And so. Onwards.
A New Year already full of the joys of spring(ing).
High chair..
Overstuffed?
If you try this at home (I know, I know), DON’T make your first ever upholstery project a chair with a round frame.
It complicates everything ten fold.
And every single book you look at, every YouTube video you consult, they will be using a nice easy (square) chair for demonstration purposes. Doh.
All those lovely curves create extra fullness in the fabric.
It’s all feeling a bit more industrial than my normal sort of project.
The black fibre that I’ve used for the stuffing is dreadful stuff. It sends heaps of dust and little strands of itself everywhere. Including up my nose. So I’ve had to use my decorating mask, as the deep red grooves now etched into my skin will testify. And of course that’s all very well until I need my reading glasses to see where to put the tacks.
I have walloped my finger with the hammer twice today. Luckily, this time, the nail did not turn black.
Coming on
A double pointed needle takes a bit of getting used to.
I have learnt, for example, that it is possible to incur a stab wound in the hand and the thigh simultaneously.
And I used to think curtain making was bad for bloodletting.
Stitched edge.
First attempt…
Oh my….RESPECT! It’s looking wonderful. I’d prefer the round chair any day, it’s a little treaure. Now….what’s going on with the legs eh? eh???? xxx
Mike has painted the legs. If I don’t protect them from harm the chair could well end up as evidence in the divorce court.. 😉
Amazing, it is going to look so beautiful and be really comfy! I wondered about the legs too, very sensible to protect them.
I have had a test sit upon today, it seems quite comfy but hopefully the rustling of the stuffing will be masked under the layers yet to come!
It’s such a pretty chair and you’ll be so pleased – fo
r all sorts of reasons – when it’s finished.
It’s half of a pair, so then I’ll have to do the other one. And make sure that it is exactly the same..
Well done, so far, not too many injuries. Just watch out when the final cover goes on that it isnt blood stained. Done that!
Luckily the stains that are there already won’t show 🙁
What a beautiful shaped chair, it will be well worth all the blood and blisters!! I did an upholstery evening class years ago, so I know what you are going through – and about the black stuffing!!! I thoroughly enjoyed it, I re-covered SIX dining room chairs for a family friend and they were still in use until she passed away last year! I have to say, I am toying with the idea of doing upholstery classes again!!
It is strangely addictive, I think I would enjoy going on a course now. The black stuffing is ghastly.. I dread to think what it is doing to the hoover.
Sounds dangerous. No gain without pain eh?
Too true. But the sense of achievement is all the better for it.
Your project is coming along nicely. We’ll soon be seeing the finished item 🙂
Thanks Linda. It will most likely go in fits and starts. But New Year is a good time for starts!
I have serious upholstery project envy! It is a beautiful chair and it looks like you are doing a beautiful job. xx
Thanks Eleanor. I’ve already unpicked the top line of stitching. I thought I was getting the hang of the roll edge about half way along, so better to redo it than have a lopsided seat!
Bravo, that woman! I know the roundness of the chair is causing grief, but round seats are sooooo much better than square – it’ll be worth all the blood letting in the end!!!
I hope so Denise. It’s the top fabric that will be the big problem. I can’t get away with nips and tucks there.
Just looking at that needle makes my eyes water! It is a lovely chair though and the roundness of the seat so appealing. Look forward to see the completed project:)
It is a fearsome thing that needle. I am still worried that the seat is rather high, but hopefully when the back and arms are stuffed it will look more in proportion.
Oh dear that chair does seem to give you some challenges and injuries! When it is all complete hopefully you will have many hours enjoying sitting on it and admiring your work.
Sarah x
So far I am enjoying the learning process, but I don’t know what I would do without all the videos on the internet. The answer to a problem always seems to be out there somewhere. They don’t supply the sticking plasters though.
The second photo looks like a wacky exhibit in a Gallery – you know ‘Chair with hair’ – this year’s Turner Prize winner………
It had been sitting in a corner of the dining room all over Christmas in that state. In subdued light it looked very odd indeed!
