Porch Chairs

After a year of a half-finished porch, I finally spray-painted my other chair, fixed the back, and got 'er done!

Here's what they used to look like. 

How did I live with this? So, I thought about WHY I kept delaying this project. And there it was...

These chairs are mostly cushions/pillows that are easy to make. The back part, however, is a different story. This needed to be slip covered or upholstered. I got the first one done last summer; I used my go-to slipcover fabric: a drop cloth. The only problem was that it was a PAIN to do. 

Last week I decided to get over my resistance and just do it. But in this case the best needle and thread was actually a staple gun and staples. Yes, that's what I did. And I'm done.

What's funny (or sad) is that, just now, I looked over some past blog posts because I had a suspicion that I had written about this. I had. In June 2012. OK, it's been two years, not one.  Last year, I made some new cushions and the foot stool. Time flies....

Porch Make Over - Foot Stools Done!

Part one of my porch make-over is done. I completed my cute little foot stools - I made two of them. These are 18" tall with an 18" diameter circle. I stuffed the inner foot stool (that I made out of denim) with one bag of Fairfield Poly-Fil Bean Bag Filler. It's 2.5 cu feet. The cover is made from outdoor fabric that I purchased from Fabric Guru. It's zippered and removable. 

I just pinned that tassel in place - deciding if I want to sew it to the zipper pulls. I kinda like them - but I have to see if my cats play with them!

Stay tuned for more!

Once I'm done sewing, I'll get a pattern written up so you can make one of these. 

Porch Make-Over

I have a wonderful screened-in porch that I use all summer. I love it and my cats love it. About thirteen years ago, I purchased some rugs for a different home. When I moved to this house, I put those rugs on my porch where they stayed year-round...for eleven years!

For the past two years, I've been searching for new rugs. I knew what I wanted but had trouble finding them. Last month I hit pay dirt. Online. At Home Dept. I found my colorful and beautiful rugs on the cheap and bought two (roughly 5' x 7'). FYI - the rugs are discontinued...of course!

I then went to work taking down the old roller blinds and adding new ones. Here you can see my helpers. 

I found some great fabric at Fabric Guru that I will use to make some new cushions for....











 
.... these chairs. I know. Ick. I did a little work on them last year. But I'm taking it to the next level!

Thankfully, Fairfield World sent me some Poly-Fil polyester fiberfill - they will need to be re-stuffed!

And I'll be making some foot stools!
I have some other projects in mind, so stay tuned!

Porch Chair Renewal

In 1995 I moved to Conway, AR to teach at The University of Central Arkansas. I had no money and was just starting my creative sewing journey. I bought a set of chairs from the local Salvation Army (Goodwill??) and my mom helped me fix them up. After I stripped and stained them, I made the cushions and she upholstered the back. Burgundy floral with a burgundy chintz back. Yes, it was 1995.

I love these chairs but they have seen better days. In 2002, I moved to NY and they became an important addition to my screened porch. But my cat...and now catS used them as scratching posts, the sun has faded them, and my taste in floral prints has subsided. Last year I made some covers for the cushions (zippered so I could remove and wash them). Earlier this year, the jute webbing rotted and made one unsitable. 

It's ten years later and I finally have the time and the courage to tackle them on my own. And today was the day.

The first thing I did was remove the back. It was just screwed in. I headed to the basement and did a rough tracing of sides.

I then wrapped the back in fabric (the remaining drop cloth from my ottoman) and gave it a quick cut.

I wrapped and pinned. I took a water soluble marker and traced over my pins. I used that line as a guide to sew.

I machine basted the sides (with blue thread so I could see it), did a refit, then sewed the sides closed.

The bottom was a bit tricky - but it sits under the chair so it isn't visible - so I folded the fabric over and hammered in some upholstery tacks to hold it in place.

I screwed it back in place and cut some new jute.

All done!! I realized that I've been channeling my mother this week. She died last May and I miss her terribly. She was creative and quietly confident...and she could make anything. She was 71 when she helped me with these chairs back in 1995. I think she would have loved the update!

And just in time for the weekend!