Well, if you were hoping to see a finished chair, might I say in my defense, that there is a lady on the course who has been working on her chair for over 3 years?
I have learned so much already. Not least a whole new vocabulary which is furniture specific; scrim, gimp, regulator, bridal stitches... Did I ever think I would be able to do anything at home away from the tutor?! Every little thing I do he will check and correct. The tack puller has become my most trusty tool! But I like that. I like that we are being taught as apprentices to a master craftsman. No short cuts, no cutting corners and certainly no staple guns or foam! ("Foam is a four lettered word"). This is traditional upholstery and it takes time! That's not to say I won't still attack a few things with the glue gun .. just don't tell!
So, week one was stripping back and painting. Next came webbing (with a really neat tool to do the tricky stretching bit so you still have a hand free to bang in tacks!),
Then hessian and 'stuffing ties',
Coconut fibre (longer fibres than animal hair so it will keep it's bounce for longer). I love this picture - sort of Tom Jones meets Pink.
A layer of scrim then 'bridal stitches' to hold the seat pad together. Some hessian tacked onto the shield back.
More stuffing ties and a hairy chest....
And the fabric - well, this was a sample I made to see if our tutor thought it would be robust enough - the fabric will not be stretched on this seat type so it should be ok. So now I need to work up the final colours and add some embroidery - might not get that done before half term! I need to make sure I get a big enough piece of backing fabric before I start on the final work, ("Enough is plenty") but I forgot to measure the seat! Arrggh!
Also for everyone who has asked about the pink paint! It is a Dulux mix-up colour - you know when you get to see them use the magic paint machine. I used Water Based Eggshell because I can't bear the smell of oil based paints and I'm too impatient to wait overnight between coats, and then there's the brush cleaning...!
The colour is Party Surprise 1. The mix-up code is 74RR 28/432.
I can also highly recommend Party Surprise 3 which I have used on a lot of items, not least a couple of kitchen chairs! It's a perfect bubble gum colour. Code 75RR 63/207.
Have fun painting the town pink! t.x
I have learned so much already. Not least a whole new vocabulary which is furniture specific; scrim, gimp, regulator, bridal stitches... Did I ever think I would be able to do anything at home away from the tutor?! Every little thing I do he will check and correct. The tack puller has become my most trusty tool! But I like that. I like that we are being taught as apprentices to a master craftsman. No short cuts, no cutting corners and certainly no staple guns or foam! ("Foam is a four lettered word"). This is traditional upholstery and it takes time! That's not to say I won't still attack a few things with the glue gun .. just don't tell!
So, week one was stripping back and painting. Next came webbing (with a really neat tool to do the tricky stretching bit so you still have a hand free to bang in tacks!),
Then hessian and 'stuffing ties',
Coconut fibre (longer fibres than animal hair so it will keep it's bounce for longer). I love this picture - sort of Tom Jones meets Pink.
A layer of scrim then 'bridal stitches' to hold the seat pad together. Some hessian tacked onto the shield back.
More stuffing ties and a hairy chest....
And the fabric - well, this was a sample I made to see if our tutor thought it would be robust enough - the fabric will not be stretched on this seat type so it should be ok. So now I need to work up the final colours and add some embroidery - might not get that done before half term! I need to make sure I get a big enough piece of backing fabric before I start on the final work, ("Enough is plenty") but I forgot to measure the seat! Arrggh!
Also for everyone who has asked about the pink paint! It is a Dulux mix-up colour - you know when you get to see them use the magic paint machine. I used Water Based Eggshell because I can't bear the smell of oil based paints and I'm too impatient to wait overnight between coats, and then there's the brush cleaning...!
The colour is Party Surprise 1. The mix-up code is 74RR 28/432.
I can also highly recommend Party Surprise 3 which I have used on a lot of items, not least a couple of kitchen chairs! It's a perfect bubble gum colour. Code 75RR 63/207.
Have fun painting the town pink! t.x
Comments
Willow x
ps. I've tagged you on my blog. I hope you don't mind!
Hen x
Hen x
The pair of chairs are small Victorian balloon back chairs I found at the tip very shortly after your pink chair post, so it's all your fault ! lol :)
hmmm me thinks I needs me a tutor.
And it goes without saying that your patchwork fabric is divine, can't wait to see it finished, it will be a Party Surprise chair!
xx
Have a lovely day, Busylizzy x
Finished?? Well it seems to me you have achieved so much already..... I love that shot of the very hairy seat! (And chest! - very funny!)
You can be very proud of the end result, as you will have a totally unique creation to park your bum!
Keep up the good work - all looks very complicated to me.
Love Niki x
Kimx
Willow - yup! t.x
FE - I don't mind at all - I'll get over there soon! t.x
Hen - only the queen if she pops for tea! t.x
(kitschen pics soon!)
Mrs L - always happy to take the blame for pink chairs! I think you'll be finished long before me! t.x
DN - I had sort of planned to just do new fabric, but - the seat disintigrated! t.x
JM - me too! t.x
PS - Go for it! t.x
A24 - Delighted you have noted my skill for a well stuffed seat! t.x
BL - I think "un-chic shabby" has the makings of a flickr group! I could be a big contributor! t.x
Niki- it all looks very complicated to me but thankfully I have the wonderful Melvin to sort me out! t.x
RR - thank-you t.x