Children can use their dolls with scaled-down PVC doll furniture, such as swings and beds.
For children who love dolls, nothing completes their toy collection like functional doll furniture. Store-bought solutions can prove fragile and expensive. Homemade alternatives, such as those made from durable, affordable PVC pipe, can last a lifetime. You can also custom-decorate them to suit your child's tastes and interests. Chemically-compatible paints, as well as markers, glitter, rhinestones and a variety of other decorations, can be used on PVC pipe and sheeting to create beautiful, one-of-a-kind doll furniture.
Instructions
Two-Sided Swing
1. Create a rectangular frame from two pieces of 18-inch pipe and two pieces of 12-inch pipe, connected with three-way corner connectors. Build the remaining openings of each connector so they face the same direction. Repeat to create a second frame. Position the frames so the longer sides are upright and the shorter sides are parallel with the ground. Connect the two three-way corner connectors that touch the floor with six-inch pipe segments.
2. Connect two three-inch pipe segments with a T-connector. Repeat to create a second segment. Fit these segments between the top two three-way corner connectors so the middle T-connector opening faces the opposite connector.
3. Fit a 12 inch pipe segment between the two middle T connector openings. Place two snap-on T connectors approximately six inches apart in the center of the 12 inch pipe so that the T connectors face downward. Do not glue the snap-on connectors in place under any circumstances, or the swing will not be able to move.
4. Fit a 12-inch pipe segment in the downward facing snap-on T-connector openings. Place a T-connector on the bottom of the pipe so the two remaining openings are perpendicular to the pipe.
5. Insert a four-inch pipe segment into each of these openings. Place a 90-degree elbow connector on the end so the openings face the opposite side of the swing assembly. Connect with a six-inch pipe segment.
6. Create the wing seat by gluing a 4x6 inch piece of cardboard to the flat surface on either side of the downward swing bar. Glue a 3x6 inch piece of cardboard against both sides of the downward swing bars for a backrest.
Bed
7. Connect two 18-inch pipe segments and two 12-inch pipe segments into a rectangular shape using four three-way corner connectors. Make sure the middle opening of each corner connector faces upward. Orient the frame so a longer section is close to you. Swab the bottom of the pipes with PVC cement and quickly attach an 18x12 inch piece of PVC sheeting. Hold in place for 30 seconds.
8. Place a six-inch pipe segment into each upward facing opening. Place a T-connector on top of each pipe. The central opening should face the opposite side lengthwise.
9. Attach another six-inch pipe segment to the vertical T-connector openings on the left side. Place a 90-degree elbow connector on top of each pipe, with the openings angling toward each other. Connect with a 12-inch pipe segment. Swab the outside of each of these pipes with PVC cement and quickly attach a 12x12 inch piece of PVC sheeting, which will serve as the headboard. Hold in place for 30 seconds.
10. Insert a three-inch pipe segment into the vertical T-connector openings on the right side. Place a 90-degree elbow connector on top of each pipe, making sure the openings angle toward each other. Connect with a 12-inch pipe segment. Swab the outside of each of these pipes with PVC cement and quickly attach a 12x9 inch piece of PVC sheeting, with will serve as the foot board. Hold the sheet in place for 30 seconds.
11. Fit an 18-inch pipe segment into one of the remaining T-connector openings. Swab the outside of the 18-inch pipe segment, the six-inch pipes beneath it and the bottom pipe with PVC cement. Quickly attach an 18x6 inch piece of PVC sheeting to the glue and hold in place for 30 seconds. Repeat on the opposite side.
Tags: pipe segment, inch piece, 12-inch pipe, 18-inch pipe, corner connectors