Mark one off

One of my half-done projects is finished.

I think she's pretty hot if I do say so myself, with her sexy curves. 

This was my Granny's chair. I have no idea how old she is,but I'm guessing at least sixty.

I had her professionally reupholstered a couple of years ago for Alyssa.

See her there in the background? Only before shot I could find.

I really debated on whether or not to paint the wood.

I usually have no qualms about painting wood, but since she was my Granny's I went back and forth before deciding that in order for her to really shine, she should be white.

The wood just blends in with my floor and it was not in the best shape anyway.

I was a little disappointed by the job the upholsterer had done. I mean the work itself was fine, but instead of using cording made from the upholstery fabric to trim the edges, he used matching gimp.

It looked OK, just not what I expected, for what I paid.

I made double welt cording and think it looks a little more finished this way.

I took a few photos of the process, but I am in no way qualified to write a tutorial on upholstery.

Every piece of furniture is different. For this particular gal, the worst part was removing the old fabric. Holy staples Batman. To say I removed ten billion staples is no exaggeration. Well, maybe a tad, but no less than several hundred.

Can you see all those staples?  They were in deep too. I couldn't get a flat head screwdriver under there to pry them out.

I have this pointy, poke-your-eye-out-if-you-aren't-careful thingy.

That did the trick.

I wrapped some tape around all but the tip so it didn't dent the wood.

 

Once all those staples were out, I just cleaned and sprayed the wood.

I kept the batting underneath, because it was only a couple of years old. I just taped the edges to keep it away from the frame.

The rest was pretty easy in comparison to pulling out all those staples.

Just staple on fabric in the reverse order it came off.

There are a variety of methods for making double welt cording.

I don't have a special double cording foot or even double cording. I use my zipper foot and regular cording.

Measure what you need for your project and cut strips of fabric 2 inches wide.

 For this, I cut the fabric straight across the width from selvedge to selvedge instead of cutting the fabric on the bias.

I sewed the strips from end to end, at an angle- sorry, no photo of that step.
Now that you have a long strip of fabric, take it to the machine. Wrap it around far enough to cover the cording and using  your zipper foot sew very close to the cording.

Sew to the end or your fabric.

Lay a second piece of cording up next to the first one. Snuggle it in close, but not too close. You want enough room to sew down the center. Not too much room. Just a little. How technical is that?

Sew down the center of the little valley between the two pieces of cording.

 Trim away any excess fabric from the seam, so that it doesn't show from the front.

Glue that baby down with hot glue and your friends will be very impressed.

Glad to have one thing marked off my list. Now if you'll excuse me, I've got some pillows to make.

Here's one more look at my sexy girl. You can stare at her curves if you want. She doesn't mind.

 

 

I'll be sharing this at the following link parties. Check them out for some great inspiration.

 

Comments

[jeanne]

Fantastic! Hat's off to you and your mad sewing skills!
What a wonderful chair. Granny is proud, I am sure of it.

xo Jeanne.
bess knees bungalow

[beki]

It looks wonderful!!

[Karen]

WOW! What a difference paint makes! I'm with you on painting heirlooms from ancestors. But this really makes the rocker stand out. I'm trying to get up the nerve to paint my pie safe. I also love your material and cording tutorial. Can't wait to see more projects!

[Kandra]

Wow! What a BEAUTIFUL job you did! I have yet to tackle furniture - scares me too much! LOL But I love that rocker... it.. hmmmm.. ROCKS! :D

[Amie]

Wonderful job, I have a rocker that I need to do the same thing too, just have to add it to the million and one list of projects to do, of course :) Well done!

[Nancy L.]

Gorgeous!! I'm impressed! I've been on the fence about painting my grandma's kitchen table (the top isn't real wood) - I think you just pushed me over the fence. Now just gotta figure out how to paint that laminate/plastic-y stuff. It's just begging to be painted white. Any suggestions?

[Autum]

Nancy,
Laminate is not a problem to paint, the key is to take the shine or slickness off the laminate. You can scuff it up with a scotch-brite pad or they sell liquid sanding agents that also degloss. The second critical step is to use a good bonding primer. Give it a couple of coats of primer and you should be able to get a nice finish. For a long time I tried skipping the primer step, but it really is worth the little extra time it takes. The paint goes on much smoother and adheres better.
Let me know if you paint it. Id love to see pictures!

xo Autum

[tricia]

She is beautiful!

[SilverLining Designs]

Autum, Fantastic job. The chair really looks great. Isn't it great when you can check something off your list?!! I love being able to do that.

[Bridgette]

You are amazing, not to mention an inspiration!

[Michele in IL.]

super good job! Love the fabric and the painted chair.

[Autum]

Thank you so much Michele!

[Autum]

Thank you Tricia!

[Autum]

Bridgette, you are always so kind! Thank you : )

[Autum]

Thank you Amie!

[Autum]

Thank you Kandra. Ha, ha, it rocks!  Yes it does ; )

[Autum]

Hi Karen. I painted a pie safe once. The thing is, there is always paint stripper if you change your mind.

[Autum]

Thank you Beki! I hope you are doing well! I miss the old days of blogging, dont you? I

[Autum]

Thank you Jeanne. I know Granny would love it!

[calbrecan]

That looks beautiful! I love everything about it. I am wondering what fabric you used because that would be perfect in my baby's room. I'm wanting to cover some roller blinds.

[Autum]

Thank you! The fabric is a Braemore print called Joy. I think the color is pearl. Hope this helps.

[Tena]

This is absolutely beautiful! I know it can be hard to paint a family piece, but you made the right choice with the white. I have a cedar chest that is in very bad shape and every day I think about painting it. You have inspired me!

[Jenny]

Aahhhh! Have I told you lately how much I love you Autum!!! I have been looking for a tutorial on how to make double piping for a chair I am about to recover and blow me down look what you posted LOL!!! Thanks so much!!!
Have a great weekend!
Hugs
Jen xo

[Aloha Charlie]

Beautiful job! Love the fabric choice and the double piping!

Aloha,
Charlie

[Julia @ 551 East Design]

Thank you, thank you, thank you for showing how to do the double piping!!!!!! I have a chair that I need to reuphoslter but I keep putting it off. You've inspired me!

PS I have a $50 cash giveaway going on on my blog right now. Come by when you get a chance! :)