How to make a swing nest

Design features

Hanging structures shaped like an egg have become a popular alternative to traditional hammocks, sun loungers and chairs. They can be made from various materials:

fabrics:
lightweight metal alloy:
metal-plastic;
durable plastic;
wood;
ropes or rods.

For reference! The product combines the advantages of a swing and a cozy seat. The high back and protective walls on the sides create a safe, enclosed space that is pleasant for both children and adults.

The design should be light and durable. It can be hung both outdoors and in the house. Models of such a seat can be stationary or mobile. The latter involve the use of a stable metal stand on which a seat protected on all sides is hung.

There are models designed for one person, as well as double and even triple seating. In the home, they can be attached to the ceiling using durable brackets and hooks as holders. Outdoors, swinging cozy seats can be attached to thick tree branches, sturdy beams or crossbars on terraces and verandas.

Dimensions of swing nests

The shape of the basket and the maximum load capacity of the swing directly affects its size. For example, small “Nest” models with a round basket are designed for a weight of 70 kg, medium-sized devices can withstand 150 kg, and large outdoor swings for adults – 250 kg.

Ready-made factory swing nests have standard sizes and are designed for a certain weight:

Round nest swings are produced with a basket diameter of 60-120 cm. Such devices have a load capacity of 70-140 kg.
Swing-nests with an oval-shaped basket are made with dimensions of 100x110 or 120x130 cm. Their maximum load capacity is 150-200 kg.
Swings with a rectangular basket shape are produced in medium sizes, but, as time has shown, they are inconvenient to use, since the swing seat tends to turn over.

When making your own swing nests, you must take into account the number of children or adults who can use them at the same time. This fact affects the maximum load of the swing structure and, ultimately, its size.

Kinds

Such furniture is made on the basis of a closed hanging seat, which was invented by Danish designer Nanna Ditzel. Products for the garden retain two distinctive features of their prototype: a rounded shape and the presence of walls on three sides and above the head that protect against falling.

There are many design options, which are divided by the type of design used:

with a rigid frame;
frameless;
in the shape of a nest, when a pair of hoops of different diameters is used;
ovoid;
in the form of a round bubble - dough;
in the form of a drop.

The easiest way is to make your own frameless models from fabric or mesh woven using the macrame technique. They do not require special skills in working with complex professional tools used in the manufacture of their rigid base of metal or wood.

From what, with what and how to make it

Frameless models are sewn from thick fabric using various types:

raincoat fabric;
tarpaulin;
burlap;
parachute click;
denim fabric.

Frameless models are also made using knitting or weaving techniques. Masters of wicker weaving can make a spectacular product from wicker by weaving a base in the form of a vertical basket or nest, which is made by a weaver bird.

Models with a rigid base are easiest to make with your own hands from metal-plastic pipes that bend easily. Hoops and arcs are bent from them, which are then covered with fabric or braided with a thick cord.

An aluminum gymnastic hoop can be used as a rigid base. In this case, the hanging cozy seat can only support the weight of the child.

In addition you will need:

slings, thick ropes or metal chains;
rings for attaching a hanging nest or cocoon to slings;
materials for compacting and giving a certain shape and rigidity to a frameless seat: non-woven fabric, dublerin, braid;
drill;
screwdriver;
hammer;
threads with a needle;
tailor's meter;
scissors.

For reference! When working with aluminum pipes from which the frame will be made, you will need a pipe bender and special equipment. The wood base will have to be treated with a special protective solution, which will prevent moisture and pests from destroying the wood structure.

How to attach a swing nest

Swing-nests are installed on support frames, hanging beams or on trees.

Attaching the swing-nest to curved hanging beams

Attaching a swing-nest to a curved metal profile pipe

Attaching the swing nest to a wooden support frame

It is best and most reliable to mount the swing-nest on a standard frame made of wooden beams (10x10 cm).

Progress:

To begin with, you need to make 2 support posts in the shape of the letter “A” from timber (see diagram below).
Then the crossbar should be secured to the support posts. It can be made from the same wooden beam or from a steel pipe. The length of the crossbar is equal to the height of the swing hangers.
Using special hangers, you need to attach the swing slings to the installed crossbar, and they, in turn, are connected to the basket with large rings or carabiners.

Installation diagram of a support post made of wooden beams

After all the main work is completed, the swing-nest should be tested for the maximum permissible weight. To do this, you need to load the basket by 100 or 200 kg (depending on the carrying capacity of the model) and swing it a little. During such a test, it is possible to determine the actual distance from the basket to the ground under load, check the strength of the suspensions and the stability of the frame support.

Installation of a swing and horizontal bar on a timber support frame

Blueprints

The simplest and most affordable model for self-production will be a hanging nest made on the basis of a circle. Below is a drawing of such garden furniture:

The model based on a rigid foundation requires the master to possess certain skills. Below is a drawing of semicircular and round elements with exact calculations:

If you need to make hanging nests for two people, then the width should be taken at the rate of 40-60 cm per seat.

Step-by-step production

If a novice master wants to make a hanging swing in the shape of an egg, then he should start with a hammock with a soft frame. A rigid wicker structure made of wicker can only be made by an experienced craftsman. When manufacturing from metal and wood, you also need the ability to work with tools that process these materials, you will need to make calculations and read drawings.

