I found this cheap little chair last fall at a yard sale for $5.00. I had an idea of what I wanted to do with it, but it didn’t work out.
Not all projects involve a saw and drill.
So, I decided I wanted an easy fix. I love using drop cloth for projects, so I decided to do a weaved seat bottom with some scraps of drop cloth I have saved with my small stash of scrap material.
Torn or Broken Chair Seat
Funny story… the man that sold it to me said I could ask someone to cut a seat for me. heheheh Little does he know . . .
I considered cutting it up and making a towel rack to hang on the wall—but it was just too cute to cut up. Surprised?
Paint Thrift Store Chair
I had a paint marathon and needed something else to paint, so I grabbed the chair (I had already cut the seat off)
Begin to Weave Strips of Drop Cloth
It was a rainy gloomy day, so I was stuck inside working on some finishing touches on projects for Glendale. You know that last minute stuff—hardware, d-rings etc. I decided to work on the chair. I apologize for all the grainy cell phone pictures.
I tore some strips of drop cloth material and tied them around the chair rungs.
Continue Weaving Cross Strips
After tying the strips from left to right, I wove strips from font to back, leaving them untied for the time being.
Secure Woven Strips With Knots
I’ll try to explain how I did the underneath side.
I pulled each strip really tight, then woven it over and under, then tied a knot and trimmed off the excess fabric.
Easy Weave Chair Seat
Now, is where I tell you that I didn’t weave this seat to be a “sitting” chair. I expected it to be a loose weave that I might use as a planter. But it actually turned out better than I expected, and much tighter AND stronger. I sat on it and it didn’t even budge, and it’s not even uncomfortable.
I think it looks sort of primitive, which kind of matches the style of the chair. The left looks better because the strips on the right were apparently more wrinkled from being stored.
Nothing that an iron (or a Homeright Steamer) wont’ take care of, right? I just can’t help but love the look of the drop cloth material against black paint.
See how much I love drop cloth with black furniture?
black armchair with a drop cloth seat
How about a bench with a cute ruffled drop cloth cover?
Okay, so this is what I wanted to do with my $5 yard sale chair . . .
Leather belt seat from my friend Robin at Re-do It Yourself Inspirations.
But since I didn’t have a lot of spare leather belts hanging around, I opted for the drop cloth instead.
While putting this post together, I did a search on Pinterest and found this one from First A Dream. I love the way this one turned out. Maybe I’ll redo mine like this during a cold winter day someday soon.
Don’t you love Pinterest? By the way do you follow My Repurposed Life on Pinterest?
gail
See one of my first, and an all-time favorite chair projects here
See more Project Ideas for Chairs Here
Gail Wilson is the author and mastermind behind My Repurposed Life. She is obsessed with finding potential in unexpected places and believes that with a little hard work and imagination, any old thing can be made useful again, including herself!
Gail reinvented herself during a midlife crisis and has found purpose again. She hopes you will find new ideas for old things and pick up a few tools along the way.
Debbie from Michigan
I have a chair that has been in our family for at least 50years or more and it was a antique before that maybe more than 100 years old, no seat could never find anyone to re-weave it so now I will finally give it a seat. Thank you do much will finally use it for the purpose that it was intended for.
Debbie from Michigan
gail@myrepurposedlife.com
Happy you found this article Debbie!
gail
girlfromwva
fabulous!
Ruth
Love the chair redo!!! Follow you on pinterest, you are one of the few blogs I still follow!!!
Donna Marie
I live the tinier woven chair, but it's a lot more work!!!
Mindi
Oooo, this is so awesome!! I love the way it looks, and the chair is super cute, definitely not one to cut up! I think I may have to try this, great job Gail!
Kim
Gorgeous. Can you share a tip on getting the strips stretched tightly when tying? And about how wide do you suggest the strips be cut? Your work is such fun to follow!
gail@myrepurposedlife.com
Great question Kim!
I pulled as hard as I could to get the strip of fabric tight then sort of started the knot and twisted to hold it tight until I could finish the knot. In addition, the chair had a slight angle to it, so I tied the knot on the narrow portion, then slid it up to the wider portion which made it even tighter.
I hope that helps (and makes sense).
gail
chris aka monkey
isn't robins belt seat the bomb? i would not have thought of belts or scraps of drop cloth either great job gail xx
chris aka monkey
oh and yes i follow you on pinterest xx
Wendi @ H2OBungalow
This is such a good way to fix an old seat...I'm a sucker for a good ladder bck chair too. That would be awesome as a set with a small dinette. Love it & sharing!
cassie @ primitive & proper
that looks great with the drop cloth- awesome idea!!!
Robin @ Redo It Yourself Inspirations
I just LOVE your drop cloth woven chair! Genius idea. Pinned and shared (a must do!)
Thank you for sharing mine, Gail! š
You're so sweet!
Donna Peterson
Thank you for this great demonstration! I am going to get my chair out tomorrow and attempt to do this myself. You are wonderful! Donna
gail@myrepurposedlife.com
Yay Donna! I hope you love it. I love the look of the black paint with the drop cloth material. Thanks for stopping by.
gail