Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Upholstering the Back of a Chair

If you guys are getting sick of hearing about this chair.....
Just imagine how I feel!!!!!
The back wasn't quite as bad as the front.
BUT.....
that ain't sayin' much.
I used the instructions Gilles gave me for the front.....
and applied them to the back!!!!!
I AM A GENIUS!!!!!
Sooooo.....
here is how I did it in nauseating detail.

I reused the existing underlayment that supplies support for the Dacron stuffing.
I reattached it at the bottom using my trusty staple gun.
I wasn't able to use the piece from the back, since the chair had been tufted, so I made a new support piece out of lining fabric.
I cut it to fit the back and tacked it in place in the middle of the top and sides and started working out from the centers, pulling the fabric tight as I went.
Then I trimmed the excess fabric.
At this point, I was thinking.....
"HA!!!!! This is easy!!!!!"

I am an idiot.

Then I pulled out my Dacron and cut off a piece that fit the back of the chair.
It's a really bulky roll, and cutting off pieces are a pain in the @$$.
(thanks for letting me complain.......)
I stapled it to the chair, first tacking it in the middle of each side and then working out from the center.
Then I used razor blades to trim the excess.
I say "blades" because I am going through those little suckers like they are water.
Once again, let me remind you to leave around a half an inch of space from the edge of the dacron to the frame.
This way there will be room for the double welt when you are done.
Now it was time to sew the fabric together for the back of the chair.
This is where I freaked out when doing the front.
Sooooo.....
I used the lessons Gilles had taught me and got out my trusty twine.
I decided where I wanted the back seams to go and tacked the twine at that place on the chair.
This would now be my guide for the pattern of the back.
I cut a piece of lining fabric to fit the back section and pinned it in place.
Then I used a pencil and ran the lead along the outline of the frame and the line of the twine.
I could feel the wooden frame and the twine through the fabric.
Then I cut a piece for the side panels, pinned it in place and outlined this piece too.
Then I trimmed the pattern pieces.
I drew on the arm pieces where the stripe needed to go so that it would line up with the stripe on the inside of the arm.
Then I added a half inch seam allowance to the edges that would be sewn together and cut the pieces.
I recently bought this handy little ruler from Joanne's.
It's transparent and is 1/2" wide, so it is great for helping draw a 1/2" allowance. 
I cut the pieces and lay them side by side.
I had made marks along the seam allowance edge on each piece so that I could line them up properly when I sewed them together.
Here's a close up so you can see what I'm yammering about.
Then I cut out the pieces of the striped fabric making sure that the stripes were properly placed.
I ironed the fabric flat at the seams.....
Then!!!!!
I hauled the chair back up onto the table.....
took a big gulp of air.....
and started trying to attach the fabric to the frame.
And I panicked....
So I pulled out my notes from Gilles and applied what I had learned for the inside back to the outside back!
I tacked the center of the stripe to the top and bottom to set the stripe the way I wanted it.
Then I used staples to tack it in strategic places on the frame.
Then working from the center I smoothed the fabric and worked my way out.
I set the stripes to line up on the arms and worked out from those points also.
I cut slashes in the excess to ease the curves.
I stapled all the way around the outside back......
trying to make sure the arm stripe was somewhat vertical.
I mean.....
I'm only human.....
Then I used more razor blades to trim the fabric.
So here she is!!!!!
All that's left to do is......
Make the double welting.
Apply the double welting.
Make a ticking cover for the down seat cushion.
Fill the down cushion with DOWN.....
and then make the cover for the cushion!!!!!

See how the stripes line up on the arms?????
I am a goddess!!!!!
The back lines up tooooooo!!!!!
Check out her tush!!!!!
So here's a progress collage for your enjoyment!!!!!
What I started with and where I am now....
My father can't believe I'm still working on this baby.....
neither can I.....

On that note,
Latah, Gatah
Photobucket

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

Girl, you have the patience of Job. I would have pitched it ten steps ago.

momtofatdogs said...

YOU are the QUEEN of inspiration. and I want, really want....some of that linen. Where did Kris get it? Please?

Sam

Karin said...

Sending you a virtual bottle of wine. I love that chair so much and you've done an incredible job, but holy jeez :( You need a drink. Cheers!

Vikki said...

Excellent your majesty! You are indeed the queen of upholstery. Such a gorgeous chair for Kris' bedroom. Don't you want that chair for yourself now? I would. Vikki in VA.

Betsy Speert said...

Sam,
The fabric is a Colefax and Fowler from Cowtan &Tout.
It's name is: Fairmont Linen.

At Rivercrest Cottage said...

It's a fantastic chair and you are a fantastic decorator. Love all your work.

Scribbler said...

No wonder upholsterers charge so much for one little chair...

Anonymous said...

You did good! Looking at your pictures made me tired.


Shirley
Atlanta, GA

Nutbird said...

The most important thing we learned from this chair is: No stripes on curvy chairs! It is beautiful. Kris owes you big time. Remind her. Ann

sweet violets said...

Oh, this is so wonderful, goddess!!!

Dawna (Stitches from the Tub) said...

I'm in awe! I think I will continue to go to the store & write the check to someone else to recover my furniture. I would much rather make a queen size quilt with thousands of half square triangles.

Betsy Speert said...

My mother agrees with you! She is an avid quilter.

Anonymous said...

Ooh, I love a pretty well made chair! This chair is turning out great and I can't wait to see the finished project.

Ellicia said...

You are a goddess and an extraordinary friend to do this for Chris. If I were able, the only way I would do this for a friend is if she blackmailed me and had the pictures in a safety deposit box.

bmayer said...

Wait a minute....are you using a QUILT as a "drop-cloth"?
And your quilter mother hasnt disowned you for that? For shame!

Betsy Speert said...

Not only am I using a quilt for a drop-cloth.....
But my mom made it for me and signed it!

Curtains in My Tree said...

I was just thinking no wonder a man that upholster furniture charges so much, sure he doesn't love the chair like we would

So when can I bring mine over for you to work on ? LOL

Di said...

Betsy you are the Best. I am totally in love with this chair, but da-- it turned into a nightmare. All better now though and not much left to do. We should all chip in and get you a crown or some premium liquor!

Mary @ BarnBugStudio said...

I am humbled by your genius, and no longer have any desire to learn upholstery. Well done you!!

Anonymous said...

One Word "AMAZING" !!!!

June said...

you make it look easy so pretty!

certifiedbookworm007 said...

YOU'RE A GENIUS, I love the upholstery job on this tired puppy!!! You're an inspiration to my wishing I could attempt upholstery...some day, some day.

Post a Comment

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...