A New Life for My Old Cane Chair

Today I want to share my guest post I did for Craftionary.

It all started with this old chair I found at Habitat Restore.  Well, you know how sometimes you have too many unfinished projects?  That's me, so I kept on walking.   I bought some small thing but kept thinking about the chair.  It was $10.  As I was getting in my car I realized I really wanted this chair.  The fabric was in bad shape but the chair itself was in good shape.  I bought this lovely in May and after tossing around lots of color and fabric ideas around in my head I finally "recreated" it this month.   

There were so many fabrics and colors I loved but in the end it had to be something that could work with  the cane siding.  There was a polka dot fabric and a Chevron one that I adored but, it wasn't happening - too much pattern and I don't want anyone getting dizzy looking at my chair!   So... I  decided to use the Waverly Button Blooms fabric I bought earlier and love so much.  It is pictured with the cotton clothes line I found cheap at Walmart to make cording for the chair.

Then on to the paint.  With this fabric there were several choices.  I chose blue and was delighted to see that Valspar makes Waverly Fabric inspired paint.  I bought a $3 sample bottle of Blue Sail - it was all I needed and still have a bit left for a smaller project.  Amazing.

I started by turning the chair over and removing the screws holding the seat in place.  I'm not quite sure why but.............

There was a board attached to another board that had a large cut out area.  Made no sense to me and if any of you out there have an explanation for this I would LOVE to hear from you.  Needless to say, all the old foam was tossed 

And I didn't remove this tag.  Even though it is pretty scary looking!

Next up was painting this baby. (I won't bore you with removing the old fabric or the gazillion staples that had to be removed.  :)  What a job that was!)

Once the chair was ready I used Rustoleum 2X Satin Heirloom White as a primer just because I had it on hand.  Then painted the Valspar Blue Sail onto my chair.  One coat was pretty much all it needed except for a few spots.

This picture (above) is with the pattern I made using posterboard for the back panels.

 Now for the re-upholstery part    For most projects I use a one inch wide ruler to cut fabric strips on the bias (that means you cut diagonally across the fabric.)  It allows the cording to be more flexible.  

Here you see how to sew the cording pieces together ( front sides facing  ) Then iron the seam open.

Fold over and use your zipper foot (if you have one) to sew the fabric tight around the cord.

Usually, you would want to save the original piece to use as your pattern, but this old fabric fell apart and was pretty yucky.  So, I started from scratch.

I placed the bottom board onto the back of my fabric.   Then I drew around the board allowing 1" extra all around for the seam allowance.  The side and front pieces were 3" deep so I cut out one long strip 5" wide and 54" long.  With the seat fabric facing up I pinned the cording (raw edges matching) and the side piece (facing down.)  Stitched all around the seat with the zipper foot to get a tight fit. 

For the cushion, I used the old seat board to trace a pattern onto new 3" deep foam and some batting.

I placed the foam on the board then added some batting to the top.  I placed the finished cover over it and started stapling all around the base.

Now, on to the back of the chair.  I had traced a pattern onto some poster board for the back fabric panels.  I cut out 2 pieces for the front and back.  I pinned the back with the right side facing out

Then I stapled around the edges.

Placed a thin layer of batting over the back piece and then two strips of jute cut to size for added strength.  I secured this with a few more staples.

Next layer was a 1" deep piece of foam cut to fit inside the layers.  Another thin layer of batting over that and a few more staples.  

For the seat back cording I cut more bias strips but, instead of sewing this I used fabric glue.  I folded over one edge and tucked the raw edge under the folded one.  Pinned it to some cork on top of wax paper to dry.

For the finished back I took the other fabric piece and began tucking in the raw edge at the top and sides.  And more stapling again as you can (hopefully) see in this picture.   Then I used the fabric glue to attach the cording to the back.  I did use straight pins to hold this in place until it was dry. 

Then I put the seat in place and secured with screws.  It is far from perfect but I am happy with my first attempt at recovering a chair!  Hope you enjoyed this and have a wonderful creative week!

Linking to these lovely parties!

WEDNESDAY

Creating My Way to Success - Wednesday Blog Hop

Night Owl Crafting - Hoo's Got Talent?

