Teacher Talk: How to make a crate seat

Have you ever wanted to make a crate seat? Well...now is the time to do it! Get it done before you go back to school and add a special touch to your classroom. I will make sure the steps are easy peasy lemon squeezy for you. I'll even include pictures. It only takes about 15 minutes to make one...depending on how handy you are with that staple gun ha!

Materials:

*staple gun

*hot glue gun (only needed if you plan to use ribbon)

*fabric of your choice

*ribbon of your choice (optional)

*wood $14.97 (I brought in my crate to Lowes and asked them to cut a piece of wood for me to fit the crate. From one huge piece of wood I was able to get 4 smaller pieces to make 4 crate seats.)

*regular-density foam 2" X 15" X 17" (This can be found at JoAnns or Michaels. Remember to use your teacher discount! It doesn't matter how thick your foam is. I sat on the foam in the middle of the store to see how comfortable it was first. The thicker foam is more comfortable. :) I did have to cut the foam to fit the size of the wood.)

Tips: We all need them sometimes!

1. Pick a fabric that you can use with your theme every year. The first year I made these I used a bright rainbow fabric. That does not go very well with my theme this year so I had to recover them. Black, blue, and green are the three best colors to pick (my opinion).

2. Wear gloves when you are carrying the 4 pieces of wood home. I got a couple of splinters. Ok...this isn't the best tip. Ha!

3. Put Scotch Gaurd on your crate seat after you make it. I got so many stains (dry erase marker, glue, etc) on the first one I made and I wish someone would have told me this. Boo!

4. Think about what you want to use these crate seats for before you make them. It's so much easier to buy all of the fabric and wood at one time. I like to use them for my guided reading table and for special spots around the classroom. Everyone wants to sit in these seats during independent reading. Yes, everyone!

5. If you have a dog that sheds, do not make the crate seat near them. I usually have to use a lint brush to get off the hair because it sticks very easily to fabric. Ugh!

Steps: YOU CAN DO IT!

1. Line up the foam to fit the wood and cut. You are going to want to cut off the extra foam. If you do not cut off the extra foam, it will not fit in your crate. Do not worry...it does not have to be exact. All I had on hand was a small pair of scissors...boo! It doesn't matter how the foam looks because it will be covered with material. :)

2. Lay out your fabric and place the foam on top. Then, place the wood on top of the foam. That was easy right?

3. Staple away!! Make sure to pull the fabric flat so it isn't loose.

Fold the fabric over like you are wrapping a present.

I tend to go overboard on the staples. Remember it doesn't matter what the bottom looks like.

4. Optional...add ribbon. I like to add ribbon because it makes it easier to take the cushion off of the crate. Staple the ribbon to the bottom of the wood on each side. Make sure it is lined up the way you want before you staple.