Introduction: Seat for a Walker
I have a friend who has a disability. She tires easily and when she does she has a difficult time finding a place to sit when she needs it. I came up with this design that would be lightweight, removable, secure, could be hand washed, and would not be in the way when attached. The seat portion was recycled car seat harness from a child safety seat.
Step 1: Gather Tools and Materials
In this instructable I used
sewing machine
scissors
seam ripper (not pictured)
Lighter
Materials
length of car seat harness webbing
1" flat nylon webbing
Heavy duty upholstry thread
4 1" welded steel D rings
8 1" welded steel O rings
4 3/4" electrical conduit claps (dipped in plastic dip prior to use)
To attach to walker I used
Pliers
flat headed screwdriver
Step 2: Decisions of Size
Decide how large you want the seat portion. I chose to make this seat for an adult so I wanted it fairly large.
Step 3: Cutting Side Lengths
Cut 2 lengths of the wider webbing into 13.5" pieces. Flash in a lighter flame to melt ends to prevent fraying. Fold over ends and make the loops a tiny bit wider then the webbing itself. You will need to pass the O rings through the loops. Stitch back and forth 4-5 times. Repeat on each end. You should end up with 2 straps with loops on each end.
Step 4: More Cutting
Cut another 2 lengths of the wider webbing. Melt ends to prevent fraying. I chose 16" lengths. Insert the lengths into the looped ends and sew together using a straight stitch with machine. Sew only on outside edge and go forward and reverse 4-5 times.
Step 5: Cutting Supports
Cut 3 lengths of wider webbing into desired sizes. I chose 15.75". Melt ends to prevent fraying. Attach each piece to the underside of the frame, spacing each evenly. Use a straight stitch and go forward and reverse 4-5 times. Repeat on the other side.
Step 6: Cutting More Supports
Cut 7 lengths from the wider webbing in 8.5" lengths. Melt ends to prevent fraying. Attach onto frame underside on the longer side using straight stitch an going forward and reverse 4-5 times.
Step 7: Weaving
Weave the webbing through the longer supports alternating each. Sew using a straight stitch on opposite side. Repeat with all straps. Be sure to stitch forward and reverse 4-5 times.
Step 8: Reinforcment
Reinforce all intersections using a straight stitch. Take care to not stitch the looped ends closed.
The seat is mostly completed. Set aside.
Step 9: Cutting Thinner Webbing
Measure and cut 4 lengths of the 1" nylon webbing into desired lengths. Be generous with the lengths. I measured and cut mine into 4' pieces. Melt ends to prevent fraying. Sew 2 lengths together and fold over ends.
Step 10: Cutting More Thinner Webbing
Cut 2 lengths of 1" nylon webbing into desired lengths. I cut mine at 24". Melt ends to prevent fraying. These will be the straps that will have the O rings attached.
Step 11: Sewing O Rings
Thread a shorter length of 1" webbing through 2 O rings. Fold webbing over about 6 inches and sew together using a straight stitch. Try to sew as close to the O ring as possible. Reinforce stitching by sewing webbing forward and reverse 4-5 times. Reinforce webbing a few inches down as well. Repeat on other 3 ends.
Step 12: Threading O Ring Straps
Thread your O ring straps through the looped ends of your seat. I alternated mine through the supports.
Step 13: Threading Longer Straps
Thread you longer double strap through the looped ends. Repeat with other strap.
Step 14: Reinforce Ends and Close Loops
Reinforce the ends and close the loops using a straight stitch. Be sure to ensure that you have an equal amount of strapping on each side.
Step 15: Attaching to Walker
Slide D ring onto electrical clamp. Attach the plastic coated clamps and D ring to the walker using a pair of pliers and a flat headed screw driver. Be sure to tighten it so that it will not slip or slide.
Thread double straps through D ring.
Loop around and come back to O rings.
Thread through O rings.
Loop back around and thread through 1 O ring. This should lock straps in place. Adjust as needed.
