How to make a chair for Queen Elizabeth I, step #1:
Find Victorian chair in barn.
(Fascinating amalgamation of design- while the carved back has art nouveau curves, the arms are a throwback to Regency style, which was copying Roman antiquities. The seat looks more early Tudor influence, leather backed by wood with ornamental brad trim)
How to make a chair for Queen Elizabeth I, step #2:
Clean & remove broken seat & bas relief carving.
How to make a chair for Queen Elizabeth I, step #3:
Whittle wedge of pine to repair corner of seat support. Glue & mold wood filler to smooth curve.
(This looks like nothing, but it took way more hours than I thought it would…)
How to make a chair for Queen Elizabeth I, step #4:
Recycle old leather coat to make chair seat.
How to make a chair for Queen Elizabeth I, steps #5 – 10:
Heat bond leather to upholstery vinyl to reinforce structure. Measure holes. Leather punch holes. Drill holes in chair. Attach seat with decorative tacks.
How to make a chair for Queen Elizabeth I, steps #11 – 12:
Find old wood panel in barn. Change saw blade, cut oval & sand.
How to make a chair for Queen Elizabeth I, step #13:
Burn Tudor rose into oval panel.
How to make a chair for Queen Elizabeth I, step #14:
Carve Tudor rose into oval panel.
How to make a chair for Queen Elizabeth I, step #15:
Paint Tudor rose & glue to chair.
How to make a chair for Queen Elizabeth I, step #16 – 19:
Hand dye silk velvet, pin & sew & press to make cushion.
This was the fastest part of the whole project!
How to make a chair for Queen Elizabeth I, step #20 – 21:
Add oak studs & wax to finish!
How to make a chair for Queen Elizabeth I, step #22 – 23:
Use them on stage for our productions of The Chronicle of Nine: The Tragedy of Queen Jane and Elisabetta, Regina d’Inghilterra.
The Chronicle of Nine, From left to right: William Hite, Rebecca Krouner, the chair, Megan Pachecano
Elisabetta, Regina d’Inghilterra. Serena Farnocchia
Elisabetta, Regina d’Inghilterra. Left to right; Eric Fennell, Spencer Hamlin
