zoom rollover image to zoom
Home & Garden: Retro Victorian Re-Up
11 kudoz

Retro Victorian Re-Up

Top View

Stripping
Fabric Approval
Side Detail
Before!
Top View
Side View
Is this your project? Can you share instructions or a pattern with the Craftsy community?

Difficulty:

Category: Home & Garden

Type of item: Home Decor

For: Home

Style: Retro / Vintage, Funky, Whimsical


Materials

Retro Arc-Com upholstery fabric (deal on e-bay) Unpholstery tools and sewing needles Upholstery grade thread Patience!

What was your inspiration?

I was inspired by the fabric first -- I purchased it on e-bay and store it for 6 months looking for the perfect chair. When I saw the little Victoria nursing chair (looking very Laura Ashley in the second hand shop), I knew it would be a non-traditional and exciting match.

What are you most proud of?

When I purchased the chair, I did not realize the the way it was padded would mean that I would have to sew the fabric pieces directly on the chair padding -- and I thought this would be a quick project! I learned to do the 'ladder stitch' for the upholstery on you-tube, practiced it a few times, and then away I went. It's not perfect, but I am proud of the stitching.

What advice would you give someone starting this project?

Always make sure that your padding is in good condition before you purchase a 2nd hand or antique chair. Don't be afraid to mix up styles (e.g. Victorian with retro fabric) because you can create something unexpectedly wonderful!

 

8 comments

Add your comment:

IntFrugalista on craftsy.com
Jan 17, 2013    Flag as inappropriate
You do awesome work! Have you taken an upholstery class or self taught?
Wassupspock on craftsy.com
Feb 17, 2013   Flag as inappropriate
Sorry for the slow reply -- I'm completely self taught via Craftsy, Youtube and a book I bought. I must have looked at three or four videos to understand the ladder stitch used for this chair. :)
Roxy.Bee on craftsy.com
Jan 07, 2013    Flag as inappropriate
Great job! I wouldn't have seen the potential in this. also Romeo is such a big cuddly looking boy! :D My boy Quentin loves getting in the middle of stuff too :)
Wassupspock on craftsy.com
Jan 07, 2013   Flag as inappropriate
Hello fellow Texan! Being from Austin, I miss Tex-Mex sooo much. Saw your projects, they're fab!
Robsont843987 on craftsy.com
Dec 30, 2012    Flag as inappropriate
An interesting but out-of-date chair (simply because of its fabric and fabric treatment) transformed into a very cool, sleek focal piece that invites guests to get comfortable! Lovely job!! An inspiration!
Visualmusic on craftsy.com
Nov 24, 2012    Flag as inappropriate
Wow! I'm inspired!
maggiesc on craftsy.com
Nov 24, 2012    Flag as inappropriate
OMG! This is so cool, I love it What an amazing job you did.
TrudiJ on craftsy.com
Nov 24, 2012    Flag as inappropriate
This looks great! And the fabric is just fabulous.