FOR THE HANDYMAN

Evening Star, Issue 22248, 28 January 1936, Page 2

FOR THE HANDYMAN

HOW TO' MAKE A DIVAN BACK-REST AND CUSHION This useful back rest will be greatly appreciated for use with a divan. It is easily adjusted, and the padded cushion is not only effective, but also gives very comfortable support. Any kind of wood can be chosen to suit the room, but white deal is reasonable, strong, and can be stained or painted as desired. The following pieces are required:— Back frame: Two pieces for the sides, 21in by 2in by fin; one piece for the top, 13Jin by 2in by Sin; one piece for the bottom, 13Jin by 2Jin by Jin. Back flap: Two pieces 16in by IJin by Jin; one piece 12Jm by IJin by Jin. Props; Two pieces 9in by IJin by Jin. Cross bar: One piece llin by IJih by Jin. TO MAKE UP THE FRAMES. Test the corresponding pieces by placing them .together, on the table. They must be exactly the same size. Take the four pieces that make the back frame, and fix each corner with a Jin ash dowel and a setew (Sin, No, 8). Glue the joint and countersink for the head of the screw. If possible, cramp up. The two lengths for the back flap are each cut with shoulders; first shoulder along Sin; second, 7Jin; third, 10in; fourth, 12jin. Allow lin back and 3-Bin deep. See that both pieces are the same, and keep true to the top edge. Make cuts with a saw, then chisel to the saw mark from the square. Fix the hinges (Ifin galvanised backflaps) flush with the ends. Fit the cross piece llin up (level with the square of the third shoulder) and fix it with a dowel and a screw. Glue the joints. Shape the end for the props as for the shoulder lin back and 3-Bin deep. Make holes in the props sin up and set in crossbar as before. Fix the props 6in up the back frame on the inside thickness with 2Jin Scotch screws (Jin), and set the hinges on to the back frame IJin from the edge. Clean off, level with the smoothing plane, stain or paint as desired. FIXING THE SPRING WIRES. Screw in hooks (five on each side). Cut the expanding wires 2in shorter than the length, screw in the rings, and hook across, threading the wires over and under each other alternately. THE CUSHION. Measure the back frame, 18in by 21in. Cut two pieces of material 19iu by 22in, and a strip 2in wide to go all round for the border. Make the inside cover in soft unbleached calico or casement cloth. Set the border round one piece (beginning in the centre of one side, not at the corner). Clip the border at the corners to. make a good turn. Stitch. Set the other piece to the other side of the border in the same manner, leaving* 6in open on one side to take the stuffing. Stitch, turn, and press the seams well out. To fill the cushion, take about IJlb of kapok. Pack the corners well first, then the sides, and lastly the centre. Fill evenly. Stitch up. Beat lightly to shape. To prevent the stuffing from dropping when the cushion is in position, take some waxed thread (carpet thread) and stitch through the cushion with 2in stitches and 3in away from the edge, then down the centre and across, forming squares. This keeps the padding in place.

The cover can be made in material to match the room, or a very effective ■way is to quilt it in the niachine on glazed chintz. Cut two pieces lin smaller than the inside cover, but the border the same width. Cut an exra piece for the flap-over, Sin deep and the same width as the cover.

To quilt: Take one piece and tack on the wrong side a thin layer of sheet wadding, skin side outside. Use a quilting foot on the machine (this foot is much shorter, so that the pattern is more easily followed; it is also more raised, allowing for the thickness of the wadding). Use a larger stitch and varied cleared cottons. Work round the design, pull the threads through to the back and fasten off.

To make up the cushion, first take the flap-piece and lay it in position on the top of the right side of the back. Tack in place. Make up the cushion with the border as before, leaving the lower end open—-not only 6in. If desired, the cushion can be wrapped in sheet wadding, and the corners slightly stuffed before being put into the case, but this should not be necessary. Slipstitch the lower end, set the flap over the back frame of the rest, and all is complete.—(Olive Hacking, in ‘ Homes and Gardens.’) GALVANISED IRON PRICES. It is understood that measures are to be taken to ensure something like uniformity of price for galvanised iron in sheets and corrugated throughout the Dominion, thus giving an equal margin of profit to all merchants, irrespective of localities.