Building a Queen Anne Chair

• 1). Purchase a Queen Anne chair pattern. It should include the design for the cabriole legs, seat, back and other elements. Select and purchase the upholstery and stuffing that you will use for the seat and back. A fine patterned silk is traditional to the time. Select and purchase the wood for the chair. Walnut is the authentic wood of the 1700s but any hard wood will work.
  
  
• 2). Use the ban saw to cut the blocks of wood as specified. The block sizes for the legs should be approximately 3.5 inches by 15 inches.
  
  
• 3). Trace the pattern of the legs, seat and back pieces on the corresponding pieces of wood. Be sure that the grain of the wood flows to the foot of the legs and downward on the back of the chair.
  
  
• 4). Cut the legs, seat pieces and back pieces using a ban saw or radial saw, whichever is appropriate. When necessary tape the pieces cut back onto the blocks of wood to act as guides for the additional cuts you have yet to make. This will be outlined in the pattern. After making all of the cuts, remove the masking tape.
  
  
• 5). Clamp the leg pieces to your work bench. Glue two blocks of wood to the top of each leg before carving. These should measure 1 3/4 inches by 2 inches by 2 3/8 inches. Using chisels or the spokeshave shave the wood to form the classic cabriole leg. Smooth the legs with sandpaper.
  
  
• 6). Cut and carve the design of the back rails or slats as indicated by the pattern using chisels and a radial saw as required.
  
  
• 7). Next form the back legs, rear seat rail and the top rail of the chair back and chair slats. Cut out the mortises and insert the base rail and the back legs. Place these pieces together with glue and clamp firmly. Let dry.
  
  
• 8). Shape the front rails of the seats around the leg joints and mortises and front legs. Use the clamps and the work bench to hold the pieces together with glue.
  
  
• 9). Piece the front of the chair and back of the together with glue. Clamp and let it dry thoroughly.
  
  
• 10
  
  Upholster the material and stuffing to the seat of the chair using staples. Be sure to pull the material down tight over the stuffing. When finished, test by sitting in the chair. Relax and enjoy.