MAKING A MINIATURE WICKER CHAIR
Pattern and instructions by...
DOLLY OSMAN.
Kit Contents:
1 predrilled wood seat
2 pieces #18G floral wire 3 1/2 inches long
2 pieces #18G floral wire 2 1/2 inches long
8 pieces #24G floral wire 2 inches long
7 pieces #24G floral wire 3 inches long
1 piece sand paper
1 tootpick
1 roll waxed linen
Instructions:
Mark the 4 corner wires (18G) at 1 1/2" and insert them through the seat at holes 1, 6, 14 and 19; twisting as you push them thru the holes, leaving 1 1/2" on the bottom side.
Mark the seven 24G wires at one inch and put them through the back 7 holes (#7 thru #13).
Mark the 8 two inch wires at the center and insert them through the sides of the chair (#2 thru #5 and #15 thru #18).
Position all of these wires so that the pencil mark is at the top side of the holes and put a dot of crazy glue followed by a dot of tacky glue on the top and bottom side of each wire and let the glue set up for a few minutes.
Put another small dot of glue by the second wire (#2) on the right side of the seat.
Start the cord by looping it around the #2 wire and then around the #1 wire and start weaving the cord in and out around the whole chair for 25 rows ending at the left front (#19) Loop around the left front (19) wire and weave to the left back corner(#14) and stop.
Using a toothpick, put a drop of crazy glue on top of each weave where the wire comes through the cord, followed by a drop of tacky glue and let the glue set up for a few minutes.
Start making the back of the chair by weaving back and forth across the 7 back wires (#14 to #6) for 12 rows and turn for the eighth row at the next to last wire (#13) on the left side and back to the second from the right (#7) to decrease the weaving to 5 wires.
Weave a 2nd row, then decrease on each side at wires #12 and #8 so you have 3 left wires to weave.
Weave 2 rows, and stop. Put a dot of crazy glue at each wire followed by a dot of tacky glue on each wire where it comes through the cord.
Let set up for a few minutes and cut the cord.
Attach the cord to the underside the same way as you did the top and weave around 3 sides for 6 rows.
Put a dab of crazy glue followed by a dab of tacky glue on each wire where it comes through the cord and let the glue set up for a few minutes.
Clip the wires as close to the weave as you can without cutting the cord. Using needle nose pliers, roll the side wires outward to make arm rests and roll the top back slightly.
Optional:
Glue the cord fast to the legs on the inside where it comes through the cord and wrap it around the leg spiraling downward to end of leg and glue. This will give the effect of the legs being finished with a spiral of wicker. Because of using the heavier wire for the legs, you don't really have to wrap the legs.
Spray the chair with Krylon paint in the color of your choice and add a cushion in your choice of colors.
The pattern for this chair was designed so that you will have room to work on getting your weave even, keeping your wires straight, and gluing where need be. After you have conquered those things, you can design your own pattern with fancy work in it.
TIPS ON MAKING WICKER FURNITURE
1. When making a pattern, always use an uneven number of wires so you can turn and weave the opposite way on every other row.
2. Other types of cord can be used depending on the size of your piece and the scale you are working in.
3. Sanding your wood before hand will make it easier to insert the wires through the wood. Make sure your holes are predrilled in proportion to the gauge floral wire you are using.
4. Keep your wires as straight as possible because it will show if they are crooked.
5. Avoid pulling your weave too tight because it will bend the wires slightly on each row you weave.
6. Glue the tips of all pieces of floral wire. I glue before I cut so the wrapping does not come off the wire. I put a pencil mark where I want to cut, and take a dab of glue on my finger and twirl the wire where the glue is.
7. Keeping your weave even and not skipping a wire are two of the most important factors in making an attractive looking piece of mini wicker furniture.
8. If you want to use paint on your wicker other than spray paint, use an old toothbrush to apply it. It will get the paint down into the weave better.
9. Tools needed for wicker work are generally a pair of small wire cutters, a small bladed pair of scissors or finger nail clippers, drill with very small bits of the same gauge as your wire, a toothpick to apply glue and another one to push rows together are helpful.
10. When counting rows, remember each row that shows on the outside of a wire is the second of 2 rows except on the end wire where turning.
11. When anchoring a new piece of cord, pull cord downward and apply a drop of glue. When glue sets up, snip cord as close to the ending wire as possible.
12. After snipping the excess wires, you may apply another dab of glue if cord doesn't seem to be anchored properly.
13. This isn't rocket science or brain surgery, so relax and enjoy what you are doing. If you make a mistake, unravel the cord and reweave it, no big deal.
Dolly's Mini Dry Goods Emporium
55 B Street, Northumberland, PA 17857-1260
EMAIL DOLLY
Note from Garnette:
"Dolly is very active in miniatures here in Pennsylvania. She has her own miniature business called; "Dolly's Mini Dry Goods Emporium", specializing in fabrics and trims. She's a member of the Susquehana Mini Makers and is also an active member of the online digest... "Small Stuff".
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