Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust: 04/01/11

Friday, April 1

New Life to a Thrift Store Chair

Well, it's finished.

But I barely survived it!
Ha!

My fingers are sore, by back hurts, &

I don't think I'll quit my day job for a career

in upholstery! :D

I've been talking about how I procrastinated

starting this project--

that's because I knew it was going to be tough.
This chair was done a little strangely to begin with.

This is what it looked like when I found it at the

thrift store for $8.

The price was right, but I was worried about

the way it was upholstered.

They say 90% of what we worry about never

happens. This was the other 10% that does!

But it was really sturdy &
I thought it had potential, so I brought it home.

Of course, the first step is to remove the dirty,

old fabric.

I wanted to save and re-use the nail-head trim.
A fork had to be sacrificed though.

I lightly sanded the wood.

Then I spray primed & spray painted the wood.
Here it is naked!

I made SO many mistakes, but I learned a lot.
I wish I would have bought more fabric.
I thought 2 yards (55" wide) would be ample, but it wasn't.

It would look more professional if
a medallion was centered on the seat
and on the back cushion.
But, I didn't have enough fabric to make it possible
& I was too cheap to buy more.

Also, real nail-head trim is really hard
to use!

Here's the conversation I had with my son:

Darling Son: "Are you finished with your chair?"

Me: "Yes, but don't look too closely--there are lots
of mistakes!"

Darling Son: "Yeah, your nail-head trim isn't
equally spaced . . ."

Me: "~~Oh yeah PUNK~~" "Yes, sweetheart, that
trim is really hard to get right."

I also learned that
adorable fabric is SO hard to find.
WHERE is it???
I love Home Goods, but they were cleaned out.

Anywho . . .
I do love the fabric.
($15 a yard at Hancock Fabrics)
Hopefully no one will look too
closely at the craftsmanship.