Divan and tray
by brae
I had no idea what a divan was, but when I saw one in Dolls' House Furniture: Easy-to-make projects in 1/12 scale by Freida Gray I knew I had to have one. :D

I opted for the same fabric that I used for the entryway chair. I used the instructions in the book as a starting point but ended up making my divan a different size and height. I also changed the way it was put together compared to the book's construction.
I eyeballed the size I wanted and cut the top and base from 1/2" balsa. I added a frame of 1/4" balsa to the base to make it thicker.

I used 1/2" wood blocks for the feet, painting them Bittersweet Chocolate by Americana.

I hemmed a strip of fabric and wrapped it around the base, leaving just a tiny bit of the legs exposed.

This project was made much easier by using Peel-n-Stick Fabric Fuse. It's an adhesive on a paper backing that you stick on, peel away the backing to expose the other side of the adhesive and then press in place. It comes in different widths; I bought a 5/8" wide roll. I tacked the excess fabric on top of the base with tacky glue and set it aside.
I put a thin layer of batting on the top piece.

I have a vintage Tot 50 stapler by Swingline, and this is the first time I've used it in years. :] It made it very easy to upholster the top and get a taught surface over the batting.

I glued the top to the base with tacky glue and set the assembly aside.
In order to create the band to cover the seam between the top and bottom pieces, I used a strip of crinoline covered by fabric. Crinoline is a stiff fabric that makes it very easy to get a crisp band of fabric with no wrinkles.

I used the Peel-n-Stick fabric fuse to attach the band. There is a seam for both the bottom fabric and the band, but you would have that on a real life upholstered piece as well.
I love it! :] It now serves as the coffee table for the study.
The green of the divan fabric brings out the green in the Bespaq plaid furniture in the room.
The tray is a replica inspired by the shabby chic trays made by Pei Li, an artisan who makes some absolutely beautiful 1:12 scale miniatures.













02/15/10 07:17:42 pm,