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Tuesday, July 23, 2013

File Crate Seats!



Last year, when I accepted my first teaching position, I was in full swing on Pinterest searching for the best new ideas to use in my new classroom. 

File crate seats were ALL THE RAGE. And I understand why! They are so easy to make! [And pretty much the cutest things ever.] 

For some unknown reason [*first year teaching, overwhelmed, so much to do, what do all these acronyms mean?!, etc.*] I wasn't able to make them last year. 

Well, I finally got around to making them, especially since I'll be teaching FIRST GRADE this upcoming school year. I wanted some new seating in my classroom that wouldn't take up too much space that my students will be able to use for Read to Self time during Daily 5. These will work out perfectly! They are relatively small, and the best part is the storage that comes with them!

My journey to create these cute seats started at Walmart. What I got there:
File crates ($3.47 each) - $3.47! What a steal!
Foam- I got this in the fabric section. This foam is 1 inch thick. One roll was enough for 5 seats. If I end up making more seats, I'll need to buy another roll. 

Then, I took one of my crates and headed over to Home Depot, where I explained my project to a very helpful gentleman, who got me a sheet of OSB board and measured the inside lid of my crate! 
Here it is, waiting to be cut into smaller pieces.
He cut 18 total pieces, of which I only used 5. I'm considering making more seats what with all the residual board I have left! 

I found the cutest fabric at Joann's and I knew I had to use it for these seats. I bought 3 yards which was more than enough [I have no spatial awareness whatsoever].


Once I had all the materials [including a staple gun and adhesive spray] I was ready to get started!

This project could not have been easier. Take the wood and place it on the foam, tracing and cutting the foam around the shape of the wood. Spray adhesive on the wood, and adhere the foam. 

I cut enough fabric to have a couple of extra inches around each side of the board. Place the foam face down on the underside of the fabric, pull it tight, and staple away! 


I've seen other bloggers staple an extra bit of ribbon as a handle for easy lid removal, but I find it's pretty easy to reach through the handle and pop the top off. I'll give them a test run in my classroom and add the ribbon later if needed. I am super excited about how cute these turned out, and I can't wait to see them in my classroom!

                           
                 




Have you made crate seats? Did you make them in the same way? How are yours getting used in the classroom?

5 comments:

  1. I have not made crate seats, but I love that you did this tutorial. This is a craft that I really want to make for the upcoming school year!

    Jasmine
    Buzzing With Mrs. McClain

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  2. It looks fantastic! I'm thinking about making some...

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  3. Love the fabric on your create seats! I made them last year for my classroom and my students sit on them during guided reading and use them for independent reading and move them about the room.

    I am headed back into first grade this coming school year and I am very excited! Would love for you to head over and check out my blog! I am currently doing a give-away!

    Lindsay
    If You Give a Teacher a Treat

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  4. Love the idea...will use for Sunday class!

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