Saturday, October 8, 2022

The chair

I've recently come to the realization that I'd like to learn to sew. 

Nothing too fancy, just basic stuff. I'd like to re-cover some furniture cushions, make simple curtains and drapes for the house, and maybe have the ability to hem a pair of pants if necessary. Stuff like that. 

What set off this line of thinking was an old, sad armchair we've owned for close to 20 years now. It needs updating with a slipcover to make it into a piece of furniture we're proud to display in our home, instead of an old, dirty, worn out (but still comfortable) chair.



It lives in the office with our computer table and Marco's cage. Poppy uses it the most (she likes to hang out when we're using the computer). 



I thought of my friend Karen and how she's mentioned that she sews. I called her up one day and asked her if she'd be up for helping me to sew a slipcover for this chair, and she said YES! She's been sewing for decades, and this won't be too hard for her by any means.

Today we went to two fabric stores and looked at everything available. One nicer store had a lot of good stuff on clearance in the back. All the clearance fabric was $5.99 a yard. They looked really attractive when I saw the prices of the non-clearance stuff!

Anyway, I saw two or three fabrics I liked. As soon as I get Gregg's input I'll pick one and we can get started soon. Karen's going to help me sew in zippers so that whatever we pick can be taken off and washed. I'm really excited about this project! And learning a little bit about sewing, too. It's awfully nice of my friend to help me with this. I think she's already having fun planning this project with me.

PS....Karen has a blog! Check it out: The Internet's Best Karen

24 comments:

  1. You seemed pretty good at sowing when you posted pictures of your vegetable patch.

    Good luck with the new project. Maybe you could become a Karen too!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'd probably just by a new sleep cover. I've never liked sewing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. All the ready made slipcovers are so dull, though. And not being custom fitted to my particular chair's measurements, they're likely to not fit as well as I'd like.

      Delete
  3. Slipcovers can really refresh furniture! Have fun! I'm going to check out Karen's blog -- love the title she chose for it, LOL!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LOL indeed! You want to hear something else funny? My friend is a Karen who's married to a Dick. Hahaha!

      Delete
  4. I did not know how to sew for big things - I took on a huge project- I reupholstered a car! Got the map pockets wrong but got the piping right! You will love this project for a comfy chair, Dog approved!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh my goodness! A CAR?! I cannot imagine...good for you!

      Delete
  5. it's weird..I don't sew today and was only reminded that I sewed all the time when I first got married.. I made most of my clothes, Bob's shirts and my oldest sons clothes...today I can hem pants..how did I forget?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hemming pants would be a very useful skill to have.

      Delete
  6. Poppy does seem rather comfortable in the Poppy chair!!! I have recovered and re-finished furniture but only if it's like a side chair or desk chair, and they turned out very nice, but it took time. I had a similar chair like yours and a boudoir chair, but took it to an upholsters shop. I wouldn't even know where to start. But they both turned out very nice, up-to -date and look new.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't know where to start, either, but my friend does! It's so nice of her to help me. Also, we saw some fabric with pink poppies on it! That would be appropriate for Princess Poppyseed's chair!

      Delete
  7. It looks very comfortable, certainly worth a new cover.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is comfortable, and I'm hoping we can breathe new life into it.

      Delete
  8. Are your favourites patterned or uni? I love my yellow armchair but my favourite patterns are all things tartan, and if I had a bigger house I would probably have tartan covers on my settee or at least on an armchair.
    Do you have a sewing machine?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I was thinking that a fun pattern (something I wouldn't normally pick) might be nice. Since it's just an extra chair and not a major piece of furniture, I feel free to do whatever strikes my fancy with it.

      I don't have a sewing machine, but Karen does. We'll do this project at her house.

      Delete
    2. If I can make a suggestion about sewing machines? Go with the simplest most basic machine. Having someone to teach you is wonderful, but wrangling with a complicated machine as a beginner is overwhelming. I can't wait to see how it goes for you!

      Delete
  9. Like you, I've always dreamed of sewing my own slipcovers. Unfortunately, without help from someone with sewing knowledge and a sewing machine, I knew it was impossible. I've resorted to buying my slipcovers online. Slipcovers with good stretch fit most sofas and chairs and with the help of a pool noodle strategically inserted, stay put. I chose cream coloured slipcovers which I like but I have to wash them frequently because of the dog. A colour and pattern that doesn't show dog prints might be wise.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Karen talked about sewing in zippers so the new cover will be removable, and thus, washable. This project would absolutely be beyond me if not for my friend.

      Delete
  10. I have faith in Karen's ability to help me make a quality finished project. Not only has she been sewing for a long time, but she's very mathematically gifted and I know she can work out all the measurements and adjustments to the pattern really well. Of course, I'll post pictures when we're done!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I learned more or less how to sew on my own. I imagine it would be better, quicker - and more fun - having someone teach you.

    ReplyDelete
  12. That is quite a difficult project as a starter but I am sure with Karen's guidance you'll get there. Good luck!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Good luck working on your chair. Hope your job is going well. If not, perhaps a new one next fall. I lived in Florence my first year teaching...I was an older NEW teacher. I lived in nice apartments near a barbeque place. As a vegetarian, never ate there, but it was always crowded. Nice apartments. I liked Florence and was in a Theatre group there...didn't love that though. I drove to Lake City to teach at R McNair Jr. High First year ever. Loved the staff. My good friend and mentor is now Supt of the Schools. A principal at Marlboro Co High contacted me...talked me into coming there. Two years...then a principal at Lake City did the same, so I moved there to teach at the high school. I loved teaching in Lake City...however, my first grand child was due in Indiana, and I needed to be closer. I was offered some jobs in my home state of WV...Kanawha and Putnam Counties...I taught there until retirement...18 l/2 years at my age..then subbed a few years. I still teach in my 70's but online..
    Have you thought about getting your teaching degree? I got Bachelor's in my forties and Master's at age 59 ...I also sat on the Writing Board at Marion...a college If I remember correctly...I certainly enjoy your blog.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Sewing slip covers for your chair sounds complicated and nice you have an expert friend helping you. I hope Poppy approves of your fabric choice, it looks like she has claimed the chair.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Sounds like a worthwhile project! We had slipcovers on all our furniture when I was a kid. Furniture needs protection from kids and dogs!

    ReplyDelete