Grandma’s comfy chair

I’ve been shopping for a comfy chair for the bedroom, something light in color with a tall back. I had an ah-ha moment when I remembered I had a House of Miniatures Chippendale Wing Chair kit. This was part of a miniatures lot I bought, though I never thought I would end up using this kit.

I bought this fabric some time ago, too (don’t recall from where – likely a local mini show). I love the fabric, but it’s not my usual style…it’s rather vintage. Perfect!

So, I’m going to give it a shot. If it ends up being a disaster, it can always go in the attic. Of course, an old wobbly, threadbare chair would fit so well in the Heritage. 

The kit was in near perfect condition, but I needed to make some adjustments. First, the card supplied with the kit is manila-folder type cardstock. It was in usable condition, but it made the fabric appear more yellow when placed underneath. I wanted the chair to be more of a true ivory like the original fabric.

I cut new pieces from some thin white cardboard. It was so thin, I decided to just glue it to the original pattern pieces and use them together. Here they are before gluing.

The foam inserts were in better condition than I had expected, but I still didn’t want to risk using them. They were starting to degrade and would probably break down completely over time. I cut layers of millinery batting to replace these foam pieces.

I painted the wood foundation Tapioca by Folk Art. I think it will complement the fabric well. I also didn’t want the legs to be lost in a dark room and make the chair seem like it was floating in air. :D

I found the instructions for this kit to be well thought out and adequately descriptive. The illustrations were helpful and made putting the chair together relatively simple. I just followed step by step, and the chair came to life.

Let’s not confuse matters and say it was easy, but simple in the straightforward approach the assembly follows. I did make a few modifications to the directions, and these might not make sense unless you are making this exact kit. I would not have thought to do these things if I hadn’t made the Millie August sofa kit previously. I am so glad I ran into that kit. It taught me a lot of tips and tricks for upholstering mini furniture. Unless otherwise noted, I followed the directions exactly.

In Step 3, the rounded moldings were longer than the chair sides. I glued them so the tops were flush and then sanded the excess from the bottom once the glue was dry. This might not be an issue for all kits.

In Step 8, you are to wrap the fabric around the card piece, including the bottom and back edges. I left these loose and wrapped only the curved front edge. I then glued the card to the side and wrapped the back and bottom edges around the wood, cutting flush with the opposite side. Otherwise, I would risk the fabric pieces not matching up with the back and seat coverings added later, therefore leaving gaps. (Doing this actually saved the piece in the end.)

In Step 9, I wrapped all edges of the card except those around the bottom of the rolled edge.

I again wrapped these ends under the wood on the bottom. (This did end up being a little bulky in the end, but I would have had gaps without doing it so it was worth it.)

Any gaps along the back or bottom edges for Step 9 won’t matter since these are joined on the inside with the back and seat to form the chair.

I did plan having roses centered on the arm rests, but I left the pattern random for the rest of the chair. :]

I will point out that you may need to cut new card pieces. A couple of the pieces were shorter than needed. I had to cut completely new pieces for D and E in Steps 8 and 9 for the second of the side assemblies, even though the first side worked perfectly with the original card pieces. Here you can see just how off the original piece E was around the front curve.

The patterns aren’t very precise, especially after you’ve added fabric in previous steps. Depending on the lightness of your fabric any shortness around the edges may show. Here you can see a little of the wood underneath at the bottom of the rolled edge. This should end up looking like nothing more than a shadow and not be obvious in the end.

I should add, too, that the white card I added to the kit card pieces to make the color of the fabric truer did not interfere with the assembly of the chair. It might have resulted in slightly thicker “piping” around the pieces, but it still looks in scale. If you add anything, though, it has to be very thin or take over for the kit supplied card in like thickness.

In Step 12, I painted the chair base (piece 52) white before adding the fabric. Otherwise, the fabric would have appeared darker on this piece due to being over bare wood instead of white card or white batting.

Also, since I wasn’t using the more rigid foam for the back cushion, I cut an extra piece of card for the back of the millinery batting layers to make it easier to cover with fabric.

In Step 13, I painted the edges of the seat cushion white for the same reason I had done so for the chair base.

In Step 14, for the actual assembly of the fabric covered pieces, I glued the back to the seat as indicated. I then glued on one side, but this is where I deviated from the instructions. I glued in the seat cushion next.

I then glued in the back cushion and slathered on the glue.

I then glued on the other side. This ensured a good, solid fit for all the pieces instead of waiting until the end to try to make adjustments. One happy accident: using millinery batting instead of a solid foam piece for the back cushion resulted in a delightfully saggy back to the chair. It looks like it has been well-loved all these years. :D

The Tapioca paint on the foundation ended up being a little too light when paired with the fabric, so I added a coat of warmer yellow. I mixed the paint on the fly to coordinate, and I’ll never be able to replicate it.

I think the chair turned out very well and I’m so pleased with it. I think using patterned fabric helps hide any inconsistencies that the solid blue fabric included with the kit would have accentuated.

In fact, I love the fabric I used. It’s just the sort of feminine touch I was after. The piece I used was 11″ x 11″ and, with careful planning, I had just enough. If you use a fabric with a pattern that needs to be matched, you might need a larger piece. Interestingly, the black and white photo shown on the instruction sheet shows a similar floral pattern.

If I were to to this kit again, I would change out the simplistic base. It’s fine enough in the bedroom since it sits in a corner where the bed blocks the view of the base.

I’ve added one of my white patterned pillows with lace flower detailing. It was the only one I had on hand that coordinated well. A red one might be nice, too.

