I’m always asked- “What style of chair can I bring?” “I have my grandma’s/mom’s/great grandmas/aunt’s chair in the garage- can I bring it?”
Here’s the answer- I usually have folks email me a pic of their chair for approval (jennifer@metamorphosestudios.com) Most times the chairs that are sent to me are too advanced for the two day “Bring Your Own Chair” Workshop and would not be finished in the time allotted. Plus, bringing a more advanced chair would take away time from other students.
Soooo- I have compiled a gallery of chairs that are PERFECTLY sized, styled, with the level of upholstery suited for the chair workshops! I went onto Pinterest- and found the following chairs and what EYE CANDY! So if you are wondering – “Hmmmm, what fabric do I bring and what color to paint my chair frame?” Well- here you are- ENJOY!
This style of chair directly below more than likely will have a ‘spring seat’ with tied springs. Tied spring seats are great for class because you get the opportunity to see how they are done. They are the most desired as they are truly the most comfortable!
I LOVE the colors and finish of this one! (I’m a sucker for Suzani fabric, bright colors, and chippy painted finishes!)
More Suzani and Bright!
Source: maisonsuzanne.com via Jenn on Pinterest
I Love these Purple Ikat covered chairs!
You may have a chair sitting in your garage like this one below. Again, perfect for a chair workshop! However in the two day workshop we will reupholster without the tufting. Tufting can be time consuming and is a technique that will be explored later on in an Advanced Technique Class coming in the future!
Source – www.onetruelovevintage.com
Source: Uploaded by user via Jenn on Pinterest
Source- www.bluemountainbelle.com
If you love bright and funky yet still sweet – then take some inspiration from
Christy Donohoe of The Strawberry Patch Junk! (I’m digging the green!)
Source- http://www.thestrawberrypatchjunk.blogspot.com/
Not everyone will bring a Frenchy, Antique-y, Victorian-y ornate looking chair like the ones above! Yours may be more simple or Mid-Century Modern like the one below!
Take a cue from one of my favorite stalk-ees! The Chair Loom in Armore PA owned by Molly Andrews & Tracy Jenkins- they have some amazing vision for re-upholstered designs!
Source: Chairloom.com
So there you have it folks! If your chair you want to bring looks similar to any of
these then your chair is perfect for a Basic ‘Chairapy’ Class!
If you are still in doubt- shoot me a an
email to jennifer@metamorphosestudios.com to approve your chair!
See you at the studios!
Jennifer
I had several people signed up for my Feb. 2013 “Bring Your Own Chair” Workshop- but alas they were unable to make it due to their husbands reminding them it was Super Bowl Weekend!
That’s okay!- Despite it being the biggest ‘Man Cave’ weekend of the year-Samantha came anyway [...]
I had several people signed up for my Feb. 2013 “Bring Your Own Chair” Workshop- but alas they were unable to make it due to their husbands reminding them it was Super Bowl Weekend!
That’s okay!- Despite it being the biggest ‘Man Cave’ weekend of the year-Samantha came anyway and had emailed me several different chairs she found and which one to bring? I told her to bring the more advanced one-I explained that if we didn’t finish in two days at least I could get her started on it and would be able to finish on her own. So, since the others postponed due to the Ravens and Niners- we were able to do THIS-
Here’s the story of Samantha’s darling little chair-
For the past decade of her life, she sat in Sams mother-in-laws dark dusty garage waiting to be tossed out. She once sat in the living room of Samanthas Grandmothers house- many a books were read nestled in her seat, and sat thru plenty of episodes of the Lawrence Welk Show, radio programs, and ‘I Love Lucy’!
Along comes Sam to her rescue! Sam saw her potential as being center stage material once again!
Here is what we started with- Samantha told me she stripped it pretty good and was ready for new fabric! She also said “I think we can get it all done today- right?” I giggled a little bit and told her “We’ll strip it thoroughly down to the frame, and start fresh!” You’ll see why in a few!
From Ugh! To WHOA!
This is how Samantha found her- she looks sad.
We then proceeded to remove 1,567,987 nails! Well not really that many but it sure felt so!
Some old horsehair still hanging on for dear life!!
This next photo should explain why I giggled when Samantha said- “I stripped most of it before bringing it to class- I think all I have to do is put the fabric back on now!” After she saw what fell out after stripping off ALL the old stuffing and horsehair-she was extremely grateful we started from scratch! Imagine sitting on all this- EEEeeuuuwwwww! To save your stomachs I won’t tell you what’s in there! BUT trust me- it’s gross! THIS is why I don’t offer the option of just recovering furniture- I re-upholster it all the way from the frame up!
Yuck! Just plain yuck!
More yuckiness!
At this point I teach how to examine the joints and frame for structural weakness and how to ‘shore’ it up with glue, screws, and if need be- glue and clamps! Samanthas chair only needed reinforcing on the arms.
Then the magical part!- Restoring that old finish. In my shop I use a product called Howards Restor-A-Finish. It’s awesome! BUT, before wiping it down with Howards I use a magic eraser to go over scratches and gunky areas where old finish builds up!
Wah-lah! She looks much better and all those scratches and worn areas are renewed!
She’s shining already!
After wiping down and refreshing the wood finish
(Samantha isn’t in the pictures! Because, well- I forget to take them and she didn’t! )
Showing Samantha the beauty of using a sharp new razor blade!
Samantha chose a GORGEOUS, thick, waffle weave, heavy duty, soft, velvety, microfiber for her project! After working with this fabric for two days- I want- NO NEED a bolt of this stuff! It feels like buttah!
Feels like Buttah baby, I tell you-BUTTAH!
Because the fabric was so thick we only sewed a single cord for the welt and cut really close to the seam. The welt was then glued seam side around the edge where the fabric was stapled. It looks much easier than it actually is!
Applying the final step-Welting!
All new foam, burlap, cotton, dacron, webbing, and finally – The Buttah Fabric! She’s all brand new!
What a makeover! A self confident, newly empowered gal ready to sit center stage once more!
Her backside! (Wolf whistle!)
We had a FUN two days- after all was said and done it took roughly 14 hours- 7 hours each day!
Cost of a Workshop- $350
What we charge to Re-Upholster this chair as you see it- $675
Looking for that perfect sized Ottoman for that chair you just picked up?
These cute little guys are the perfect beginner upholstery projects!
In the Ottoman Workshop- I will show you how to build one completely from scratch! We start with cutting and [...]
Continue Reading →
