Sometimes a little love is all it takes

This started out more as a hobby, a fun way to decorate my home, revamping existing worn furniture. 

Word has spread around town of my bright colourful patchwork restorations. I have started to take custom orders. This set of two tub chairs is my latest custom request.   

People often ask me questions about the making process. I find this hard to describe, most of the design process happens in my head. Explaining each stage is difficult.  So this time, I took photos along the way to provide a little insight and inspiration! 

Before 

The process 

I love selecting the eclectic range of textiles for each job. I juxtapose pattern and colour to achieve an overall harmonious balance.  I exclusively use reclaimed materials with a penchant for coffee sacks, flour bags, tea-towels and wool blankets. This gives it the charm and character you expect in a quirky patchwork.   

 

I will be completely honest, during the sewing process it can get very laborious. Each chair is unique and requires a  pattern to be created first. Using a thin transparent piece of fabric I trace out each panel, measuring distances for accuracy.  

Each patchwork panel is made separately. Figuring out how each of these panels fits together is like doing a giant jigsaw puzzle. Each piece is stitched together to form a cover that can slip over the old chair cover. 

I say slip, but in reality to obtain a nice taunt look means the pattern needs to be precise. To fit the final 'patchwork' cover over the chair is a tight fit. 

The last step is stapling the cover under the base of the chair.   

After 

Each chair is hours of work. Measuring, cutting, sewing and ironing. Plus a bit of unpicking and redesigning seems to be inevitable with these sort of projects. To get the perfect fit, alterations usually need to be made. 

Trust me it is easier to tighten a cover then it is to loosen, so er on the larger generous fit to begin with. 

Just at the point I vow to never do this again, I fire the last staple and the final reveal makes the hard work melt away. 

I love it so much, I want to make a hundred more.   

If I was to realisticly account for the time spent on these sort of custom orders, they would not be all that profitable. 

However, I relish the fact that my art is out there, being used and treasured in a home. They are beautiful statement pieces and will no doubt be the subject of many a conversation. 

The best part is I have saved an otherwise worn/old/damaged chair from being thrown away.   

Until next time
 xx Isabella