Monday, June 9, 2014

Our "New" free chair

I am all about buying used or get free stuff...within limits.
I always ask myself: 
can it be washed? 
or 
can it be wiped down with clorox? :)
We have had this chair in our living room for years. 
It was free.
Although you might like the pattern on the chair, 
the main problem with this was that the chair had lots
 and lots of stains.
Mostly size of a dime and smaller. 
That's why it was free.

I made a "sort of" slipcover when I was pregnant with my first child,
over 6 years ago.
But...
I never quite finished it,
and
it was one of my first sewing projects ever...
That said, it did stay on the chair for the last 6 years.
I finally decided to make a new and improved slipcover.
Just like I did for the love seat we bought off Craigslist for our sunroom.

This is what I call a "custom" made slipcover.
I first cut the lower part of the fabric, 
to show the legs.
I basically sew by hand most of the parts, with the fabric being on "reverse" on the chair
(make sure you don't actually stitch it to the original fabric on the chair).
Then I take the hand sew fabric and do the final stitches on the machine.
All is sew inside out.
Turn it over when done, 
and slip it over the chair.
Fits like a glove.
The fabric used is a grey dropcloth.
It was given to me as a "thank you" from a friend of ours.


So for me this was a completely free project.

HERE is how to make a pillow as the one in the above picture.

Stay Frugal, 
Daniela

Linking to
A stroll thru life






27 comments:

Butterfly 8)(8 Bungalow said...

It's really cute! I like the pillow you made!

Heather @ The Beating Hearth said...

I think you did a really great job and love the fun patchwork pillow that goes with. I'm glad you trimmed off the bottom flap, much better!

Teri said...

Very nice. I got several good ideas for when I redo my free chair. :-)

Sew a Fine Seam said...

Love it - especially how you left the legs showing now. so fun to switch things up a bit and slipcovers are so wonderful!
Still love that pillow too - I need to make a few of those with my scraps and see if I can sell them at my next show!

Carla from The River said...

Great job. I have a wicker rocking chair from my grandpa. The back fabric is old and is eroding away. I have to come up with an idea soon.
You are inspiration!

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Great job on the slipcover. It looks wonderful.

Revi said...

I am impressed! I need to do some of this work myself. :)

Our Hopeful Home said...

Love that you used a dropcloth. I've used them for throwing over chairs, but I've never seen gray ones. Wish I could sew....you did a really nice job! xo Kathleen

Kelly said...

You are a "Jill" of all trades! That slipcover looks great. I like that you were able to make it yourself with material you already had on hand. The best part is that it can now be washed! You just gotta be able to do that with little ones.

Rita C at Panoply said...

Great job, Dani. You really stay true to your blog title, don't you? I admire that!

Rita C at Panoply said...

I think I should make my comment ^ clearer - as I interpret it, you are frugal, but nothing ever looks cheap when you work your magic, and I admire that in you! :)

Something Nice and Pretty said...

Really a wonderful job and you can't beat the price of it!

Amy of While Wearing Heels said...

What a beautiful job. I'm impressed you 'mostly hand sewed' this. You nailed the fit. Grace job.

NanaDiana said...

Boy- You did a wonderful job. I would never have thought of hand sewing it on first but that makes SO much sense- you can tweak it as you go for a perfect fit. You are one smart chick!!! xo Diana

Junkchiccottage said...

Dani,
What a great job you did on this slipcover. Awesome and the pillow is so sweet too. Great job.
Kris

Mariette VandenMunckhof-Vedder said...

Dearest Daniela,
You are always so clever and also courageous for doing all this! The new chair looks very comfy and inviting and it is washable now. No worries.
On my latest post I've mentioned you about the use of casters with links to your 2 posts.
Hugs to you and enjoy this time of the year!
Mariette

Danni@SiloHillFarm said...

Oh I loved that love seat slip cover and this one is wonderful too! You are brave to take on slip covers. I'm not sure I have the patience for it, but your results are certainly inspiring!

An Oasis in the Desert said...

You did a great job on the chair! Drop cloth is just about the best thing since sliced bread -- cheap, durable, & washes up beautifully!

SImple and Serene Living said...

What a great job. I love it and nothing beats free. xo Laura

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

You really did a great job and now you can enjoy it for years to come...more years to come! Hugs!

must love junk said...

LOVE it! Great job :)
Susan

Donna@anangloinquébec said...

Love the chair and I did love the original fabric but I know what you mean by those little stains. They don't show up in the image but I have had a similar situation with a chair we picked up on the side of the road. I always get a little grossed out at first but if the chair is, as you say, clorox-able...then why not? Most of our furniture is second hand or hand me ups and I couldn't be happier. Great job as always!!

Jeanette@Creating a Life Studio said...

Your slipcover looks great! I have a chair that needs a slipcover SO badly, but I don't feel very confident trying one. One of these days!

Libby said...

Your slip cover looks great! I have a $5 Habitat Restore chair that I plan to slipcover. I've not actually done this, but in my head I've slipcovered many many times. You continue to inspire me with your projects!

Meredith @ The Laundry Can Wait said...

You did a great job. You are so handy and resourceful, and your home is lovely. XOXO

Katie Mansfield said...

Fantastic. I love drop cloth fabric. It gets softer with use.

Unknown said...

I love the finished slip cover and totally FREE is awesome. Please can you give detailed directions how to make it. Thank you 😍