The moment I saw this tutorial I knew I wanted to follow it!
First let me link you to the original French Chaise tutorial by the enormously talented Kris at 1InchMinis.
I downloaded the pattern for the chaise from the original tutorial. Luckily for me Kris has a mini tutorial on resizing patterns so you get the correct sizing. I just took it a step further and resized it so I could work in 1:24 (half scale). SO far so good..
Being an Aussie who works in Metric (cm’s) rather than Imperial (inches) I went to a handy conversion site and found out what those weird numbers actually were in millimetres. I then reduced the required thicknesses to half of that suggested in the original tutorial.
It is really hard to source some materials in Australia unless you live IN a capital city and can visit a modelling shop. I also live regionally so its REALLY hard unless I plan ahead for 6 weeks and buy things on Ebay (and then wait…who wants to WAIT when the mini mood strikes?). I didn’t have Foamboard so I made my base from balsa wood.
The back of the chaise I made from some cardstock but used 2 layers instead of three to reduce the thickness. I found it incredibly hard to work with – as it was my first time and had no idea what I was doing =) I tried to make a smooth transition as Kris has but it looks crappy. To try and get a smooth edge I actually sort of stuffed it with putty stuff and sanded it. Win? No not really but I learnt a lot!
The fabric inserts and making the cushiony bits were really easy as I am used to working with fabric. For the trim I just used 3 strands of embroidery thread instead of the 6 that Kris uses. Her tutorial includes a mini tutorial on twisting the thread to make a nice edging – bonza! She really thinks of everything =)
I TRIED to make the lovely legs that Kris has in her tutorial but cardstock legs in 1:24 scale were so fiddly and I kept sanding entire layers of card off them. Instead I hand turned (first time) some bits of basswood and made different legs. Score! One of them set a bit wonky so the chaise can look a bit drunk from certain angles but it does sit evenly.
What did I learn?
- My cardstock cutting skills need LOTS of work – a good small craft knife is essential for 1:24 scale
- Black fabrics are much more forgiving than white for me (I need to wash my hands every 2 minutes)
- Glue is my enemy =(
- I need to buy better quality paints and brushes
