I was digging through some old pictures today and came across these 'before' pictures for a chair I upholstered last spring. If Shredded Chic worked in a family environment, I might have kept the chair as it was—it had its own appeal, all shredded and torn.
This thing was old. Perhaps big-bummed-bustle gowns explain its size.
Tacks are more of a pain to remove than staples—but more gratifying. Once you get a good purchase on one, it prys out like butter. They aren't so friendly on bare feet though.
I only had one day to finish the job before photographing the chair for a tradeshow. I was 5 months pregnant so this was quite a task. Upholstering is like wrestling a dusty, groggy bear. Afterward, you're covered with claw marks and you're sore all over.
Isaac was very attentive that day, fussing over my swollen self, bringing me tools and water, untangling the air hose as needed. He was fascinated with the process and envious of the loud racket I was making. Though I learned upholstery back in college, Isaac had never witnessed me do the work.
He got involved here and there. He had his first adventure with a webbing stretcher; he tied the springs back into place for me too and made sure the frame was square again—he did an excellent job.
I'm planning to have him do ALL of the prep work next time. That should save me a few pulled muscles.
I'll post 'before' photos of my next project and get your take on color/fabric combos.
Truth is, such physical work is a nice change of pace. With gear laid out and a queue of chairs ready to go, the blazing heat of the garage is nothing a freezy Jamba Juice and a run through the sprinklers can't remedy.
would love to know how to upholster, wonder if it is something they teach over at MCC? I have a few chairs I’d like to recover!
heather from arizona, you are one faithful gal. Thank you for your lovely comments on every post. I’m glad to hear from you.
I’m not familiar with MCC’s offerings. I can tell you about a store in Mesa that has a lot of the supplies you might need. It’s called Mesa Sales and is on Main between Gilbert & Lindsay. They carry tack strip, foam, cordings, and so forth.
That chair has nice bones. I have to admit that I liked the before picture .. especially the cute dog!
Love that chair! I hope we will get to see “after” pics of the chairs you are upholstering. 🙂 And I think it would be amazing to see an eclectic mix of chairs covered in HB fabrics in your reception area. Or I could send you my address if you wanted to ship one a few states to your East. I’m sure I have a birthday coming up some time! LOL
Wow, for being so old, the bones look to be in fabulous shape!
And as for upholstering while 5 months pregnant- I feel your pain! I did our couch and chair (whose old old bones were not in nearly as good of shape!) at 4-5 months prego, too. Not all that fun!
Ditto to Mesa Sales! Love them 🙂
You’re so right that the “before” had its own charm … sometimes I think that’s what inspires us most to recreate things even though they’ve got their place as they are.
Good bones—what a great way to put it. I love it.
And Kirsten. You’re in Gilbert too!? What’s it going to take for me to meet some local seamsters? I’m off to visit your blog right now.
Yep, I’m in Gilbert, too! We are (finally) having another Modern Quilt Guild meeting on June 30, and you are welcome to come 🙂
Sounds fun. Are you in Jona’s group?
I live in New Hampshire and the state is crawling with chairs like this. I have dreams of reupholstering several to put into my home and eventually will get around to it. I have to say that the picture of the miniature Schnauzer caught me off tearily off guard. I had a Sparky growing up. *sigh*
Great job on the chair! It’s a beauty. *!*
Yes, it’s at Jona’s house this month.
So, so happy to know that I’m not the only ‘chair collector’ out there!!! Most of the ones I’ve found are barebones ladderbacks or just wooden school chairs. We found two old blue ladderbacks with woven seats at a craft show years ago. They are old, in bad repair, but I love putting bears in them! I also have the high chair that my grandmother used with my dad, uncles and aunts, and with me, too. Lots of chair love around here!
So where did you find that chair? I would love to find something with great bones to fix up, but I don’t even know where to look.