Build a Martha Chest

Step-by-Step Guide to Building a Martha Chest

This is one of those pieces that can be finished in so many ways… Distressed and chippy finish, stained, painted one solid color, or decoupage each of the drawers with different scrapbooking papers! I think I’ll have to add the plans to build a Martha chest to my ever-growing list of things I want to build just because!

Materials:

• 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws
• 1-1/4″ screws
• 1-1/4″ brad nails
• Edge banding for plywood, if desired
• Finishing supplies

Lumber:

• 2 – 2×2 at 6′
• 2 – 1×2 at 8′
• 1 – 1×4 at 8′
• 1 sheet of 3/4″ plywood

Cut List:

• 4 – 2×2 at 35-1/4″ – Legs
• 2 – 1×2 at 15-1/2″ – Upper Side Stretchers
• 2 – 1×4 at 15-1/2″ – Lower Side Stretchers
• 2 – 1×2 at 29-1/2″ – Upper Long Stretchers
• 2 – 1×4 at 29-1/2″ – Lower Long Stretchers
• 1 – 3/4″ plywood at 17″ x 31″ – Shelf
• 2 – 3/4″ plywood at 8-1/2″ x 18-1/2″ – Side Panels
• 2 – 3/4″ plywood at 18-1/2″ x 27-3/4″ – Cubbies
• 2 – 3/4″ plywood at 18-1/2″ x 29-1/2″ – Cubbies
• 2 – 3/4″ plywood at 8-1/4″ x 8-1/2″ – Back
• 2 – 3/4″ plywood at 8-1/2″ x 10″ – Back
• 1 – 3/4″ plywood at 17-1/2″ x 30-1/2″ – Top
• 2 – 1×2 at 17-1/2″ – Top Side Trim
• 1 – 1×2 at 33-1/2″ – Top Front Trim
• 2 – 3/4″ plywood at 6-1/2″ x 17″ – Small Drawer Bottoms
• 4 – 3/4″ plywood at 8″ x 8-3/8″ – Small Drawer Front & Back
• 8 – 3/4″ plywood at 8-3/8″ x 17″ – Drawer Sides
• 2 – 3/4″ plywood at 8-1/4″ x 17″ – Large Drawer Bottoms
• 4 – 3/4″ plywood at 8-3/8″ x 9-3/4″ – Large Drawer Front & Back

Step One

If using edge banding, it will be applied to the plywood before assembly.

Cut the pieces for the legs as well as the upper and lower stretchers. Cut a curve as desired in the lower stretcher pieces. Drill pocket holes in each end of the stretchers. Secure to the legs using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws. Orient the pocket holes in the 1×2 stretchers so they are facing up and will be hidden by the top. The outside face of the lower stretcher will be flush with the outside face of the legs.

Step Two

Cut the pieces for the long stretchers. Cut a curve as desired in the lower stretcher pieces. Drill pocket holes in each end of the stretchers. Secure to the legs using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws. The pieces will be positioned in the same manner as the side stretchers.

Step Three

Cut the piece for the shelf and cut the notches with a jigsaw as shown. Drill pocket holes in each edge and position with the top of the face flush with the top of the lower stretchers. Secure using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws.

Step Four

Cut the pieces for the side panels. Position as shown and secure using glue and countersunk 1-1/4″ screws.

Step Five

Cut the pieces for the cubbies. Cut the notches as shown using a jigsaw, and drill pocket holes in the vertical pieces as shown. Position the vertical pieces, then secure in place using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws. Insert the horizontal pieces and secure with 1-1/4″ brad nails into the side panels.

Step Six

Cut the pieces for the back and drill pocket holes in all four edges. Secure in place using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws.

Step Seven

Cut the piece for the top. Drill pocket holes in each of the shorter ends, as well as one long edge. Cut the pieces for the trim and secure using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws. A decorative edge can be routed on the sides and front of the trim. Position the top with 1/2″ overlapping the sides and front, then secure using glue and 1-1/4″ brad nails.
Step Eight

Cut the pieces for the drawers. Drill pocket holes in each end of the sides, as well as all four edges of the bottoms. Assemble as shown using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws. Coat the bottom of each drawer with a coat of paste wax to help it slide smoothly in each cubby. There will be a 1/8″ gap at the sides and top of each drawer.

Finish as desired!

The free plans to build a Joss & Main Inspired Martha Chest are easy to construct and inexpensive to build. Great in a kid’s room to store toys and books in the same cabinet! Share your fabulous work with me… Send photos to cher {at} designsbystudioc {dot} com or designsbystudioc {at} gmail {dot} com. I would love to feature your work on DbSC!