Domestically Speaking - Power of Paint Party

Southern Lovely - Show & Share

Handy Man, Crafty Woman-Wicked Awesome Wednesday

Sister's Stuff - Link Up Wednesday

Bunny Jean's - Bunny Hop Wednesday 

Ginger Snap Crafts - Wow me Wednesday

The Stuff of Success - Success U
Primitive and Proper - Piece of Work Wednesday

                               Blue Cricket Design - Show and Tell Wednesday

Polka Dots on Parade - Wow Me Wednesday

Savvy Southern Style - Wow Us Wednesdays
No Minimalist Here - Open House
Sew Woodsy - What's up Wednesdays

THURSDAY

Momnivore's Dilemma - Creative Juice Thursday

Somewhat Simple - Strut Your Stuff

The Shabby Creek Cottage - Transformation Thursday

A Little Knick Knack- Everything but the Kitchen Sink

Kreative Korner - Tea Time Thursdays

                                        A Creative Princess - It's a Party!

My Repurposed Life - Catch as Catch Can

Saved by Love Creations - Thrifty Thursday

Crafty Scrappy Happy - Me Thursday

House of Hepworths - Hookin Up with HoH

Fireflies and Jellybeans - Show off Your Stuff

Paisley Passions - Thrilling Thursday

FRIDAY

delicate CONSTRUCTION - Delicately Constructed Fridays

The Thrifty Groove - Thrifty Things Friday

Bacon Time with the Hungry Hungry Hypo - Party Mindie Style

Spunky Junky -  Feature Friday

The Answer is Chocolate - Blog Feature Friday

504 Main - Tickled Pink

Miss Mustard Seed - Furniture Feature Friday

Chic on a Shoestring-Flaunt It Friday

Remodelaholic - Friday Remodelaholic

Fingerprints on the Fridge - Feature Yourself Friday

The Shabby Nest - Frugal Friday 

Whipperberry - Friday Flair

Mel Dreams Often - 2 for Tuesday

Serenity Now - Weekend Bloggy Reading

At the Picket Fence - Inspiration Friday

French Country Cottage - Feathered Nest Fridays

My Romantic Home- Show and Tell Friday 

My Repurposed Life - Catch as Catch Can

Just a Girl - Show and Share Day

Sassy Sites - Free For All Friday

Mommaskindacrafty   - Fantabulous Friday 

It's a Hodge Podge Life - Friday

Family Ever After - Once Upon a Weekend

SATURDAY

Gingerbread - Sweet Saturday

Funky Junk Interiors - Saturday Nite Special

Tatertots & Jello - Weekend Wrap Up
Day and Age Design - Social Saturdays

Craft Envy - Saturday Spotlight

A Law Student's Journey - Saturday Show Off

SUNDAY
I Heart Naptime - Sundae Scoop

The DIY Showoff - DIY Project Parade

It's So Very Cheri - Party Time and Blog Hop

Under the Table and Dreaming - Sunday Showcase

Homemaker on a Dime-Creative Bloggers Party & Hop

Flamingo Toes - Think Pink Sundays

Sisters of the Wild West - Sister Sunday Link Party

Six Sisters Stuff - Strut Your Stuff Saturday

MONDAY

Skip to my Lou-Made by You Mondays

Keeping it Simple - Motivate Me Monday

The DIY Showoff - DIY Project Parade
Polly Want a Crafter - Party Mondays 

Lines Across My Face - Cure for the Common Monday
The Girl Creative - Just Something I whipped Up

DIY Home Sweet Home Project -  More the Merrier Monday

Molly Susan Strong - Market Monday

Making the World Cuter-Making the World Cuter Monday

Embellishing Life - Craft Catwalk

Homemaker on a Dime -  Creative Bloggers Party and Hop

Creating my way to Success - A Round Tuit

Dittle Dattle - Amaze Me Monday

TUESDAY

Sweet Little Gals - Turquoise Lovin

Charm Bracelet Diva  -Tuesday's Club G.W

Coastal Charm - Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays

Sassy Sites - Trash to Treasure Tuesday

Today's Creative Blog - Get Your Craft On

Screaming Sardine

Chef in Training - Tuesday Talent Show

The Lettered Cottage - How To's Day

Tip Junkie - Tip Me Tuesday

Sugar Bee Crafts - Take a Look Tuesday

Nothing But Country - Creative Creations

Rook No.17 -  A Little Birdie Told Me

Homework - Today's Assignment : Be Inspired

Ladybug Blessings - Handmade Tuesdays