The mission settee shown in the accompanying picture should be made of
quarter-sawed white oak. The material needed will be as follows:
4 posts, 3-1/4 by 3-1/4 by 36-1/2 in., S-4-S.
4 end rails, 1-1/2 by 5 by 32 in., S-4-S.
12 end slats, 5/8 by 3-1/2 by 24 in., S-4-S.
1 front rail, 1-1/2 by 7 by 87 in., S-4-S.
1 lower back rail, 1-1/2 by 9 by 87 in., S-4-S.
1 upper back rail, 1-1/2 by 12 by 87 in., S-4-S.
2 cleats for seat frame, 1-1/2 by 2 by 82 in., S-4-S.
2 cleats for seat frame, 1-1/2 by 2 by 32 in., S-4-S.
[Illustration: Mission Settee Made of Quarter-Sawed Oak]
On account of the unusual width of the pieces that go into the makeup of
this settee, it will be necessary to have the wood thoroughly seasoned
before putting them together, otherwise shrinkage will cause them to
crack open.
Begin work by making the ends of the settee first. Cut the posts to
length, chamfering both top and bottoms somewhat so that they shall not
splinter or cause injury to the hands. Next lay out and cut the mortises
as shown on the drawing. With the posts finished, lay out the end rails,
cutting the tenons and the mortises into which the ends of the slats are
to be fitted.
It should be noted that the drawing calls for the "setting in" of the
whole of the ends of the slats, there being no shoulders. This is much
easier and gives just as satisfactory a result, provided the sides of
the mortises are carefully cut.
Thoroughly scrape and sandpaper all these parts and then put the ends
together. In addition to the glue it will be well to through pin each of
the tenons and mortises. These pins may be put in flush and permanent on
the ends of the settee. On the side rails, however, the pins are to be
allowed to project so that they can be removed, and no glue is used in
the joint.
While the glue of the ends is hardening, prepare the rails of front and
back. Scrape and sandpaper these and when the clamps can be removed from
the ends put the whole frame together. The ends of all projecting tenons
are chamfered.
The illustration shows a loose leather cushion. There is quite a variety
of materials out of which such a cushion can be made. The best, of
course, is leather. In the highest class of furniture where loose
cushions are used, the seat base is formed by solidly mortising a frame
together on which is woven a heavy cane seating. This in turn is
fastened to the inside of the piece of furniture, and the cushions
when placed upon it make a very comfortable seat. The stock bill for
this settee calls for such a frame. Wood slats may be substituted if
desired.
[Illustration: Detail of the Oak Settee]
This piece of furniture will look well if finished in weathered oak. See
that all glue is removed from the surface, and that the wood is clean
and smooth, and apply a coat of weathered oak oil stain. Sandpaper this
lightly with No. 00 paper when the stain has thoroughly dried, and put
on a coat of lackluster or an equivalent.