Crikey! Its been a busy month already! AMUSF Upholstery course, Helfa Gelf Open Artists Studios, Radio interview, miles of bunting to make, and a wedding. Well here are the highlights:
Radio interview on the BBC iplayer, skip to 18 minutes in to hear my feature:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0079ghv

And my first exposure in someone else's blog:
http://www.blogandbuysale.com/2011/09/lauras-attic-re-upholstery-and-renovation-studio/

Spring has Sprung

Third piece finished: a traditionally upholstered sprung dining chair, complete with retro yellow floral fabric, all the different layers and processes to get to this final look are documented at www.facebook.com/laurasattic
I am really pleased with my fabric choice, the colour brightens the chair and the pattern matches the lovely little floral shapes carved on the back. I'm so glad this chair was saved from being thrown away, and it just goes to show that everything has life left in it - Now she just needs a good home!

Serious Stripping

Victorian Balloon Back chair with traditionally upholstered stitched and stuffed seat.

The next piece on my course was a bit more challenging, a stitched and stuffed seat. Because the seat is part of the chair (unlike the drop-in seat which was separate) I had to treat the wood first. See the step-by step pictures in my album on facebook. The wood underneath the old thick Marmite-like layer of varnish was beautiful and came up a treat when stripped and re-polished with several layers of shellac and wax. 

 I used a cream and silver woven fabric for the top cover, which is tres glam! I just need to find an equally glam trim to cover the tacks now.

Turn On, Tune In and Drop In Seat

Drop - In Seat Dining chair, Traditionally upholstered

The first piece completed on my course was a Drop-In seat, traditionally upholstered using animal hair. See the full step by step pictures in my Photo album on my facebook page. I plan to strip the wood and re-polish with a dark shellac, to match the black in the fabric, giving the chair quite an oriental feel. The chair is one of 4, so I've got quite a lot of work still to do! But its definitely worth it, the finished seats look lovely and will last for a lifetime.

Escaping the Attic

After long deliberation and a LOT of  research, I have made the executive decision to become a properly qualified Upholsterer! Yeah! Taking the AMUSF (Association of Master Upholsterers and Soft Furnishers) diploma course at the Traditional Upholstery Workshop in Carmarthenshire.

Its a course in 2 parts, each lasting 7 weeks. The first installment to start on Monday 18th July (Which is also my birthday- so it has to be a good start!)

Having never been to this part of the country before, I'm looking forward to spending some time there and discovering a bit more of Wales. 

I am going to document my progress and keep a photo diary, blogging about my progress through the course and the projects I'll be working on. 

Fingers crossed my accommodation has internet -  South Wales here I come!
 To Be Continued...

Beech Road Festival 2011 in Chorlton, Manchester