finally finished

I have finally finished a quilt that I have been making on and off for a few years. This one is for me. It isn't huge and I have made it to use in our lounge, to hang over the Ercol sofa which is nearly finished. Its all down to me now, when I can find foam at a good price and able to be cut to shape, I will get the cushions made. But it is now being used with the original cushions and a throw to cover them. 

This quilt is made from single log cabin blocks, backed with a vintage bed sheet and hand quilted in brown thread. 

I am happy with the finished product. Most of the fabric was bought years ago whilst visiting New York. 

Ercol Day bed

I just went through past posts to find this first photo...I then looked at the date April 2009 I couldn't believe it had been 3 years ago! When my husband came in I asked him how long he thought we had had this sofa, he replied 18 months so we had a good laugh when I explained that it had actually been double that time. Well we bought it as a project and it is the last photo below that keeps me focused that it may at some point be finished. Some time back we bought a blind for our cloakroom, it stood waiting for a few months and so I took to laying it across the toilet seat so in order to use the toilet the blind needed lifting off...that week the blind got fitted:) The problem is this sofa is too big to fit in our cloakroom but after a few prompts it is now ready to fit the webbing across the frame and then to search for the best deal in foam for the seating and back cushions for me to cover. Hopefully it wont take another 3 years. 

Progression

Well the Ercol day bed has progressed from the garage to the utility room, a little more of the dark varnish has been rubbed off and I have a magazine picture on my notice board to give me hope as to whet it will look like...soon. (not with red covers thought) The little Ercol coffee table below was dark wood until this week and it has now been rubbed down and waxed and is looking pretty good, it goes nicely with our larger Ercol coffee tableFor those who don't know of Ercol furniture this is taken from the website and we have been  collecting old pieces of this furniture to renovate, for a number of years now.

'In 1920 a young designer called Lucian Ercolani started his own business in High Wycombe, the chairmaking capital of England. Here he perfected the technique of steam-bending wood in large quantities to form the famous Windsor Bow, and discovered how to 'tame' elm; a beautifully grained hardwood other furniture makers considered impossible to work with.

Design and people were the cornerstones of his company. This remains true of the family owned private company that continues his beliefs in the 21st century.'



Pottery

The twins have been having pottery lessons for some time now, Maggie in particular really enjoys it and now that Parpar has a pottery wheel in his garage so much fun is to be had!

(still waiting for the Ercol Sofa to be finished though)

Nice Fabric!

When it was Mothers Day in the UK my eldest son was working in New York (He's a fashion photographer) so I didnt get my gift from him until I saw him over Easter...he knows what I like, while in NY he visited some antique shops up state and he bought me this piece of 50's fabric. He suggested I use it to make a couple of small cushions for the Ercol Day Bed that we have in our garage...waiting for my husband to finish rubbing it down so I can make new foam cushions for the base and back. I have all the fabric ready and waiting but cant start until the woodwork is finished and I have bought the foam.

I love the 50's styles that are making a come back. I am not sure who has designed this piece of fabric but I especially like fabrics designed by Lucienne Day. Along with her husband and fellow designer, Robin Day and other designers including Ray and Charles Eames, Lucienne was part of a design movement that is now known as Mid-centry Modern.

I am really looking forward to the daybed being finished!

Lucienne Day

Cushions

Yesterday I managed to make 10 cushions for Christmas gifts. I have over time bought sample fabrics from curtain/upholstery shops, I then bought some cushion pads. I don't like inserting zips and I find using Velcro a little fiddly so I wasn't sure how to make the closures for the covers, I came across this idea in a magazine and used the buttons and ribbon that I bought in the Cloth House in London. I am really pleased with how they turned out and think I may keep some for using on our Ercol Daybed when it is finished. Of course this means that I shall have to make more for Christmas!

Ercol

We have a liking for 50's and 60's furniture and over the years have collected pieces of Ercol, dining chairs, a rocker and armchair and a coffee table. We recently bought a sideboard. The most desired Ercol is that made in light elm and beech and what many people don't know is that the furniture made in dark varnished wood is just the same underneath and easily rubbed down.This side board was less than a quarter the cost of a light coloured one, and after my husband rubbed it down it is exactly the same.(I forgot to take a before photo) We have recently bought an Ercol Daybed, designed in the 50's by Lucian Ercolani which we are going to rub down, make new cushions for and put in our study to double up as a sofa and spare guest bed. I have added some photo's of some revamped Daybeds as well as the one we have bought. I will post 'after' photo's when it is finished.