Jessica, the original owner, donated this chair to our local community group, which is where our paths crossed. I was looking for something easy to work on, because I’d been working on some big and time-consuming projects recently. So I guess at this point I need to be honest – it’s me who makes these projects what they are. This isn’t right, let me tweak this, what about if I add that…….
……. so why I thought this would be ”quick” I can’t explain!
I knew I wanted to paint it white – simple. I knew I had some of that beautiful blue fabric left over from the ottoman – good so far! I have some white paint, Little Greene intelligent matt, my favourite, I have my brushes “Cling-On” also my favourite – this is all going to plan, it is actually going to be quick!
…Well, I’m not sure if you’ve ever tried to paint wicker, I hadn’t LOL. Two coats later there was more paint on me and the work shop than on the chair. That’s possibly an exaggeration, but it’s what it felt like. It was time to bring out the big guns, my HPLV sprayer, and an hour later she was beautifully coated in white paint. I’m back on track.
Time to move on to the chair cushion, another first. I had the design in my head; I wanted to have the fabric piping around the edges, and I wanted the cushion to be about two inches thick. So I set about cutting the pieces and making the material piping - all good so far, I’m pleased. I sewed the piping to the side panel, trimming and edging to prevent fraying – easy. I added the edging strip and piping to the base panel – so far so good, Again all the seams triple-sewed and edged to prevent fraying. Then I started to get confident, maybe a little cocky if I’m honest. I’m thinking how well this is going, MISTAKE, big MISTAKE, HUGE! I thought too soon (add dramatic sigh here). The moral to this story is never gloat until the job is complete – it was all downhill from then. Keeping it brief it took five attempts, and one overnight break, to get it right. To line up the design I was constantly offering up to the cushion to ensure nothing had moved, but I did it and the cushion looks just right on the chair.
Jessica looks beautiful and is a unique blend of classic wicker charm and fresh, modern design. And to add to the sense of accomplishment when her original owner was shown the finished piece she said “That looks so lovely”.