY Show Off
Beyond the Picket Fence Coastal Charm
Knick of Time
Mod Vintage Life
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Perfectly Imperfect Sawdust Throwdown
Common Ground My Repurposed Life
From My Front Porch to Yours All Star Block Party
A Little Knick Knack
The Scoop!
 

32 comments:

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

Gee, Korrie, I wish I had a friend like you! : ) I'd have you building stuff for me all the time. This bench is gorgeous and I'm sure your friend is going to love it.

Rachel said...

Since I'm not wood working savvy, what do you mean when you said you put a 2x4 cross beam underneath. Where and how? At an angle under the seat? Right under the seat? Lame people (me :D ) want to know.

Twice Nice said...

Gosh that is gorgeous! I think all those little cuts would intimidate me, but they sure make this bench special! I so wish I had your talents with the wood working tools!

Yvonne @ StoneGable said...

Goodness, this bench is a work of woodworking art! I love the back!!! I hope your band saw dreams come true!

Mimi said...

Beautiful bench!

Cassie Bustamante said...

now that is some serious talent! and also that is one adorable kiddo!

Unknown said...

That's beautiful! You are so smart! I need one of those for my front porch.

Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co. said...

Oh Korrie, you really out-did yourself on this one! That is one gorgeous bench! I've said it before, you have mad skills girl!

Unknown said...

Spettacolare,bravissima è bellissima!!
Un abbraccio dall'Italia!!
Sabry!!

Full Circle Creations said...

Your bench turned out wonderful! Great job!

Gypsy Heart said...

Would you like to have all of us campaign for you to have a new band saw? I think there's power with all these women on board! :)

Korrie, you've created some amazing pieces but I do think that, so far, this is the BEST! Love the back and you did an exceptional job of staining it. If I lived closer, I would order one in a heartbeat!

Stunning piece!
xo
Pat
P.S. WHEN on earth do you have time to bake bread? ;-)

Gypsy Heart said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Bliss said...

I made a bench last week too, for my porch, out of an old bunk bed top. Nothing near as detailed as yours and I don't have a giant muffin to snack on either!

Bliss

CELIA said...

I´am stunned with your hability, comgratulations!
Célia
http://www.celiamartins.blogspot.com.br/

ANNE said...

Adore!!! Love that pattern. Can't even imagine tackling this without a bandsaw, so good on you for um borrowing one!

You rock!!

Rachel said...

Gah! Why did you have to post a gorgeous project and exactly what I've been scouring CList for?! Now I have to build one.... Thanks for the tips! ;) Great job! ~Rachel @ The Olde Farmhouse

Anonymous said...

SpecTACular job Korrie!
This is mY kind of project!
-So sorry you got an on-the-job injury, I once caught a ricochet 16 gauge brad, through-and-through 2 fingers~ouchie! No pAIn~no gAIn, huh?!
Catherine

Cher-Ann Texter said...

Gorgeous ~ What a fantastic job! The finish is wonderful! Stopping by from My Repurposed Life's Catch as Catch Can 120...

Cher @ Designs by Studio C
http://designsbystudioc.com

Unknown said...

""local wild life"" !!!!! LOL

Love it. Seriously... your work is crazy amazing. I feel like I have had a front row seat watching you search and discover a passion that you are great at! Mad talent my dear... mad talent.

Miss Charming said...

I love the intricate back on this bench, Korrie. That technique would also look great on a headboard. So awesome! (You continue to amaze with your mad skills!) And such a sweet little model, too.

Ali Richardson said...

WOW!!! Amazing! That is prettier than any of the ones I see for sale in the stores. Well done!

Linda@Coastal Charm said...

Korrie,
Oh my...you did an outstanding job on this classic bench...it looks GREAT!!!!

Blessings,
Linda

Homeroad said...

OMG you are sooo a pro Korrie! That bench is awesome!
Susan

Nicole@nicole-southerncharm.com/ said...

Wow this is amazing! I love the look! I am a new follower from southern charm! I would love for you to check out my blog and follow me back! Nicole

Unknown said...

Wow, love the bench!! Great work! :0)
Kim

Debra@CommonGround said...

I'm just going to call you "Superwoman"! your furniture making skills are just amazing!! love your tables too!

Loribeth Clark said...

Looks great!! You are far more ambitious than I am!!
You sure do have some cute wildlife in your area!!

Mindi@MyLove2Create said...

It is Beautiful!!! When Ana posted this I wanted to build it too!! I just haven't found my excuse yet, I am glad you did!!! Great job!! I love the step by step pictures!

Kris @ Driven by Décor said...

I'm in awe over your bench - totally, 100% impressed!!

Debbie @ MeandMyDIY said...

Oh...that was YOUR bench! Well, congratulations on the feature over at Elizabeth & Co. (and more, I'm sure) as you certainly deserve it.The bench is just BEAUTIFUL! Will you make one for me? ;) Ana White's plans are amazing, I've been thinking about attempting one of them for my son's bedroom. Have a great day!

Debbie

Remodelaholic said...

Korrie! I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS! If you wanna do a guest post over on Remodelaholic will you let me know, and I will get you the details! cassity@remodelaholic.com

Unknown said...

Hi Korrie,
I work with Cassity at Remodelaholic and, as Cassity said above, we'd love to feature this bench! I've emailed you (from hello@remodelaholic.com) but never heard back so I'm wondering if my message was caught in the spam filter. Could you drop me a line at hello@remodelaholic.com if you are interested in having us feature you on Remodelaholic? Thanks!