It looks amazing but I don’t like the sound of your stab wounds :{
I am having to Resist Temptation Very Hard because we have a lovely auction house in town and every Thursday they have a General Sale ….. I really do not need any more projects!
I know, I love going to those places. That’s what got me going on upholstery really, thinking what I could do with something battered and cheap if only I had the skills.
Wow Jessica, this is amazing. You have done such great work here. I am so glad that the tacks have stopped attacking you, now you just need to get that needle under control by the sound of things! I hope that you love them when they are done, I am sure they will be fabulous. xx
I think I will love them BECAUSE they are done! Thanks Amy. It’s actually quite good fun, sore fingers aside.
Or ” you’ll feel a little pinch”, usually a lie or the medical person telling you this has never had personal experience of it. Still a super job Jessica! I can tell it will be lovely! Nice it’s a joint project too.
Can’t wait to see what’s next.
Or “a little scratch” as it seems to be here.
I have to work out whether to put the next layer of stuffing on the seat, or make a start on the back and arms. The books say the former, I think originally they did the latter.
Bravo! You go girl! You are doing a splendid job! I’m so impressed. I would never attempt such an endeavor. Blessings, Natalie 🙂
I’m glad to have got this bit done, was definitely wondering whether I should have started with something simpler!
You’re doing a great job Jessica. It’s years since I upholstered a chair, and I have not done a round one, but I wonder if making a pattern of the shape – not like a ‘normal pattern’ but a cardboard shape that replicates the curve might help make the second chair be both the same height and the same degree of slope…. ? Or has the internet given you a better answer to the pair problem?
That’s a good idea. It will also help me get the two arms right on the same chair. I will definitely do that. Thanks Virginia!
I used to be a phlebotomist and we always said ‘just a sharp scratch’ as we stabbed our unsuspecting patients with a needle, but I never wielded anything as ferocious as that! Have you got the fabric yet? Looking forward to seeing a finished product x
I am waiting until I get a bit nearer finishing before investing in fabric, but I think it will be something fairly plain. Minimise the problem of the curves and focus attention on the shape of the chair. Perhaps a really nice textured linen?
The chair is looking really good – I am looking forward to seeing it finished. I laughed at the comment from haggiz – a sharp scratch to them is severe pain to me!!
Next time I need blood taking I’ll just invite them over here on an upholstery day.
WOW! I think it is looking wonderful!
But I wouldn’t want to get on the wrong side of you when you’re holding that needle ;-)!
In the photo one of the points is buried in the chair, I should have drawn it back a bit to show the real horror!
Wow, that looks like a lot of hard work, but with every step it really does look good. That is a serious needle!
It’s a very clever needle too. When you are stitching through huge thicknesses, or negotiating your way through the spring cavity without getting caught up in anything, it really helps to be able to go in both directions.
I am afraid this has given pangs of…..well, I am not quite sure what, knowing I have a lovely Victorian nursing chair we bought at auction about 14 years ago still waiting to be reupholstered…..I have got the tools and bits, so perhaps if I found (ie looked) for some fabric I might get on with it. Mine has a round frame 🙁 but no arms 🙂 and I look forward to seeing more progress on your project to spur me on…. It’s looking great so far!
I was really unsure how I would get on with it, and I don’t have endless patience as a rule, but it is really good fun. Go for it!
VERY impressive indeed!
Need a day or two off now to allow needle punctures and twine burns to heal.. thanks Em.
I am so impressed; it’s looking terrific. Ouch to those stab wounds, but that needle has always looked a bit scarey. After the difficult round frame, I imagine if you tackle a square frame next, you’ll find it so much easier.
Totally the wrong way round, but the next project will be a footstool. So I can sit on the chair with my feet up!
Looking forward to seeing the chair finished Jessica, as I am sure you are too. Round is so much more attractive than square.
It is provided I can achieve an equally neat finish. I’m thinking it will need a seam around the front edge of the seat.