Soft nest-shaped model

Before starting work, you should select all the tools and materials for making such garden furniture so that everything is at hand:

a piece of thick fabric 1.5 × 1.5 m;
thick cord or slings;
a durable rod made of wood or metal on which the swinging seat will be attached;
thread and needle for sewing thick and durable fabric.

Step-by-step instruction:

Make parallel folds on both sides of the piece of fabric and stitch them along the edge.
Thread equal length pieces of cord or slings into the resulting drawstring on both sides.
Connect the ends of the cord on each side in pairs.
Make two holes in the rod.
Insert the connected ends of the cord into the holes and secure firmly.
Tie a sling to the barbell and hang a cozy seat.
Place small pillows inside the resulting seat.

Round model on a rigid base

In this case, you need to select the following parts and tools to make a round hanging seat:

aluminum alloy hoop with a diameter of 90-95 cm;
thick fabric measuring 3 × 1.5 m;
zipper 90-95 cm long;
cord 10 m long and 15-20 mm in diameter;
metal rings;
non-woven fabric to stiffen the fabric;
scissors;
tailor's meter;
threads;
needles, or a sewing machine.

The finished product will look more like a round nest, with sides of different heights along 2/3 of the perimeter.

Cover cutting drawing

Step-by-step description of the work:

Fold the fabric in half so that the entire hoop fits on it.
Trace the hoop along the contour and make markings from it with a margin of 20-25 cm around the entire perimeter of the circle.
Cut out two round pieces.
On one part of the seat, make a cut in the center equal to the length of the diameter of the hoop and sew a zipper into that place.
Sew both round elements in a circle.
On the finished cover, make holes for fastening 10 cm long. To ensure that they are at the same distance from each other, you should fold the cover flat, mark 45 degrees in both directions, as shown in the drawing, and make marks. In the opposite direction, make marks at 30 degrees and mark for the front holes.
Treat the made slots with a strong edging to give them rigidity.
Wrap the hoop with a narrow strip of padding polyester and secure the wound material with a strong seam.
Insert the hoop into the sewn cover and fasten the zipper.
Cut the cord into 4 pieces. The length of one pair should be 2.2 m, and the other 2.8 m.
Fold each piece of cord in half and thread it through the holes created on the cover. Short cords should be at the back of the chair, and long cords at the front.
Tie the long and short ends to the rings.
Secure the rings to the ceiling, beam or thick tree branch using a hook or other fasteners
Place pillows in the finished product.

Egg-shaped model

This is a classic cocoon-shaped design, which will be completely closed on three sides, closing into a common roof over the head of a sitting person. To make such a hanging swing, you will need metal-plastic pipes, from which the base is assembled according to the drawing presented below.

The pipes must be cut and bent according to the dimensions indicated in the drawing, and a frame must be assembled from a hoop and arcs. To make the structure sufficiently rigid, you need to strengthen it with horizontal elements, which are fixed using hardware of a suitable size.

When the base is ready, it is braided with a durable synthetic cord using the macrame technique or an elastic wire in a plastic braid. Take a loop from a car cable. Slings are attached to it, from which a woven basket for sitting is suspended.

This stylized egg can be hung permanently indoors, on an open terrace or under a tree. You can attach it to a metal stand, the design of which is shown in the drawing. There are many options for making your own. You can involve all family members who have certain skills in the work, and turn the creation of an original swing into a common family affair.

By choosing a suitable option for a hanging seat in the shape of an egg or a nest, you can independently make beautiful and comfortable garden furniture that will help organize summer leisure for children and adults and decorate your suburban area.

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Make the main part of the swing

There are several options for making a nest, all of them equally follow the same pattern. In order to make a beautiful and at the same time durable and comfortable seat, you will need the following materials:

Steel water pipe 3.5-4 m long or a pair of gymnastic hoops;
Thin felt, synthetic tent fabric, preferably in bright colors, and a sheet of foam rubber, at least 30 mm thick;
Climbing safety cord or repik, 5-6 mm in diameter. The amount of material will have to be selected experimentally, based on the density of the knitting and the size of the metal frame;
Safety steel locks or carabiners with a mesh size of at least 50 mm.

Advice! The suspension mount can be made from three or four mounting clamps used to assemble exhaust pipes on small cars.

The mounting diameter of such ties ranges from 50 mm to 90 mm, so you will have to make several selections before you can choose the optimal size.

At the first stage you will need to make a steel frame for the nest. Despite the fact that it is planned to make a swing nest with your own hands for children no older than 10-11 years old, practice shows that older children also enjoy playing on the attraction. So an extra margin of safety won't hurt.

The simplest version of the nest frame can be made from folded steel hoops. The metal profile cannot be drilled to connect two hoops into a frame; it is best to use clamps or hinges. You will get a nest for a swing designed for the weight of one baby, but it is unlikely that he and you will be satisfied with this option.

If a swing requires a large diameter nest, for example, 100-150 cm, the ring frame can be bent from a steel pipe on a pipe bending machine. The optimal pipe diameter is 12-15 mm. After rolling and welding the ends, you will need to clean the seam, and at the same time the entire surface of the metal for painting.

In this version, the rings for hanging the seat from the swing frame can be made from steel wire and immediately welded to the steel pipe of the frame. It's time to make the swing frame and hanging system.