Chair Details....Part One...

Last night I started another one of the chairs. This will be the official tutorial for them. Please give credit where credit is due on this one if you make it. It is an original. Thanks.

You will need a suitable bottle, extra hold, non aerosol, hairspray, needlepoint canvas(I used #14 for this one.) 26 gage annealed black steel wire and # 20 gage annealed black steel wire. You can get these at a hardware store. You will also need some light weight cardboard, Aleene's Fast Grab glue, spray paint in the color of your choice and lots of patience...

Tools will be Scissors, pencil, ruler, clips and wire cutters.

OK....The first step is finding the right bottle. I used a 1 liter Listerine bottle. Any bottle that is a good "seat" shape would work.

You have to look at this one sideways. The side of the bottle is the bottom of the seat and the bottom is the back of the seat.

I thoroughly saturated the canvas with water and then started stretching it around the bottom of the bottle, trying not to waste too much. What is left over can be wet again and made into baskets, so there really isn't much waste.

It takes a little time to stretch the canvas tight and work all of the creases to the outside of the rubber band. It can be done. Just keep at it. I found it much easier the second time. Keep in mind the grain of the canvas. My first chair was a bit off and even though it is straight, it looks a little tilted. I did the second one on the diagonal. It is harder to line up, but I think that this one turned out better.

After you get it smooth, spray it with extra hold hairspray. Let it dry thoroughly. I do it overnight.

After it is dry, measure up 1 1/2" from the side of the bottle and mark the arm. Measure 3" up and mark across the bottom for the top of the back.

Draw gentle curves at the corners. Ease the rubber band off and then the canvas. Be gentle.

Now, hold your tongue in the right place and start cutting. After you have cut out the shape that you marked.

I did some extra trimming here and there to get a shape that really pleased me.

Next, cut a piece of #26 wire that will more than fit around the edge of the chair. Starting at the center back, put a line of Fast Grab around the edge. Lay the wire about 1/16" away from the edge, following the contours of the chair. Now roll the edge with the glue on it around the wire and clamp. Do this all the way around, being careful not to pull the chair out of shape.

Have Tessie keep handing you clips, so that you won't have to stop the process in the middle.....Oops. I guess you will have to find someone where you are to do that job. Tessie says she can't possibly leave the new chairs unattended. Zar......

Now.....Sit back and relax. The glue has to dry. The chair will have to be spray painted the color of choice.

I have to go out for a while now.....Tomorrow I will give details on how to do the rest of the chair.....

See you then.