Jamie calls this the cutest ugly chair ever. While we were thrifting during their visit at Christmas, jamie found this vintage rocking chair. I secretly called her dad and asked him to go pick it up while we ran some other errands. We surprised her with it and I promised to recover it for her as a birthday present.
While jamie and andy were here for Mother’s day we discussed the possible fabrics.
We agreed on the one in the middle. Long story short, I thought it might be too thick, I ordered a yard of another fabric and it was totally wrong. So I rushed to order a yard of the Allante Seafoam Blue Marine Vinyl from onlinefabricstore.net. Because of the extra time (shipping) I didn’t get this project completed in time for Jamie’s birthday. If you follow me on Facebook, this is the project I was referring to.
So, anyhow the fabric arrived on a Thursday, and we were meeting to celebrate her birthday on Saturday. I worked on this most of Friday afternoon, and evening till about 10:30 PM.
I removed the seat and the back from the chair frame.
I then started removing all of the old staples.
I used the old pieces to trace the new pieces.
It sort of is a funny (silly) chair.
I typically use my hem guide to line up my vinyl. It felt weird to actually use it while I sewed. I used it to measure the fabric for the piping, and for the “rim” around the seat.
I had already made the piping, so in this picture you can see that I am sewing the rim, the piping and the seat together.
Peeking to make sure it’s all sewing close enough to the piping.
Looks pretty good, eh? Sorry for the poor picture quality. Remember it was late (dark).
I got the seat done, and stapled back on.
I got the back stapled on.
Then I hit my “snag”. The back was stapled on, and the back of the back was sewn on. It’s hard to describe and it’s even harder to sew. (the covering over the back of the back is pinned on)
My question to you is how do I do this? Surely someone has done this and can give me a few tips. I was thinking I need a curved needle?
It’s very difficult to do with a darning needle. Have YOU ever done something like this? Can you give me the secret to getting it done, and having it look right? I’m counting on some help from my friends.
I will be traveling through Nashville on my way to HAVEN in Atlanta in a couple of weeks. I must get this chair finished.
Help!
gail
see more chair projects here:
decoguy says
June 5, 2012 at 6:36 pmthis was done very well! i see that you had the same problems as i did, i had a hard stitching since the material was so tough. what did you do to make it more easier or smoother when sewing? and where did you get that fabric for the chair cover
Mazavaroo Chilli says
June 5, 2012 at 10:32 amLove the chair. My dad was an upholterer and he always used what he called a circular needle, really only half a circle. I often use one when finishing off cushion covers.
Stephanie says
June 4, 2012 at 11:38 pmOh wow, I think billboard goddess should do a guest post for us on how to do stuff like that! that was so darn helpful. Yahoo! now you can get ur done.
Corn in my Coffee-Pot says
June 4, 2012 at 9:17 pmI was going to suggest the curved needles…this from someone who is fearful to tackle THE upholstery project.
Anyway… I think it looks great.
Pat
Amy@BuffaloRoam says
June 4, 2012 at 7:20 pmLooking good! It sure won’t be an ugly chair anymore!
Toqua's Crafts says
June 4, 2012 at 3:37 pmWhat a wonderful comment from billboard goddess just above!
I was going to tell you that the curved needle is the way to go! But, you’ve already got that information from Andrea!
Challenges are good for us. It keeps us humble and it keeps us learning new things. Both are good for us.
As usual you’re doing a beautiful job!
billboard goddess says
June 4, 2012 at 2:23 pmi am a professional upholsterer and have some extra curved needles i could send you. You have the right idea, however the stitched have to be straight up and down instead of angled like in your picture. When they are straight up and down and you pull the stitching tight, they disappear. With that being said, vinyl is the hardest material to stitch through, i use gloves with non slip coating on the outside to get the need through all the layers. Also, you will stitch right into the piping or edging, don’t sew from back fabric into front fabric, you will see the stitching, which it looks like you are doing. When you use this technique, the color of your thread won’t matter because you won’t see it. Anyway, my e-mail is andrea@adesignstudiollc.com, i can get the needles out to you right away.
Jamie@OwlReally.com says
June 4, 2012 at 2:03 pmI am totally ok with you gluing it! 🙂
laxsupermom says
June 4, 2012 at 1:56 pmThere is a curved upholstery needle that you can buy that makes it easier. I can’t wait to see the big reveal. Thanks for sharing.
Korrie Bastian says
June 4, 2012 at 1:53 pmI’ve never done it, but I have read that the curved needle is the trick! Can’t wait for you to figure it out and show the rest of us 😉
Proper Prim says
June 4, 2012 at 1:29 pmFirst of all.. what a cute little chair. I have never seen one like that before. It is so unique. Love the colour you chose.
As far as your question goes… could you not staple it on between your piping and fabric so it won’t show. Just a guess. How did they have it on there?
It is so frustrating when you can’t figure something out and you have no spare time to play with it. I hope you get it done in time. I hope someone comes to your aid soon.
Hugs,
Deb
Pam says
June 4, 2012 at 1:21 pmCan’t wait to see the whole thing finished. I have a wooden rocker that one day I might redo….it was handed down to me from my mom. My daughter and son both used it….it was mine when I was a small child. Thanks for sharing.
Terri says
June 4, 2012 at 12:58 pmI am not sure I would say this is the ” cutest ugly chair” I have ever seen, but it is certainly the most unique! I will say it is definitely getting cuter since you started working on it!
Is there any way that since the fabric is vinyl, it can be glued? I am sure that is an obvious idea and one that you have already thought of and discarded, but I had to throw it out there just in case!
I know you will come up with the perfect solution…can’t wait to see it finished!
Deanna @ It's Just Me says
June 4, 2012 at 12:00 pmGail, Jamie is gonna LOVE her present. You’re doing such a beautiful job, as usual : ) I wish I could give you some help with the cushion. I had a similar issue with a desk chair I re-did for Roland and I struggled too. Have a fun and safe journey to Atlanta : )
Hugs ~
Deanna
Gail says
June 4, 2012 at 11:29 amI have no clue. Looks like you’re doing a fantastic job.
What a thoughtful present, looks comfortable.
Anonymous says
June 4, 2012 at 2:23 pmWhat a thoughtful gift – you are a great mom, the love you share with your daughter and then with us is inspiring!
Do you have an upholstery shop in your area that might offer you some advice? Maybe they can show you how to handle this problem?
I really enjoy your website, you have such determination and creativity, thank-you!!
JoAnn