If you’d like a cedar chest, there’s still hope

Traditionally, a cedar chest (or “hope chest”) was used to store linens that made up part of a bride’s dowry, because the fragrance of cedar discouraged moths.

A cedar chest still makes a spectacular gift for any potential bride-to-be, as well as a great place to store extra blankets at the foot of the bed. But it’s also a natural for almost any room of the house, due to its solid construction and handsome styling. And although cedar chests can be pretty expensive to buy, almost any woodworker can build this heirloom-quality, do-it-yourself version for a fraction of the cost.

Western cedar with a bold grain is the obvious choice in lumber, but other woods (like pine, oak, cherry, mahogany or walnut) also work well.

How to build it

Although edge-joining is required, the project calls for mostly straight cuts and the curved cuts are traced from patterns. Assembly is a simple matter of gluing and nailing the pieces together. To finish, sand and apply a coat of Danish oil.

The finished chest measures 48 inches long by 20 inches high by about 20 inches deep.

How to order the plan

The Cedar Chest plan, No. 572, is $9.95 and includes step-by-step directions with photos, full-size traceable patterns, construction diagrams, a shopping list and cutting schedule and a toll-free help line for project questions.

A package of three blanket chest plans, No. C74, is $21.95 and includes this project plus two others. Please include $4 for postage and handling and allow about two weeks for delivery.

To order by mail, clip this article and send it with a check or money order to U-Bild Features, c/o The Spokesman-Review, 3800 Oceanic Drive, Suite 107, Oceanside, CA 92056. To order by credit card, call (800) 828-2453.