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oldsofas
264 Posts |
 Posted - 19 Jan 2007 : 19:55:34
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Laura, Paula, Veronica, Jean and anyone else who posted on this topic - huge huge apologies. I was just posting Paula's picture up and when I went to delete my post saying to send pictures to me I deleted the whole Topic!!!!
I 've managed to replicate two of the posts below but all the others are gone - please have a go at putting your comments back on as there were some really useful tips and stuff that shouldn't be lost.
Sorry, I've been up since 2.30 this morning - drove 500 miles to deliver two chairs to Leatherhead and a stool to Haslemere etc etc - bit tired!
Hope you can recall your comments.
D
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oldsofas
264 Posts |
Posted - 19 Jan 2007 : 19:58:30
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Laura's original post:
Hello.
I'm on a new adventure, which has been inspired by your book!! I grabbed it from the library shelf, on a whim, a week ago. I have since behaved quite badly by investing in a pair of chairs to the tune of £500.00. : /
I hope I've not been crazy!! I understand they are Victorian, 1870 perhaps. Oak with inlaid wood, nice old castors, and very sturdy. I adore the curves!! And the exposed wood. Sorry that sounds bad!!! LOL!
Are these called 'lady and gentleman's' chairs?
I saw these chairs two years ago in a local antiques shop, but at the time would have never dreamed of due a total make-over job like this.
But after many months of looking for an armchair with a difference, and being disgusted at the high price and low quality of new furniture, your book has tempted me into action!! The chairs were still there, and they had also been marked down by nearly £200.
It really looks like something I can do. I'm a very handy person, patient, and love a challenge. I build cupboards, lay patios, sew clothes, tile, and am an artist, too!
Not to blow my own horn, just to send you some assurance I'm not totally mad!! :)
I want to order materials from you; can you advise how many kilos of vegetable fibre I am likely to need? And any other comments/advice? Like whether you think the price seems about right?
I intend to join your forum, you may post this (if such a thing is possible!).
I eagerly await your reply, and think it's great that you are so 'reachable'.
With thanks and
Best regards
Laura
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oldsofas
264 Posts |
Posted - 19 Jan 2007 : 20:01:13
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Paula's post that I was attaching the pictures to when I deleted the Topic!
Hi Laura
the chairs are stunning! Congratulations - this upholstery lark is rather addictive!!
I've been working a pair of Victorian Ladies and Gents chairs for some time ... I'm lucky I go to an upholstery class, even so Ruth and Davids's book is excellent.
You'll need 8 or 9 inch springs (I can't remember what I actually used, but probably the bigger ones) and you'll need 9 for each chair. In terms of how much hair .. well memory lapse again but I think for both chairs I got close to half a sack - I think 30 kilos but I'm sure David will give you better estimate.
Both my chairs have lumber supports - worth considering for yours and the curves seem to indicate they would have had that kind of support.
There is another book which I refer to, which is called The Complete Upholsterer by Carole Thomerson and there is an example of a Victorian Gents chair in there.
I went straight in at the deep end did a drop in seat on a stool and then stripped the chairs ... still trying to find a suitable top fabric which is close to the orignal silk devore velvet - Jean don't suppose you know any sources in France?
Meanwhile now developing a chaise - have webbed, sprung and stuffed, and now stitching ... fortunately top fabric already procured ...
Have fun and good luck!
regards
P
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paula
United Kingdom
34 Posts |
Posted - 19 Jan 2007 : 21:04:22
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Oh David!
I think we were all on one last night ....! Hard to remember it all word for word but here goes .. WARNING!!! upholstery is addictive!!!! Not for the faint hearted or those with any hint of obsessive tendencies.
I've been working on my chairs pictured above since October 2004 - I go to an upholstery class but don't get much chance to do anything in between (work full time, husband, 2.5 year old son, cat etc). So both chairs have only reached calico stage. I would like to get as close to the original top fabric as possible which was silk velvet devore (or burnout or chenille). As you can see from the pics back in those days the fabric was probably woven for the chairs.
Both chairs were in a shocking condition, I stripped them stripped them and cleaned the wood. To clean the wood here's the cocktail I was recommended:
1/3 Meths, 1/3 white spirit and 1/3 boiled linseed oil. Thre is also another version: 1/3 pure turps, 1/3 spirit vinegar (white) and 1/3 raw linseed oil. Both work equally well. Apply mixture with 0000 gauge steel wool and clean using snmall circular movements - dpending on how dirty the wood you may need a few attempts with this. For the carved areas use a tooth brush. Leave for a few days after using the above as the linseed will feed the wood, wipe off. No need to give the wood any other food. Once cleaning complete either wax or stain. Use steel wool for wax (0000 gauge) and a 'rubber' for stain. Remove wax residue with a rubber and turps. Leave for 24 hours and buff.
