Shorts Plant Stand

I had seen pants versions of this type of planter and ceramic shorts versions but wanted to use some old, worn shorts for my project. I think the shorts planter would look good with pots of marigolds or mums. All I had for the photo were lavender.

TOOLS

Table saw

Bandsaw or scissors

Drill and bits

1-1/2" Philips head screws

Philips screwdriver or drill driver bit

Vise

Staple gun & staples

Tape Measure

Pencil

Scissors

MATERIALS

Old shorts

2-pots for the plants (mine were 7" diameter at the top and 7" tall)

1" x 8" pine board (you could use 2" x 8". Length will depend on the size of the shorts)

1" x 2" pine (length will depend on the size of the shorts)

A round 1 gallon plastic jug like the ones used for window washer fluid

Make sure the pots you want to use fit the shorts waist. Measure the inseam of the shorts. If the inseam is 7", cut the two legs to 9". Determine how wide the flat section of stand should be. This may require some trials with corrugated cardboard. Be sure to round the corners. As you build the stand, be sure to put the shorts on the stand to make sure they fit.

Once you have the dimensions you need, cut two legs and the piece for the "table top". Round the corners of the top. Mine have about a 2" radius. Determine about how far apart the centers of the short's legs are and mark the top. Drill three pilot holes for each leg of the stand. I put one of the legs into the vise and then positioned the top over it so I could install the screws to attach the two pieces. Remove the joined pieces and put the second leg into the vise. Install the screws to attach the second leg. Cut two pieces of 1" x 2" to serve as side braces and attach them, first drilling pilot holes. See the light colored wood in the photos. This is the table the pots will sit on.

Cut a center vertical piece to match the height of the pots. Connect it to the table with three screws. Cut two end uprights long enough so that the tops will match the height of the pots. Drill pilot holes and attach them with screws as shown. Without pilot holes the wood may split.

Cut strips of plastic, at least an inch wide, from a round plastic jug. Staple them into place around the top where the waistband will be. These will help to keep the waistband from collapsing.

Sign and date your project. Add an old belt and pots of blooming flowers.

Since this stand with plants will be top heavy, place it away from winds. You may want to position it against a wall or brace it to prevent cats, squirrels or other animals from knocking it over.