A little CL chair re-do, first of 2013

11 years ago

Hi everyone,

I haven't posted much lately as I had rotator cuff surgery in late October and am still having PT for it. The surgeon said that I can't consider myself healed til mid-April.

But my arm motion is pretty good, so I just couldn't help myself...I started with a small Eastlake chair which was in awful shape, but a friend took it completely apart and re-glued it for me, so I was off...I painted it in Annie Sloan's Old Ochre chalk paint, which to me isn't ochre at all, but a nice creamy color. I waxed it with Butcher's wax and then a bit of light brown Briwax.

Seeing the French Country post today, with toiles and checks mentioned made me think of this one.

The back is done in this check, which matches a light tan in the front fabric, which is Richloom's 'Confection'. The check was a free 22" x 22" sample fabric, and I don't know who made it.

I show that pic above so you can see the check is NOT pinkish, although it looks it in this pic I took last night. They really do blend very well - honest!

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Comments (29)

livvyandbella
11 years ago
I LOVE IT!! Splendid job as always. Glad you are feeling better, but take it easy. I love the fabric!
PRO
Diane Smith at Walter E. Smithe Furniture
11 years ago
Gosh, you're good!
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martinca_gw sunset zone 24
11 years ago
Always love seeing your always wonderful projects. Sorry about that rotator cuff...been there and know how painful the recovery process can be. Glad you are on the mend....AND back at work! I found myself thinking of you recently, wondering about your absence. Welcome back and heal quickly!
User
11 years ago
Have had a couple torn rotators ! Mine were from mountain biking :) Hope your recovery remains steady.

Great little chair...a really precious piece. What happened to the other one...with the "balloon " top thing on it ? That was such an interesting chair . I think there were actually 2 you hadn't shown the final pics...I am greedy to see all that you do ....such talent ! c
ttodd
11 years ago
Seriously can't take how incredibly talented you are!
Fun2BHere
11 years ago
Glad your shoulder is mending well. Thanks for sharing another terrific project.
cat_mom
11 years ago
That is PERFECT! Another wow!
farmchic
11 years ago
So pretty!
yayagal
11 years ago
You sound like you're recovering very well from the surgery, I know it's a tough one but look at the beautiful job you've done while on the mend. You're one heck of a woman, I swear.
tinam61
11 years ago
Love it! I was thinking of you the other day - I had a drapery (panel) sewing question. LOL

tina
Sugar Plum
11 years ago
That is gorgeous! I am in awe of your skill. Could you tell me if you've had formal upholstery training and how you got started? (and if you've posted about that before, I apologize for missing it)

I can sew, make cording and welting, etc., but I've never tackled an actual upholstery project. I have done chair pads and covered some pieces by tucking and staplegunning, but no real upholstery. I posted a pic yesterday of a CL sofa that I picked up on the cheap, but the fabric has a tear so the piece needs slipcovering or re-upholstering. Your work inspires me, but I feel I may need a class or some formal instruction to learn the tricks of the trade.

Again, thank you for sharing your beautiful work with us!
My3dogs ME zone 5A
Original Author
11 years ago
So I have some 'RC' buddies on the board! I hope this is my first and only one. It was a very bad tear and the surgeon is happy with my progress, but I want to be 'normal'! I'm right handed and naturally it was that side.

The balloon chair is in a local shop. I showed pics of it to the owner and she wanted to try it. Here's hoping! The pic of the back in the coordinating striped linen is an 'in progress one.'

I have quite a collection of chairs in my 'shop' under my office and in my cellar. I just saw this (seller's pics) on CL last week, and couldn't resist. It'll be a while before I can work on it as it's a large chair, and I have no idea what fabric I'll do it in. I couldn't resist both the chair and ottoman for $75. The leather will be staying on the back, but I'll re-do the fabric on both. They're by Flexsteel.
My3dogs ME zone 5A
Original Author
11 years ago
Hi, Sugar-Plum,

I am just like you in that I sew; make my own window treatments, pillows, duvet covers, etc...I had always wanted to try upholstery, and finally last May, just decided to go for it on a Craigslist chair. I had no training as there are no classes within hundreds of miles, unfortunately. I just watched YouTube videos, read blogs etc and dove in.

I saw your post last night and thought how lucky you were to find that sofa! I love the simple lines of it. I don't know what your daughter's style is, but if she wants to use it as-is while you work up your courage, I'd probably hand stitch the tear's edges together and drape a throw or quilt over the back. Do you have a photo of the tear? Could the arm covers be used to blend in a patch with you matching the plaid, and hand sewing it in place? Upholstery is a lot of stapling; depending on the style, sometimes more stapling than sewing.

I was going to show you my first chair, but Photobucket won't let me copy the link right now. I don't know if I'd have dared to have a sofa be my first effort, but I had a LOT of fun once I started. Although, I know darn well it contributed to me finally needing surgery for that rotator cuff tear!

Here is a link that might be useful: Sugar-Plum's CL sofa
Oakley
11 years ago
Love it! Good choice of using checks on the back. I've been a check freak for about 30 years now. lol. You sure do have luck in finding perfect chairs for redo's.

Add me to the torn RC group. I live with mine but I make sure I don't move my left arm up and out. Shoulder surgery takes quite a few months to heal. Take it easy!
alex9179
11 years ago
Lovely! I dove into upholstering, too, and find it so much fun! I have a club chair project waiting for me but my giant dog has decided that it's HIS cozy spot this winter.