To make a rubber you'll need a a square of cotton (Tshirt material) and place a ball of either cotton wool,wadding, cotton waste (shoddy) in the centre. put turps or stain on the ball in the middle. Apply using a figure of 8 action and maintain contact with the surface. Cover the edge of the previous stroke. Keep the rubber in an air tight jar between uses.
Both seat bases have 9 springs - I think mine were 8 or 9 inches although Jean thought 7 inches. (Will check tomorrow at class). Start with webbing in the centre and attached with either 16 or 13 imp tacks. Place springs equally in the seat I had 3 rows of three. Use No6 cord to stitch the springs and laid cord to tie them. Cover with scrim using 13 imps. next were the bridle ties and stuffing. I use hog hair - it is washed and all that but it still makes your hands dirty - I think I got through half a sack for both (30kilos rings a bell but again I'll check tomorrow).
Animal hair gives for a softer feel the shredded wood - Jean your turn! is just too hard!! Animal hair can be recycled - place in a pillowslip and tie. place inverted in a second pillowcase and tie. Put on a 40 degree wash (normal) with non bio detergent and thimbleful of fabric conditioner. Dry on a sheet in an airing cupboard. When it comes out of the washing machine it will resemble elephant poo - as it dries gently pull it apart! Animal hair more expensive than veg fibre.
Both my chairs have a lumber support and I recommend Laura's do too.
I think this was the jist of the posting from last night - could have been a rant about essential tools - magnetic hammer and tack lifter & webbing stretcher etc.
The only thing I have ever finished is a drop in stool seat - did it really quickly as I couldn't wait to strip the chairs. I'm no expert - just enjoy it but have a pipe dream of a dusty workshop one day ... I don't think there is any probelm with going straight in at the deepend - just don't rush it and remember you can never over stuff or over regulate!!!
Oh, until top fabric finally found, am now working on a chaise my father in law made. Both chairs and the chaise are webbed, sprung and stuffed with copious edge stitching the good thing (am I mad) is wth all three being virtually the same methodology it helps imbed into the little grey cells!!
Hope this helps
regards
P
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laura
United Kingdom
24 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jan 2007 : 18:35:32
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Never mind, David. I think I can remember most comments, and Paula has very kindly re-typed most of her good advice!
And I 'm pleased to be able to see her chairs!!
Paula, I can see why you're waiting for the right fabric, you can see how gorgeous they were...and will be again!! :)
Paula, I've been wondering whether the seats on my chairs should be square/flat on the top, you know, like a box cushion... or just gently rounded, as you seem to have done. It's just that your chairs in the original covering have a piping around the top edge,and the bottom edge,which makes it look quite square. Will you sew that 'edge'into your final cover, when you do them? Or just a single piece of fabric, perhaps folded in on the corners?
?? How I wish I could find more pictures of what my chairs would have looked like. You know, there's a name and address inside the chair, I wonder if the person is still there?? :) They might help me. I know, DREAM ON!! :j
If anyone knows a website that has good pictures/examples, I'd love to know about it!
Thanks everyone.
Laura
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paula
United Kingdom
34 Posts |
Posted - 21 Jan 2007 : 09:42:53
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Hi Laura
Thanks for the vote of confidence! I'm tempted to keep the cushions square to get them as close to how they were ... to be honest haven't thought too much about that one until the fabric queastion is solved ... if anyone out there has any suggestions on gettong hold of similar fabric please let me know.
With regard to confirming information here goes - Jean you're right! The springs were 7 inches and compressed by a third and I used about 6.5 kilos of hair for both chairs.
Have a go with the name and address and see where it leads - another thought might be to contact a reputable auction house (Christies, Sothebys etc) who could point you in the right direction of a furniture archive. I think most good furniture makers way back when had a catalogue so worth following up. As a by the by the chairs were probably part of a parlour suite and would have had a chaise and one or 2 further chairs - not the armchair type like these more like a dining room chair.
Well Laura seems we both have a lot of work to do - which part of the UK are you in?
regards
P
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laura
United Kingdom
24 Posts |
Posted - 24 Jan 2007 : 12:24:27
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Hi Paula.
Many thanks for your advice. much appreciated. Sorry I didn't come back to you sooner, I was struck down with Labyrinthitis on Sunday.. an infection of the inner ear which makes the room spin at 100rpms!!!! AWFUL!! Your worst hangover x 10. If I moved my head a fraction of an inch I was violently ill. I'm still dizzy and stumbling 4days later.
But HEY!! It's helped me with my New years resolution to shed a few pounds!! :)
And I was visited by a very charming and handsome young doctor, too! ; j
I'm glad to hear about the spring size, as I really don't want the cushions much higher than 5inches from the bottom frame. I will maybe get my order in tonight, and can begin maybe next week, if my head is back on straight by then!
