Once Upon a Time there was a pale blue Lloyd Loom chair. She was a little drab and old-lady-like when she first came to live with me in March. A tad sad, a tad neglected. This chair has a great deal of sentimental value because of the very special Lady that once owned her. So I really wanted to feel good about the chair, to love her and adore her and make her pretty again. And I think there's something really special about breathing new life into a sad old chair, a chair that has had so many bottoms sat upon it over so many years.
So I started out thinking about how to prettify this chair, and a couple of inspiring images had really firmly lodged in my mind. The first one was a post on Vanessa's blog. And the second one was a post on Jane's blog. Both inspiring ladies, showing us inspiring chairs. Chairs to make yourself comfy in. Chairs to relax and create and dream in. And as I badly wanted my own comfy-relaxy-dreamy chair, I set about creating just such a thing. With yarn and fabric and love and joy.
First up, my chair needed it's own blanket. Without a doubt, it had to be cloaked in colourful hooky goodness or else it just wouldn't be my chair now would it? And so the circles-squares throw was started....
....and it grew....
....and grew some more...
...and then to dizzy appreciation, it gloried in it's ta-dah moment.
My chair also need a cushion. And so the whirly, stripy, circular cushion was started...
....and it grew....
....and grew some more....
...and it too enjoyed it's Ta-dah moment.
But even with her crochet cloak and her plumpety-plump cushion, the chair was still sporting her dowdy mucky velvet seat. And I just knew that One Piece of Fabric would never ever do. I had a vision, and to me it was as clear as day. I could see this chair so perfectly in my mind that it was as if it already existed. The seat would be made of patchwork.
Yes, patchwork!! It has to be this way, I can see it so clearly!
So I gathered the fabrics....
....discovered the delicious joy of cutting and piecing....
....and a Patchwork seat cover was made, Ta-dah!!
I am rather pleased with it. Well no, that is an out and out lie actually. I am not pleased with it, I am absolutely THRILLED with it!! It gives me palpitations, makes me hop and skip and clap!
I introduced The Patchwork to The Crochet.
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh so harmonious!
Such Perfect Partners!
They will be so Happy together.
Now considering that I've done no patchwork before, and no upholstery before, I think I did pretty OK with this, wouldn't you say? I made a calico template and cut the seat top to shape, then made a loooooong length of patches to fit all round the sides of the seat in one continuous strip. Then simply stitched the two together, keeping the calico as backing for extra strength.
Ahhhh I really love love love love love love love LOVE this seat!!!!
And I really love love love love love love love LOVE how yarn and fabric, crochet and patchwork all come together in a rather whacky, lovable concoction of Attic24-Lucy-stylie creativity.
Slightly bonkers it has to be said.
But oh so very me!
I had a vision for this chair, and the vision was as clear as day in my mind.
And this chair became exactly as I imagined it.
Exactly, yet more so.
I hope we shall live Happily Ever After together, Me and Chair.
The End.
xxxxxxxxxxxx
Fantastic - I love what you did with this chair - congrats on a job well done!!!
Posted by: Anne | May 21, 2009 at 06:42 PM
It's absolutely lovely Lucy! job well done. Your see-it-do-it attitude is so inspiring. I had a similar moment recently involving a mermaid tail for my daughter's Cinderella Barbie. I dreamed it up as I fell asleep one night, and the next night as soon as I came home from work I got out the fabric, scissors, thread, and a needle and got to work. And I was ridiculously pleased with the results. And, the best commentary on my project...Cinderella has not taken it off since!
Posted by: Eleanor | May 21, 2009 at 06:42 PM
Absolutely beautiful! I want one of those in my house!
Posted by: Tam | May 21, 2009 at 06:48 PM
That´s the most beautiful chair I ever seen!!!Fantastic!
Posted by: Anna | May 21, 2009 at 06:49 PM
That is a really happy and lovely chair!!!
Posted by: MJ | May 21, 2009 at 06:53 PM
it is so beautiful, I'd like to find a chair and prettify it, too :)
Posted by: Alina | May 21, 2009 at 06:53 PM
absolutley stunning definitely not bonkers at all
Val
Posted by: valerie | May 21, 2009 at 06:59 PM
...& they lived happily ever after!
What a very lovely story. I love happy endings. Actually this could just be the beginning?
Chris x
Posted by: Chris | May 21, 2009 at 07:02 PM
What a fabulous transformation, I get all drooly just looking at it, god knows what it must be like sitting in it!
Posted by: Lululiz | May 21, 2009 at 07:04 PM
Amazing! Unbelievable! I'm in love with this chair!
Posted by: Kenia Cris | May 21, 2009 at 07:10 PM
it all looks absolutely gorgeous!!!
x
Posted by: wonderwoman | May 21, 2009 at 07:14 PM
It turned out FAB! Another wonderful job by Luce! The colors all go together so well.
Posted by: Kar | May 21, 2009 at 07:15 PM
Brilliant! Lovely Chair! Lovely Colours! Lovely Post! Well Done!
Posted by: Louise | May 21, 2009 at 07:16 PM
What a wonderful transformation congratulations, and yes definitely 'Lucie stylie'! Love it!
Posted by: louise | May 21, 2009 at 07:17 PM
Who wouldn't love it? Thanks for sharing the whole story, you're really a Jack-of-all-trades! (I really hope you do use that expression, otherwise my language will seem very odd and old-fashioned.)
Your attic gives me butterflies in my stomach - Now all I want to do is to try making your works of art!
Posted by: Annelie | May 21, 2009 at 07:18 PM
Very beautiful and so very you! I love the combinations of colours, yarn and fabric - glorious!
Posted by: Gina | May 21, 2009 at 07:25 PM
Seriously therapeutic, vibrant and delicious. It's perked up my week. Thanks Lucy x
Posted by: Emma | May 21, 2009 at 07:32 PM
So beautiful...That is one lucky chair to have found it's way to you!!
Posted by: Beth in Austin (USA) | May 21, 2009 at 07:37 PM
Tadah! Beautiful!
Posted by: fleur | May 21, 2009 at 07:46 PM
I really love your chair, you have (again and again) very very beautiful ideas and your work is wonderful!!!!
Posted by: justine (Lyon, FRANCE) | May 21, 2009 at 07:47 PM
The chair looks so happy!
Posted by: Snap | May 21, 2009 at 07:55 PM
Your chair is absolutely lovely. Congratulations!
Posted by: mariebruxelles | May 21, 2009 at 07:56 PM
Wow....how delish does THAT look!! I love it :-)
Andi
xxx
Posted by: Andi | May 21, 2009 at 07:56 PM
Nice story, lovely chair!
Posted by: Alhana | May 21, 2009 at 07:57 PM
Perfect.....
Posted by: Traci | May 21, 2009 at 07:58 PM