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Make a Dolls House Child's Chair From Toothpicks and Wooden Stir Sticks

By , About.com Guide

10 of 10

Add the Leg Braces And The Back To the Dolls House Child's Chair
Leg braces cut from toothpicks are glued between the legs of a dolls house scale child's chair.

Leg braces cut from toothpicks are filed on each end to make a semicircular indent to hold them firmly against the chair legs.

Photo copyright 2008 Lesley Shepherd, Licensed to About.com Inc.

When the legs are securely glued in place, measure the space between the front legs just above the decorative ends. Cut a short piece of plain round toothpick slightly to large to fit between the legs.

Use a round needle file to carve a hollow across both ends of the brace piece, make sure the hollow runs the same direction on both ends. This hollow will help the brace fit securely against the legs and hold them in place to strengthen the construction.

Repeat this step for the brace between the back legs, lining it up so it fits at the same height as the brace on the front legs.

Cut similar bracing for the side legs, this time cutting it so it fits above the bracing on the front and back.

Run a small bead of glue into the hollow ends on each brace and glue them in place on the legs, set the leg and seat assembly aside to dry.

Glue The Chair Back in Place When the legs and braces are securely dried, add a small amount of glue to the base of each tenon on the back of the chair, and carefully insert it into the chair seat, holding the seat, not the legs, while you fit it in place. Try to set the back at a slight angle more than 90 degrees from the chair seat. Wipe off any excess glue and leave the chair to dry.

When the chair is dry, you can use your choice of finishes to paint it, or use wood stain and a clear finish.

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