I live near Slough. Not the prettiest place, but my kids go to grammar schools nearby, so it's awfully handy. When they've finished I plan to move to the countryside. Do I recall that you live around Guildford? You were recommending your upholstery class to someone. I adore the countryside around that area. It makes my heart ache, you know?
I'm on a four year plan, to get this dear old house renovated and hopefully make a little profit from the hard labour which has gone in. And then start all over again!!! I know I'm crazy, but I seem to thrive on physical work. I just love that sense of achievement, which is something everyone in this forum will understand, Kindred spirits!!!! :)
Thanks again,
Laura
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jean
France
198 Posts |
Posted - 24 Jan 2007 : 13:01:04
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I don't want to split hairs but if a week is a long time in politics then an inch is a huge amount on a spring! I didn't recommend 7 inch springs, but 5 or 6 inch ones.
Assuming you mean you don't want the seat to be more than 5 inches from the webbing (you say bottom rail - do you mean the top of it or the bottom of it),I would be inclined to use 5 inch springs. Compress them to about 9cms and that will give you about an inch of stuffing for the top.
If you meant five inches from the top of the bottom rail go with the 6 inch springs.
If your head was spinning before I suspect I might have just made it worse!
Good luck and recover soon.
Jean |
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oldsofas
264 Posts |
Posted - 24 Jan 2007 : 14:26:47
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| I went to Langley Grammar. |
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jean
France
198 Posts |
Posted - 24 Jan 2007 : 17:37:28
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| And your point is...??? |
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paula
United Kingdom
34 Posts |
Posted - 24 Jan 2007 : 20:13:34
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Hi Laura - don't like the sound of the room spinning, but like the sound of the young doctor!! We live between Guildford and Horsham - and boy did it look pretty this morning with all the snow! Strangely enough I don't think of myself as living in the country probably has something to do with the round trip to Crawley and Horsham twice a day! Anyway, this isn't really the place for the gossipy chat ...
Jean, didn't mean to miss quote you - just couldn't remember what you'd said ...
If it helps at all, the seat height from the base of the frame on the ladies chair is 5.5 inches and on the gents chair 6.25 inches.
Take care Laura and hope you feel better soon - if you fancy a trip this way anytime let me know.
Regards
P |
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laura
United Kingdom
24 Posts |
Posted - 24 Jan 2007 : 22:22:26
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Thanks everyone.
Yes, the 5inches depth I want is to be from the webbing to the top of the final fabric. So perhaps the shorter springs, then.
I really don't want the chairs looking 'poofy'!!! :) I've found a picture of a very similar chair in the 'period living' magazine (p52)which landed on the doormat today. I was so excited! It's been re-upholstered in leather, but I've got a very beautiful and brightly coloured fabric which looks like an old tapestry. Also in the mag!! (p63) In fact, my other half bravely chose it while I stood stuttering. He was brave, at £40 a metre, but oh so right! :)
So, is that David or Ruth, who went to langley grammar? My son is there. Great school. By the way, they've sold a huge chunk of the playing fields. :( Not so great.
Sorry about the gossipy chatter!
Paula, I may take you up on that! Thanks again, everyone, for your good wishes and advice... Laura
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jean
France
198 Posts |
Posted - 25 Jan 2007 : 08:22:17
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OK - I understand the reference now to Langley Grammar. Slow or what. Funny thing is in my previous life I used to organise music festivals for children (Schools Prom/National Festival of Music for Youth - for those of you with musical kids) and I'm sure Langley Grammar used to enter. Surrey had a really good, but MOST peculiar music adviser called Ernest Mongor. He did a huge amount to support Music for Youth but scared me silly when I first started (I was very young!).
Snowed in today so our 13 yr old is off school - good day for it as it's my birthday ... 21 again plus a year or three! |
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laura
United Kingdom
24 Posts |
Posted - 25 Jan 2007 : 14:52:19
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Hi Jean. And HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
I think it's nice to chat here! My son plays the flute, but keeps threatening to quit. Crazy, as he'll pick up anything musical and impress me every time. They say that 85% of adults polled regret never having learned an instrument.
So you have children, I was wondering if you'd retired to France. But no, far braver! To take the family and move abroad! Wow. I'm actually American, so I 've done it too, but I'd be too nervous, moving children.
We had snow yesterday. Makes me feel at home!!!!!!!!! : )
By the way, many thanks for your additions to Paula's advice. You know how it goes with advice.. you listen until someone finally tells you something that you wanted to hear in the first place!! : /
I shall drink you a toast this evening, good excuse for a tipple! (With my spinning head STILL on, I shall sleep well!!)
