For the love of footstools!

I have always loved little footstools. I must not be the only one, because every one that I have put in my antiques booth sells within days. I have collected many over the years... needlepoint, tapestry, velvet, and some that had me scratching my head and wondering "what were they thinking when they covered this!" I have even bought a few that are just base and legs, without a cushion.  This brings me to my project for today. I saw a small bench in a vendor booth ( Mary Flanagan Woolens....www.mfwoolens.com ) in Houston, so I will not take full credit for this idea  

Getting started

I started by finding an old footstool that had seen better day. This one was dinged and scratched, with a grimey, faded orange cover. I then gathered a bunch of wool scraps. I used pieces that were purchased, collected from discarded wool clothing, and even thrift store sweaters that have been "felted". Now I probably should have saved this project for cooler weather, considering the heat index today was 105 degrees, but decided to get a head start on Fall anyway!!   I chose Annie Sloan Chalk Paint color ... Olive to paint my stool, then distressed slightly, followed by AS clear and rustic waxes.

Make sure to use a mat!!

Using a rotary cutter with a pinking blade, cut the wool into strips about 3/4" wide and 16"-18" long. You will need a bunch. My stool used 80-90.

Lots and lots of strips

Once you have all your pieces cut it is time to start rolling. Roll them "jellyroll" style". Then with a long needle and thread, secure them all the way through a couple times and tie off.

Use a neutral thread.

Now that you have a gillion little roll, lets get to gluing. I used E6000 glue, it's thick,sticks well, and dries clear for those of us that get a little messy, ( because we want it done NOW)** I forgot to mention that I did recover the yucky cushion with a cotton fabric** Start with one roll at a time. Dab some glue on the bottom of   and place a row on one side. I did the perimiter first, then filled in toward the center, making sure they fit snug. So this is how my little footstool turned out.                                       





To sell or not to sell???