Crate Seats

Today was a very productive Saturday. While my husband and father-in-law were working on the deck, I completed my crate seat project. I am thrilled with how they turned out. I was planning to make six, but ended up making 8 because I had extra materials. I just have to head back to Target and get 2 more crates. I can’t wait to get them around my guided reading table and see how they look in my new classroom! And Meatball loves them, too!

Here is a step-by-step guide of how I made them:

1. Get your materials together. I bought my crates from Target for $3.49. Amazing deal! I saw the same ones at Kmart today for over $7! The fabric is from JoAnn Fabrics. I do not sew or do anything crafty with fabric so I had no idea what I was doing. I bought WAY too much fabric. I bought 6 yards, and I ended up getting 4 crates from one yard. (Any easy fabric projects out there?) Also, I wanted dog-themed for my classroom so I had to pay $5.99 a yard. I would suggest going to the clearance bin! The batting luckily was 40% off ($5.99 a yard). I bought 3 yards and that was perfect for 8 crates. The plywood was very easy to get. I went to Lowes and they cut it perfectly for FREE! The total price was $18.83 and we have some leftover pieces. If you have a store cut the plywood for you make sure you take the crate along. That way they can make sure it fits before you buy it. You will also need a staple gun. I borrowed mine from my father-in-law.

2. Cut the fabric and batting. I used a 1/2 yard square of fabric. It was just enough. The batting I cut in long strips the length of the wood, and I folded about four layers to make it nice and cushy.

3. Lay out the fabric upside down. Center the batting and plywood in the middle.

4. Now it is just like wrapping a present. I stapled the longer sides first. Then I stapled the shorter sides like you would the ends of a present. Pull the fabric tight so every side is nice and snug. I used plenty of staples just in case.

 

5. Turn it over and TA-DA! Mine were a little tight going into the crate. I don’t know if it was because of the fabric or what… but luckily the plastic crates expand a bit and they fit just fine.

Anyone else making these this summer? What are you going to store inside?