French Chair – Trial & Error

I got in one more project before the holidays.  Time to clean up the work area and get some decorating done.  So with further ado my shabby chair.

Before:

It helps to start with good bones.  This chair is good and solid with nice curvy lines.

I had muslin and tracing paper on hand so that’s where I started.  I printed some French wording from The Graphics Fairy and traced it on to the fabric.

Thing is, I don’t have a very steady hand and it looked like crap.  Next!

I have seen posts about using a cleaner called Citra Solv to transfer images to fabric. 

Now that’s better!

NOTE:  An inkjet printer will not do the trick.  You need to print with toner.  I took mine to a copy shop and used their copier.  The first time around I forgot to flip (mirror image) the words so I had to go back and do it again!  Duh!

I also decided that the muslin wasn’t thick enough so I used some of this….

…….to fuse two layers together to add body and thickness.

Then…..

……made piping to contour the seat cushion.

 Voila!

NOTE:  When I bought the Citra Solv the bottle said to mix it to make 8 gallons of cleaner.  So I wondered if I was supposed to mix it.  Nope.  Use it full strength.

That said, I think I have a new addiction.    Courtesy of the wonderful images available at the Graphics Fairy.  Today is Brag Monday so I'm headed there to check out the creative uses.  And what would Monday be without Make It For Monday?  Check it out.