Canvas stool

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tim_n

Full Member
Feb 8, 2010
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Essex
Far North bushcraft YouTube channel showed off a canvas stool project with measurements. As I'm off to Finland with Wayne Jones (forest knights bushcraft expedition - still a few spots left!) I thought it'd be nice not to sit on the floor, but have a very lightweight stool which was airline friendly.

The first was pretty scruffy due to me working out the settings and other issues around the bonded nylon thread tearing. Turned out I needed a 110/18 singer needle with a groove to enable the thread to not tear after every 8th stitch!

The 1st was ok after the change of needle, but was a bit messy. Both (Inc 2nd pictured below) I made relied on a single flap of fabric. This did not work out as you can see by the attached photos. The canvas ripped on its 2nd use.

The 3rd I sewed a hem for strength in the corners. This worked well and greatly increased the strength
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John Fenna

Lifetime Member & Maker
Oct 7, 2006
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Nice work!
These stools are good for short time use - but I need a chair with a back if I am going to get seriously relaxed... leaning one up by a tree works to a good degree :)
 
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tim_n

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Feb 8, 2010
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Nice work!
These stools are good for short time use - but I need a chair with a back if I am going to get seriously relaxed... leaning one up by a tree works to a good degree :)
I was "torn" between this and a hammock chair, but trying to keep bulk down so it's either one or t'other!

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John Fenna

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To help stop the legs digging into the ground I have found that a cord tied between the feet (clove hitches on each leg) so that it is tight when the legs are spread works quite well - it also helps take some strain off the seat "pockets" by not allowing the upper ends of the tripod to "overspread" under load....
 
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tim_n

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Feb 8, 2010
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Essex
To help stop the legs digging into the ground I have found that a cord tied between the feet (clove hitches on each leg) so that it is tight when the legs are spread works quite well - it also helps take some strain off the seat "pockets" by not allowing the upper ends of the tripod to "overspread" under load....
Good tip that! Thanks

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Woody girl

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Mar 31, 2018
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I tried to make one of these last summer. It was made very quickly the night before a trip very late at night and basically thrown together.
First try at assembly I didn't use strong enough cordage... ended up on the floor.

Second attempt at assembly one of the the sticks broke... ended up on the floor.

Third attempt at assembly cordage held, sticks held, but stitching failed... ended up on the floor.

Fourth attempt.. went and bought a camp chair! :) :) :)

I will have a go at making another one this year as the bruising has now gone. Steep learning curve!
 

Erbswurst

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Mar 5, 2018
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Do you think that the fabric of normal polycotton trousers would be strong enough?

I think about making one
and landing on the floor.
 

tim_n

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Can you double it over? Don't forget to round over the sticks...!

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Woody girl

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I'd say use cotton canvas like deck chair material or perhaps repurpose an old camping chair seat? It needs to be strong to support your weight. Also use a very strong thread. One that you cannot break with your hands, and is a decent thickness. Otherwise the stitching will fail..... talking from experience! I will be double stitching my next one. ie two rows of stitching for each hem. I realy don't want to end up on the floor again!
 
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tim_n

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Feb 8, 2010
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Essex
I'm using nylon bonded thread. I double stitched the hems and reinforced each "joint" by going over it two or three times. Good luck stitching four layers of canvas on a standard machine. I used a manual crank 1938-40 201 singer.

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Woody girl

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Mine is an old hand crank singer too. I'm thinking of using a leather sewing needle as I picked up a pack for a few pence at a charity shop. They are made to cut through the leather so I figure they might work on the deck chair material which I used last time, as I just about managed with a normal needle as long as I took care and went slow on the thicker sections.
 

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