September/October review

To have produced several stitched and stuffed chairs with and without springs

Skills and Techniques learnt

Learning about different fabric, materials and tools - webbing, nailing, corners, knots and bridle ties, other stitches, base hessian, finger-roll edge, stitched and stuff-over pad, regulating the stuffing and the position of stitches to determine shape.

I should know how to strip down and rip out and rebuild using webbing, base Hessian, nailing, corners, knots and bridle. I will have started to learn about regulating stuffing and the position of stitches to determine shape.

Review -

Slow start to the training because of family illness, and problems with the studio at home.

Have managed to complete three pieces - two stitched and stuffed dining chairs, and another chair with padded arms and back. I'm feel confident about regulating stuffing and stitches, and even position of stitches to determine shape. Having completed two pieces with fabric which was lined and patterned I am much more aware about different fabrics and the challenges one can face with lines and patterns. . I haven't started working with springs or estimating fabrics.  

Skills and techniques learnt 

How to strip down, fit webbing, build a seat with base hessian, stuffing, ties and calico, felt and top fabric. learnt about different materials and tools -  nailing, staple gun, corners, knots and

bridle ties, other stitches, finger-roll edge, stitched and stuff-over pad, regulating the

stuffing and the position of stitches to determine shape. Fitting different top fabrics including a patterned and tartan style fabric ensuring the material design was central and lines were kept straight.

Looking at springing, stitched edges, fitting calico, estimating fabric, sewing machine skills. I will know how to use springs, stitch edges, fit calico and estimate fabric. I should also have started to use an industrial sewing machine.

Aims for September and October.

To have produced a simple sprung nursing chair

I will be at a point by the end of October where I will have learnt many of the basic skills and will

now need to refine, perfect and build in time scale to my working.