My New Chair

Oh man, I finally did it. I think it took about 9 months in total, but it is done and I feel quite happy about it. When ever I create something, I want there to be some element of new in it. Whether it is a new sewing technique, a new knitting pattern or something I have never done before. Figuring out new things is interesting and it makes me think. For instance, at our wedding I made stained glass center pieces for every table. I had never done it before, but it was a ton a fun (I expect I'll get back to it some time). Most of our furniture is either hand-me-downs or from Ikea. While this has been really great, I have never been able to have something that I 100% love. Because furniture is so darn expensive, I felt the only way I could get something I love would be to make it myself. How hard could it really be to reupholster, right?

My parents agreed to buy me a chair as a gift for residency graduation. I told them my plan and I'm sure they were happy about it. I found this duo below for only $50. This is a bad photo but it was the best the dark basement and my cell phone could do. For now just focus on the chair on the right (I am completely ignoring the fact that I also bought a couch!). I checked out a couple books from the library and started plugging away. I was going to take everything apart very carefully so I would know how to put the new stuff back on. There was piping all on the edges. I was surprised to see that this was just glued on and was very easily removed. Next came the horrible part, removing all the staples. I really didn't think it could be that bad, but all the staples are in little wooden grooves that make it almost impossible to grab the staple in the first place. Second, who placed those staples was definitely trigger happy. I would like to let that person know I do not appreciate it. With the chair being in the dark basement and this task needing hours and hours of time, I found myself avoiding the project. With a three year old at home, how often can you sneak away and hide in the basement? Not too often. Eventually, the staples were out and this is how it looked.

Not too pretty. You might be able to see that in the end I just tore the fabric and batting. I was pretty sick of the whole process. Now the creative process actually begun. I knew I didn't like the lighter color to the wood so I took a visit to a home improvement store. To do things right, I put on a couple coats of primer, a couple of coats of color and a couple coats of protective layer. Between each of these layers needed a few hours to dry, which for me usually meant at least a day because I would put on coats at night and it would get too late before I could come back to it again. When I was done with that I bought fabric and started stapling. Not the best of times. My hand was so sore. I could have bought and electric stapler, but I went cheap.

After the stapling was the sewing. It has been really hot here in KC and my sewing machine is upstairs in the heat so the sewing portion was placed on hold for a while. Finally I was ready. I sewing up all the piping and the cushion and I glued the piping in place and voila!

Night and day, right? There are small things that show I'm an obvious beginner, but that's okay. I learned a lot and it is done! Such a relief. Now on to the next project. Sorry this is so wordy, but I thought some people might like to replicate it. It doesn't take that many tools (a screwdriver and a staple gun) and I definitely saved money. Hope everyone can see it in person.