Considering I didn’t think I’d ever end up using this kit (it was included in a lot I bought), I might be inclined to pick up another if I find a good deal. :] It really is a classic design that can be so many things depending on the fabric. Ophelia loves it.

Miss Kitty loves it, too. :D

Categories: Furniture, The Haunted Heritage
November 14, 2012 | 0 comments

Cora, the Bengal kitty, and other fine minis

This is Cora, a beautiful Bengal *Reve*. She will live at the next build, with Woodrow as her outdoor friend.

I have a few other miniature acquisitions to share besides Cora. First, a lovely peony in a pitcher and a fabulously detailed china plate, both from Peiwen of Oiseau deNim.

This windmill plate is also from Peiwen. I just love the detailing.

Next is an adorable stuffed bunny from Sisters Dreams. He is so well made and so cute! :D

I had my eye on this cross-stitch runner for some time, and it was still at The Dollhouse Needle when I went back for it. I borrowed a pumpkin from the Heritage.

This lovely wall hanging is also from Mary Lynne at The Dollhouse Needle, though I bought quite awhile ago. She makes wonderful things! The flowers were borrowed from The Aero Squadron Lounge.

Categories: Animals and birds, Miniatures
November 12, 2012 | 0 comments

Heritage – bedroom wallpaper, part 1

I have exactly five full sheets of scrapbook paper – Out of Time by Recollections – and it seems to have been discontinued, of course. Heather helped me by sending some scraps of the same paper that she had left over. There are a couple of small, angled cuts so her paper scraps will definitely come in handy. Even still, there is next to no margin for error for cutting the full pieces I have. So, I being with templates.

I started with the long interior wall, cutting one long piece of plain drawing paper for the main portion. This template is longer than my actual scrapbook paper is wide, but it will be relatively easy to piece it around the door without the seams showing. I left the template long and without the door opening cut just to make it easier to work with.

On the front portion of the wall, I cut a shaped piece to match the upper angle and included tabs that will go behind the front wall piece. The open triangle between the two pieces will have to be cut to match the pattern as best as possible.

Using some extra red scrapbook paper, I then worked on the outer side wall where one of the two swinging windows will be. This piece is scored to wrap around the rear channel molding. It took me two tries to get the measurements right, which is why this template is made from two sections taped together. I cut the actual openings for the window to make sure the placement was good.

I then traced the interior window trim onto the template. I will need to leave some room for the acetate inserts in the upper portion of the window. Again, to make the templates easier to work with, I left the window openings as is for now.

Since this piece is similar for the front wall, I tested the fit of this template there. Not even close — have to start from scratch. :\

I completed the template for the right side angled wall, including tabs to mirror the left template.

I pieced the front wall template from scraps and then cut a complete piece.

I adjusted the front wall template to fit, and that should do it. :D I’ll probably move that side tab (which would actually be behind the front piece) to the front wall piece to make it easier to glue the pieces in a certain order.

Now that the main templates are cut, I plan to make photocopies of the black scrapbook paper and do a test run with those before cutting the final pieces from the original scrapbook paper.

Plan B, in case of disaster, is to use the dark patterned paper on top with plain black on the bottom and a black painted chair rail between the two. Update: test run here.

Categories: The Haunted Heritage
November 11, 2012 | 0 comments

Wee “c” Miniatures Show – 2012

I went to the last local miniature show last night, and it is still going on today, the Wee “c” Miniatures Show.  I went with a modest cash budget and came home with extra funds. Unfortunately, most of my receipts didn’t have store names and the show program didn’t have a map of vendors, only a list of names.

Patricia M. Wehmeier Miniatures – she has a wonderful collection of vintage and unusual items, and I’ve purchased from her before at other shows. I bought from her a white vase and a set of colorful stacking bowls.  The basket is an Al Chandronnait creation from Greenhouse Miniatures (no website).

This unusual chair is also from Patricia.

I plan to paint it since the shiny mahogany finish doesn’t do it any justice.  :]

I also bought a fun wheelie bin from her table.

The same vendor where I bought the basket from had some nicely priced white china – Greenhouse Miniatures (no website).

I also picked up two larger wood frames from her. The other two frames are from other vendors.

I picked up some fabric, landscaping items and a large pack of fine gauge floral wire, which seems to be rather elusive in the local craft stores.

Categories: Miniature Shows and Shops
November 10, 2012 | 0 comments

Heritage – foyer lighting

I had originally planned to have a hanging light descending from the second story ceiling to the top of the foyer area, but I changed my mind because I didn’t think it would hang straight enough to suit me. The fixture is lightweight, and the chain would follow the curve of the electrical wire. It would need constant adjusting. Forget that nonsense.

I opted for a small silver wall sconce from my lighting stash since it is small enough to not be intrusive but gives off a good amount of light. The only reason I was able to add a wall light without any deconstruction is the fact that the bedroom wallpaper hasn’t been completed, so adding a wire channel was fairly straightforward.

I drilled a hole from the bottom of the wiring channel in the bedroom wall, angling slightly downward into the foyer. The hole is high enough so it won’t interfere with the working pocket door. The front channel you see is for the bedside lamps when I get to them.

I glued the light in place with the bulb facing downward. With the light on, the bulb would be distractingly bright when viewed through the open stairwell. I can still reach the fixture to remove the shade and change the bulb as needed. The silver also works well with the silver-framed wall art.

It’s just enough illumination without looking out of place. :]

Categories: The Haunted Heritage
November 5, 2012 | 0 comments