The Daisy Chair

I am going to tell you right now that this chair makes me feel like a side order of awesome sauce.

A few weeks ago the Fashionista mentioned that her Ikea desk chair was on its last legs. Literally. For those of you following the current project list on my sidebar a desk chair revamp was not on the list. But on Labor Day I swung by the Savers thrift store 50% off sale and spotted this wallflower needlepoint for $2.00. I gave it a second glance since my girl was born in the month of the daisy ~ April. Into the basket it went for…..something. A few minutes later I spied this sweet seat with a price tag of $7.99.

I gave my fantastic, yet grimy, chair a gentle sponge bath and then lightly sanded the entire piece. A few days later I got up at 5 am and was pleased that the thermometer read that it was only 87 degrees. This was my green light to paint ~ Summer Squash by Rust~Oleum. So apropos.

I pried apart the black frame (to be repurposed later) and gave the needlepoint a hand soaking. Years of dust was left behind in my sink. I was happy that the wool fabric came out so soft.

While the needlepoint was drying on the line I took apart the old cushion and used it as a pattern. Since I wanted it to be reversible I selected a lovely worn antique linen hand towel (Thank you Andrea!) for the flip side, as well as the ties. (The strips measured 16” x 1 1/2”.) The 6/32” cotton cording came from Joann’s (coupon!) and the vintage avocado green bias tape was in my stash. My total financial investment was $14.99.

I have never in my life sewed welting ~ also known as piping or cording for upholstery. I was eager to try it because six slipcovers for my dining room chairs, as well as a slipper chair are on my current to do list and I would like both to have piping. So I googled “how to” and censational Kate came to my rescue. Another great tutorial I found was by Susan who never naps. I too had the same problem they did in that my fabric puckered a bit. I tried loosening the thread tension but am still seeking a remedy for future projects. Ladies???? Over all my piping turned out pretty well though.

I turned the seat fabric under 1/2” on all sides. I find that making small clips in the fabric where it is curved helps it to fold over more easily.

I am a big believer in that you can never have too many pins. I placed the seamed cording at the back of the cushion and kept pinning…

…and pinning. The rounded corners were a bit tough, but slowly and surely I got everything in place.

I know that professional seamstresses would have sandwiched all three pieces (bottom, piping, top) together and sewed it just once. But, I am not a professional so I sewed my cushion in two stages. When I went to go check my fit and attach the ties I discovered that one of the ties that I had worked on like the devil to turn inside out with a safely pin had been sewn inside out. Boo! Luckily Nester tells us it doesn’t have to be perfect to be beautiful.