I'm not a confident sewer, all that measuring, so doing a cushion cover has me intimidated! I'll need inexpensive fabric so I don't go broke when I mess up :)

I love that leather-backed chair. I'm excited to see what you do with it!
User
11 years ago
add me to the RC group too(right-handed right arm of course haven't had an MRI yet though) still looking for the right fabric to do my favorite chair in. Love the balloon chair. I am very fussy and very cheap could take me years LOL Keep up the good work m3dogs
patricianat
11 years ago
I love everything you do. Your house is amazing as are you. I have been through the RC surgery but once you get beyond the first couple weeks, life is so much better.

Keep up the good work but take care of that shoulder. They don't have any on Craig's list. ;-)
My3dogs ME zone 5A
Original Author
11 years ago
So - fellow cheapskates, too! :-)

I buy 99% of my fabric on eBay. I have had great luck finding remnants or end of bolt fabrics that cost a fortune at say...Calico Corners, for very little, so check there for bargains. Also at The Barn, linked below. He usually has a sale on his drapery and upholstery fabrics around holidays.

Best of luck to those of you who have had rotator cuff tears and can do without surgery. I had a cortisone shot in August that was the answer to my prayers, but it didn't last long...Recovery is long, and for the first few months at least, very painful.

Here is a link that might be useful: Barn Fabric Center
pricklypearcactus
11 years ago
You are simply amazing. I love your balloon chair and your new toile chair is gorgeous too. I'm excited to see what you do with this chair with the leather back. I really like the back, so I imagine you can do something amazing with the rest. Thanks for sharing.
Sugar Plum
11 years ago
Thank you, my3dogs!

My daughter is living in a semi-furnished apartment this year (it came with sofa, chair, coffee table, but no accessories or decor). Last summer, I made a lot of pillows, window treatments and several other projects for this apartment. I've included the link below.

Next year, she will be living in an unfurnished apartment, so I'm trying to find bargains to coordinate with what she already has. The plaid CL sofa won't work for her with the check, since I want to use the things she already has. My plan was to slipcover the sofa with painter's drop cloths, however, I may take the plunge into upholstery. She won't need the sofa until August, so I could start with a smaller project to build up my experience and courage!

Being a fellow cheapskate... I am an accountant by day, and one of my clients is a fairly high-end interior design store. One of the perks of doing their books is that I get dibs on discontinued samples. All of the fabric that I used for pillows for my daughter's apt was free - either samples or leftovers from their client projects. They use a lot of their samples themselves (have their workroom create pillows for their store) so I don't get many samples, but they have helped me with fabric / trim for my daughter's projects as well as my own home. They are way out of my price range for their custom things, but they do give me free advice and opinions on my projects!

Here is a link that might be useful: Daughter's Apartment

This post was edited by Sugar-Plum on Tue, Jan 22, 13 at 21:31
My3dogs ME zone 5A
Original Author
11 years ago
Sugar-Plum! I remember seeing that mirror and all the others things in the post and thinking how talented you were! You did an incredible job, and using samplse is what I do often to make pillows. My sister works in a high end furniture store (no family discount) and when the reps come in and discontinue fabrics, I get some really nice ones. And the day she came over with a pile of leather samples - Yay!

Your workmanship is beautiful, the patterns centered, and what you did for your daughter is amazing. I also have a full time desk job, but HAVE to sew, etc. for that creative outlet. I think we have a lot in common, and seeing your sewing and other things you've done, I know you can conquer upholstery. I have been slowly buying tools for it, as I hope it'll be something I can enjoy for years to come. The right tools make a heck of a difference.
rafor
11 years ago
Gorgeous!!! I'm always so impressed by your color and fabrics. Great artistry here :)
jennifer_in_kansas
11 years ago
Oh, I get so excited when I see one of your posts. You do such a wonderful job. It's a real treat to see such creative work. Thanks!

Jennifer
Sugar Plum
11 years ago
Thank you for the encouragement, my3dogs! I do think we have a lot in common - I too HAVE to sew, decorate, etc. to balance the occasional (ha!) tedium of my day job.

I am amazed that you were able to do the back of your chair, with bias welting, from a 22" square. You have wonderful attention to detail and your care and artistry really shows in your projects.

I'm starting to research upholstery videos on youtube :)
cooperbailey
11 years ago
I am sure that the balloon chair will sell very quickly. The new chair is also lovely! Good job as always!
alex9179
11 years ago
For tools, I highly recommend an air compressor and upholstery stapler. For my first project I went old school and hammered tacks-I inherited the tools from my Grandpa who upholstered as a hobby. Loved the process but it did take a while. I reupholstered my sister's Eastlake rocker using the air tool and was finished so quickly! Also didn't have to pry mis-nailed tacks out :) The air compressor can be used for all kinds of jobs, so I'm glad ordered it for myself a couple of Christmases ago.
melsouth
11 years ago
Your skill is amazing-
I really appreciate seeing all your creations!

I hope your shoulder continues to improve :)
Laurie
11 years ago
Beautiful! I love seeing your work.
hosenemesis
11 years ago
That Eastlake chair is just beautiful. What a wonderful job you did on it.

A little CL chair re-do, first of 2013

Comments (29)

livvyandbella

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