Regards
Laura |
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laura
United Kingdom
24 Posts |
Posted - 25 Jan 2007 : 16:12:24
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By the way, David, thanks for tidying up the forum.
There were some comments which were unfair on everyone. We're just here to have a relaxing chat and request/share info with like-minded friends... not to impress people who lurk in the background. Scary.
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paula
United Kingdom
34 Posts |
Posted - 25 Jan 2007 : 18:47:50
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Hi Jean, happy birthday! and you're so lucky being snowed in!! Wish we had a few more inches here could have done with an excuse to bunk off work!!!!
Laura - couldn't agree more with your comments - well said!
regards P |
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jean
France
198 Posts |
Posted - 25 Jan 2007 : 20:51:49
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Thanks Laura, Thanks Paula. No it's not retirement. We did that for three years when we went sailing (for six months!). We've got a while to go before the bus pass comes our way - and even longer before the bus arrives!
We both work from home so the biggest problem is that school is closed tomorrow as well as today...all this for three centimetres of snow!
Happy days - at least Dr Who's on telly tonight, albeit in French! |
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laura
United Kingdom
24 Posts |
Posted - 26 Jan 2007 : 16:30:33
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WOW, Jean, what a romantic life you've had so far!! Sailing is so amazing, what an adventure.
I should have met a Frenchman,or Italian, not an Englishman!... sorry, English men. : {
I've finally ordered springs and stuffings and fabrics and cords, etc etc, now, so very excited for the arrival of these!!
Another question has occurred to me;
My chairs have corner wedges/braces in the seats, almost as if you'd expect a drop-in seat to sit on them. These will prevent me from putting springs right into the corners!
ALSO, the front blocks/corners of the chairs' woodwork are THAT MUCH FURTHER away from where that last spring will be placed onto the webbing. Do people ever place a spring onto that corner block of wood, or onto that wedge, to keep a nice shape to the corner of the cushion??? It seems to me that there is a good four inches which will just be the ''mush'' of stuffing, trying to keep the cushion in a decent, tidy shape.
I hope I've explained that well enough! : /
Again, appreciate any ideas.
Enjoy Dr.Who. Hope it's David Tennant.. PHWOAARRRRrr!! :)~ He's got a wild look in those eyes, love it.
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jean
France
198 Posts |
Posted - 26 Jan 2007 : 17:34:34
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He's English. They're not so bad!
Springs and blocks - I did wonder about this when I saw the photos. First the obvious question: Are you sure the chairs did have springs before? You can tell by the holes underneath where the webbing would have been. If the webbing was on top then there were no springs.
However, I am quite sure the chairs were sprung. The corner blocks shouldn't cause a problem. Do not put any springs on top of them. They are there to reinforce the corners and any additional strain would not be good for them! Just place the springs as close as possible without actually touching them. You then just(!) have to use 100 times more stuffing than you think and regulate it for roughly the rest of your life until the edges of the chair are really really solid. (Gloves and knuckle plasters recommended!) Don't forget to regulate while you are stitching - each stitch will pull stuffing which will leave a hole which needs filling which leaves another gap...talk about theory of chaos! This is particularly important if you are going to get the really crisp square edges and front corners.
It will be great. Don't worry too much about it. Once you get started it will be easier to understand what we are all going on about. Go for it
And remember - with that lovely fabric: think twice...cut once!
Jean
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paula
United Kingdom
34 Posts |
Posted - 26 Jan 2007 : 18:55:26
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Hi Laura
I've sent David some pics to post. They're images of the springing in my ladies and gents chair. I didn't have blocks - I think like Jean they're probably there to reinforce the frame. Hopefully the pics will help reassure you re positioning and distance from frame of said springs. You'll be surprised how much stuffing they'll take, and don't worry if the seats start to look like muffin tops - the stitching is a really magical process as the stitches just pull everything into shape.
Hope this helps, suggest you concentrate on the chairs not Dr Who though!!!
regards
P
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laura
United Kingdom
24 Posts |
Posted - 27 Jan 2007 : 21:08:37
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Thanks Paula and Jean, and David for posting pics!
The photo helps. I can see that the springs are some distance from the edge, so I won't worry. And Jean, you're right, things usually become clearer once you push up your sleeves and get stuck in. I had not thought of using double strips of webbing, so that was helpful. It makes sense, of course!!! And I know what you mean about cutting fabric! My mum started me sewing when I was 10, and many disasters have taught me well....
As for old tack-holes, there are holes above AND below, on the frame!! (I must get busy filling these, before my supplies arrive).
I guess regulating is like refinishing old walls. I always say 'fill and sand, and sand and fill, until you're sure you're done, then do another week's worth!!! : /~
Thanks/ best regards // Laura |
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Inlaid chairs