I am in awe! Kudos Jessica, seriously. Just try and avoid further injury m’dear, I hate to think of upholstery as something one must pay for in blood!
Thanks Annie. I am beginning to discover why it is so expensive..
Looks and sounds like a health and safety nightmare….I never knew it could be so bloody! However it’s starting to look great and what a lovely creative hobby.
It’s great to be acquiring a new skill, I guess injuries are the price to pay for inexperience. Hopefully I will improve!
Such a beautiful chair! I glanced at the photos, didn’t realise the black fluff was stuffing and thought you’d covered your chair with black mohair wool! … which would have been pretty cool really! Then it all made sense when I saw the burlap! I re-upholstered a couple of old wooden dining chairs that I found in the street a few years back; had a fancy to use Cath Kidston oil cloth for the seats. No.No.No. SO stiff to work with! wish someone had told me how tricky it would be before I cut the fabric! Manage to get it done so I have deep respect for your endeavours! Good luck with the second chair … !!
It would be pretty cool..! My first inclination was to go for drama and an overly large pattern on the fabric. There’s a lovely Sanderson one with massive fern fronds which would have been appropriate given the woodland setting, but having discovered how difficult the curves are to manage, plain is good!
oh my….how very clever…..it’s going to be fabulous!!
I hope so, but however it turns out it will set me up well for going on a course and honing the techniques!
Can’t wait to see the finished product
It may be some while at current rate of progress!
It’s looking good, I’m very impressed. You do make me laugh with your upholstery tales, I hope you’re not in too much pain.
Only sore fingers, they will heal!
After watching your demonstration I went straight on to Google to find an upholsterer for my little retro chair – I know when i’m beaten before I start. You are doing really well – you will be able to relax on your little chair when it is finished – nursing your scars!!
If I can do it Viv, I’m quite sure you can!
Looking at your comments about choice of fabric … I’d suggest some design – like ferns rather than a small repeating pattern – rather than plain, as plain will draw the eye to the shape, whereas the larger, more random design will provide interest to distract from any imperfections in the shape … not that there will be any, will there!! But it’d give you ‘wiggle-room’…….
I was going for ease but yes, a plain fabric will show up the slightest imperfection. Having overcome the hurdle of the stitched edge, I think it’s time to start collecting samples. I can get some longer returnable lengths to drape across the chair and we can see what we think. Thanks for your help Virginia!
I think I drew blood just looking at that needle!!!! (nice job, though!!!!—REALLY nice job!)
Thanks Steph. Long way to go..
I am beyond impressed! They say that antiques must have many stories to tell…..imagine what your lovely little chair would say about you and your injuries!!!!
My DNA will stay on the chair forever. I wonder if anyone will ever find it?
After all your hard efforts, it seems to be coming along nicely.
So far so good.. thanks Cherie.
Wow! You did it! Loved the story around it and the experiences you share with us. Can’t wait to see how it evolves.
Marian
Upholstery wasn’t quite what I expected it to be, it’s harder work, but onwards! Thanks Marian.
We have an old wicker chair that was my grandmothers it has a seat that needs this type of repair ~ dare I !
Yes! Go for it. It’ll be very rewarding when it’s done.
Looking good! I have a chaise longue that needs upholstering- do you fancy tackling that when you finish?!!!
How long can you wait??? 😉
I say old socks, FIrst Class!! Triffic job. You need a good pair of farm gloves for using that needle. When we sheared sheep, the wool was packed in 8′ wide rectangular shaped hessian bags which we sewed up along the top with just such a needle……and…ohh, the language! Hence…the woolsack. I’m better at wrapping fleeces, that’s an art too. Well done, you!
And just like hessian and stuffing I’ll bet it didn’t stay still to be stitched. Brute force needed to hold it all together with one hand and poke in the needle with the other.
Oh it’s adorable – I love old furniture that is shaped like this. Worth the blood and numb finger nails 🙂
Almost worth it.. 🙂
This is great, I love the stuffing photo!
A big hairy bear of a chair! I still wonder whether I used too much.