Humpty finally finished & in situ ! ...

The Humpty's finally finished & it's now in place - here's just the top of it ... clean with all the 'knots & ties' replaced.

Humpty Stitching ...

Here is the reverse side of the central panel, backed with fine nylon net curtain for ease of stitching. The smaller stitches are those used for the initial 'smaller' smocked lines - the large stitches are those of the second smocking (ie the fatter of the rows (see image below).

If you want to know more about transfers & their use, click here.

This shows the 2 sets of smocking lines as well as the black machine stitching rows that hold the embroidered mats in place. Also visible are the various crochet edges of some mats as well as some original 1940s embroidery.

The final outer 'bag' is now on the Humpty, all missing rings replaced. It's now ready for the outer panels & base to be laced on.

As an alternative at this stage, the corner 'ears' could just be left or tied with a cord as per the original 1930's Humpty instructions (specific books mentioned can be found in Bibliography here).

Making a Humpty !

Here's the start of sewing information for making a Humpty (an alternative name for a Pouffe) - actually I'm repairing my old one I made a few years ago & repairing/cleaning it. If you want to see where I'm at so far click here.

Here's the main 'inner' Humpty:

Basically it's a seat (pouffe) & I made mine a few years ago using an authentic 'Humpty' pattern from around 1930. Adapted somewhat, I made it with a detachable cover (for cleaning or replacement) & was able to use 20 lbs. of scrap clothes, fabric etc to fill it with! (a great way to recycle).

If you want to make one too, the basic pattern's below - sizes & sewing instructions can be found under 'Humpty' if you, click here

Black Cushions revived ...

Some original decorative 18"/45cm square cushions made a few years ago have now been re-vampled into 12"/30cm ones to be used for back cushions (see more details here). Here's some close-ups of the techniques & fabrics originally used in their making. Since I wanted the cushions to be purely decorative, I combined both dressmaking & furnishing fabrics & haberdashery. Both cushions have a thick, heavy tassel furnishing braid, edge-stitched on after completing the cushion - the weight of this trim holds the cushion firmly in place on the chair as well as helping to co-ordinate the overall decor.

Below is a black furnishing moiré with metallic braid zig-zagged down to create a false flap. The button has been made using some of the patterned velvet to cover a plastic dressmakers covering button.

This next image shows the dressmaker's velvets (one plain, the other metallic stitched) seamed with a metallic polyester in the joining seam.