Well after the short break over Christmas and New Year, 2019 has got off to a flying start. We have not only been busy in the workshop but also talking to lots of customers about upholstering and reupholstering pieces. We have been out and about in Barnsley, Wakefield and Sheffield doing quotes and meeting some lovely new people.
January also included some workshop days at the Ministry of Upholstery in Manchester, for some continuing professional development. One of the projects that I took to work on was the Prayer Chair that I mentioned in an earlier blog. The chair had originally been completed with traditional methods and I thought that it was only fitting that it be reupholstered using traditional methods. Having completed a Cocktail Chair with traditional upholstery methods I knew that I had really enjoyed this, so I was excited to do this again and learn some new skills. I completed most of the project with one of the Tutors who has over 70 years’ experience in upholstery, which is humbling to say the least.
When the chair was stripped, I did feel sad as the cover at one point would have been as stunning as the hand carved frame. It was a floral needlepoint that had been hand beaded with hundreds of tiny glass beads, the back of the colours on the back of the cover were very vibrant.
I am unsure who the chair had been originally made for, but I am sure that it must have been for somebody of great importance, due to the time and craftsmanship that making the chair had involved.
The process of traditional upholstery is time consuming and labour intensive, with layer upon layer of stitching, hessian and coir. However it is beautiful and an art form that I hope is passed down trough generations so that it never dies out.
After completing the chair, I returned it to its owners, having met Chrissy through a Facebook group for Business Women in Barnsley, we quickly became friends, the chair was a gift for her Partner, it was his pride and joy, so I was excited to take the chair back home. I was so pleased when they both loved the chairs transformation. The chair has now gone from being in a spare room as it was unsafe to sit on, to be a functional piece of furniture in an amazing hallway. Moments like this make all the hard work worth in!