Grace Thompson
Kneeling is an important aspect of the Catholic faith, as it signifies submission and reverence. It is referenced in scripture many times, such as in Ephesians 3:14, For this reason I kneel before the Father. However, there is a growing campaign to eliminate kneeling in Catholic churches, with some liturgical experts advocating for the removal of kneelers and instructing people to remain standing during consecration. Despite this, many Catholics still view kneeling as an essential part of their spiritual heritage and encourage its practice. For those who want to continue kneeling in their personal prayer time or in churches without kneelers, a DIY kneeler can be made at home. This involves selecting the proper wood, which takes about 30 linear feet, and crafting the hardware for the leg to fold up. A softer kneeler can be made by sewing a cover for a foam kneeler.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Materials | Wood, foam, fabric, rosaries, holy cards, fabric paint, sharpie marker |
| Design | Rosary design, storage for holy cards or rosaries |
| Hardware | Leg folds up |
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What You'll Learn
Select and prepare wood
Selecting and preparing the wood is a critical step in making a Catholic kneeler. You will need about 30 linear feet of wood to make a single kneeler. Start with S2S (specifically S2S1E if you can find it) to make the process a little easier.
It is important to resist the temptation to buy S4S finished lumber from your local yard, unless you have access to a high-quality thickness planer and/or drum sander. While S4S hardwood may seem like a convenient option, it often has blade marks that are not visible to the naked eye but will show up like zebra stripes when stained. Removing these blade marks by hand can be a tedious and time-consuming process, and even then, your thicknesses may be off, impacting the kneeler assembly.
Instead, opt for boards that can be thickness planed, cut to the desired length and width, and then jointed and drum sanded to a smooth finish. This will ensure that your wood is properly prepared and ready for assembly.
Additionally, you will need to make some custom hardware to accommodate the unique way in which the leg folds up into the prayer kneeler. This extra step will be worth it for a functional and space-saving kneeler.
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Make custom hardware
Making custom hardware for a Catholic kneeler involves several steps, from selecting the right wood to assembling and finishing the piece. Here's a detailed guide to help you through the process:
Wood Selection and Preparation:
Start by choosing the right type of wood for your kneeler. You'll need about 30 linear feet of wood for a single kneeler. Select S2S (specifically S2S1E) wood to make the process easier. Avoid using S4S hardwood as it often has blade marks that can be difficult to sand out and may affect the final assembly.
Cutting and Shaping:
Use a lumber store to make the necessary cuts if you don't have the right saw. Choose the most attractive grain for the outside of the kneeler, as the inside won't be as visible. Create a template with paper and use it to mark the placement of dado joints on the inside of each side. Cut 1-inch deep dado joints using a router, hammer and chisel, or a saw. Make a 2-inch deep and 12-inch long cutout on each runner, 3 inches from the end, to place the kneeler.
Assembly:
Glue and clamp the kneeler in place, allowing it to dry overnight. Attach the bookshelves to the sides of the prayer desk with glue and a belt clamp. Tap them into place with a rubber mallet. Glue the sides to the runners and clamp again. Drill starting screw holes on the inside of the runners and secure them with three wood screws on each runner.
Finishing:
Sand the assembled pieces with a high-quality random orbital sander of 220+ grit. Pre-stain sanding is crucial for a smooth finish. After sanding, apply an oil stain like Watco Danish Oil Medium Walnut to achieve the desired colour and bring out the beauty of the wood grain.
The unique design of a Catholic kneeler, with its folding leg, requires custom hardware. While this adds a layer of complexity, the end result is worth it, creating a functional and aesthetically pleasing piece of furniture that facilitates prayer and devotion.
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Design with rosary
To make a Catholic kneeler with a rosary design, you can follow these steps:
First, decide on the material you will be using for your kneeler. You can choose between foam, wood, or any other material that suits your needs and preferences. If you opt for wood, select the right type of wood and prepare it properly. It takes about 30 linear feet of wood to make a single kneeler, and you should consider using S2S or S2S1E lumber for easier assembly. Avoid S4S hardwood as it tends to have blade marks that can be challenging to sand out by hand.
Next, plan out the design layout. Start by drawing a string with a black Sharpie marker on the surface of your kneeler. You can then add the "Our Father" beads by making large dots with fabric paint. There are five decades to represent, so space out five large dots in a square shape.
In each decade, fill in ten small "Hail Mary" dots with the fabric paint. You can also add a cross and any other relevant symbols or decorations that hold religious significance for you. Remember to leave open spaces without decoration in the main area where your knees will rest while kneeling.
If you're feeling creative, you can also add a quote about kneeling or a meaningful prayer on the back of the kneeler. This can make your design even more personal and significant.
Additionally, consider adding a storage compartment to your kneeler, especially if it's meant for children. You can design a small box or compartment within the kneeler to store holy cards, rosaries, or other religious items.
Lastly, if you're using foam, you might want to create a cover that can fold in half and have handles for easy transport. This way, you can discreetly carry your kneeler to church or any other place of worship without drawing too much attention.
Feel free to adapt these instructions to fit your specific needs and creative vision. The most important aspect is that your kneeler provides a comfortable and meaningful space for prayer and reverence.
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Sew a cover
To sew a cover for your kneeler, you will need a foam kneeler, fabric of your choice, a needle and thread, or a sewing machine.
Firstly, decide on the design of your cover. You may want to add a religious design, such as a rosary, or a quote about kneeling. You could draw this on with fabric paint or sew on additional fabric details. You could also add handles to one side so that the kneeler can be folded in half and carried like a bag.
Next, cut your fabric to size, ensuring that it is large enough to cover the foam kneeler and that you have enough fabric to fold over the edges and create a neat finish. If you are adding a design, now is the time to do this, before sewing the fabric together.
Then, with your fabric ready, you can begin to sew the cover. Start by folding over the edges of the fabric and sewing them down to create a neat finish. Then, sew the sides of the cover together, leaving one side open so that you can insert the foam kneeler.
Finally, turn the cover right side out and insert the foam kneeler. Sew shut the remaining open side, and your Catholic kneeler is ready to use!
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Folding leg mechanism
The folding leg mechanism of a Catholic kneeler requires careful wood selection and preparation. It takes about 30 linear feet of wood to make a single kneeler. It is recommended to use S2S (specifically S2S1E) wood to make the process easier. Buying S4S finished lumber is not advised unless you have access to a high-quality thickness planer and/or drum sander, as this type of wood often has blade marks that are difficult to sand out by hand and can affect the final appearance and assembly of the kneeler.
To prepare the wood, it should first be thickness planed, then cut to rough length and width. Next, joint the wood to its final width and cut it to the final length. Finally, drum sand the wood to 220 grit to ensure a smooth finish.
The unique design of the folding leg mechanism requires custom hardware, but the end result is worth the effort. With proper wood selection and preparation, you can create a functional and durable folding leg mechanism for your Catholic kneeler.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need wood, a thickness planer, a drum sander, and some hardware.
First, select and prepare the wood. Then, cut and shape the wood to the correct dimensions. Finally, assemble the kneeler, including the hardware for the folding leg.
You can add a rosary design by drawing a string with a black marker and adding beads and a cross using fabric paint.
