Once the chair was stripped and ready to go, i got to work, getting to calico on the arms and back very quickly as i was able to use some more modern techniques and time saving materials like rubberised hair.
Here is how the chair has progressed so far.
1. I think you call this hessian band webbing (I am, as ever, oblivious to the correct 'professional' terms for things - I took up golf a few years ago now and I still refer to my golf clubs as stick, poles or rods!) but i prefer to refer to it as 'strapping'. 'Strapping' was the first stage, with 3 running vertically down each arm and the back of the chair. The straps support the frame, the subsequent layers, and eventually, me, when I get to sit in the finished chair!
This stage is quite tricky and takes time and lots of hammered fingers to try and get the correct tension in the straps.
2. Next comes the hessian. This is almost like the first layer of bread, with the final material being the other piece, that the other materials (horse hair, wadding and lots of sewing!) will be sandwiched between.
Again, the hessian needs to be as taut as possible.
3. Once the hessian has been tacked in place and 'hammered home', and trimmed, the rubberised hair is pinned into place with enormous pins...
...before being sewn into place and trimmed down to size. The rubberised hair is a massive time saver, as i didn't have to sew and then stuff loose horse hair into place. This stage can take a long time as it is difficult to get the loose horse hair to the same level across the piece as lumps and bumps are inevitable. The rubberised hair saves you from having to deal with this problem as well as ensuring you have a nice springy stuffing.
4. After applying a layer of wadding, I cut and tacked the calico into place. I then pinned the 3 sections of calico (2 x arms and 1 x back) together at the joins...
...before sewing them together with ladder stitch.
I then re-stretched the calico and finally hammered all the tacks home finishing up the calico stage of the chair back.
With the back complete to calico, i am going to start on the seat of the chair. This will take a bit longer than the back as i wont be able to cheat with modern techniques this time. I will also be dealing with springs, which is something new for me, but i have seen from my classmates that they can be troublesome and time consuming. Still, it will be great to learn something new as i have really enjoyed learning some of the modern techniques after two years of traditional ones on my bed.
It is probably time to start looking for fabric!
