Plate 1

A Project which never fails to interest the boys and one of which they are sure to be proud when it is completed is the little footstool. As shown with dowel joints it is very easy to construct and very serviceable. If preferred, it can be made with the mortise-and-tenon joint in place of the dowel joint. Another change that might be made is the using of cleats to support the top board instead of rabbeting the rails. The top of the posts can be given a number of different shapes according to the ability of the worker.

The upholstering takes considerable care to be a success. Genuine leather may be used as a cover or one of the imitation leathers, of which that known as Chase leather is excellent. If this is used as shown in the drawing, going clear over the rails, a piece about 16 by 20 inches will be needed. Instead of doing this a piece about 11 by 15 inches may be used and brought down but a half inch over the rails. In this case it will be necessary to finish the edge with a piece of gimp. For padding either tow, moss or curled hair may. be used and the amount will depend upon the material. From a half pound of tow to three-fourths of a pound of curled hair will be ample. The first step will be to lay a stick about an inch thick lengthwise of the stool on the rails. Over this is stretched a piece of muslin 11 by 15 inches which is temporarily tacked in place along the upper edge of the long rails. The stick can now be removed and the padding forced in from both ends until the top is neatly rounded into shape. A tack is first placed in the center of each of the shorter sides which may now be tacked in place by working from the center toward the corners. Any large lumps in the top can be removed by loosening the tacks on the long sides and stretching the muslin tighter over the lumps. The corners are the last to be tacked in place and can be fitted by making a 45-degree cut just far enough in from the outside corner to make a tight fit around the post. Care must be taken to get plenty of padding in the corners. All tacks may now be driven home and the leather put in place much like the muslin, working from the center of the sides toward the corners. The leather is held in place by ordinary tacks driven in the under edge of the rails, or along the upper edge of the rails where the leather does not cover them. Any extra leather should be trimmed off with sharp knife and the large gimp tacks put in for ornament. Where it is desired to have the top especially smooth and free from bumps some cotton batten should be placed under the leather.