Are you having difficulty finding the ideal piece of furniture for some place in your home? It can be challenging and time consuming to find just what you’re looking for, especially in case you have a small budget. I locate estate sales to be a great resource for quality furniture at a good price. The problem is, you may find something which’s outdated. Don’t worry. With a bit of effort you can give a piece a brand-new look.
Susan Duane
To locate real estate sales in your area, assess the local papers or search online. A number of businesses have sites and you can preview the products available at every sale. If you do not have any luck there, attempt auction houses, thrift shops or antique shops.
Susan Duane
I found these two seats at an estate sale. The bits were in good shape, and I knew with a little paint and some new fabric they’d function in our living space.
There were initially priced at $140 each. I didn’t wish to buy them at the price, therefore I left my number with somebody in the estate sale business and requested for a call in the event the seats were there at the close of the day. Turns out I managed to pick up the pair for $140.
Susan Duane
Some time back I’d received a coupon for two free samples of Benjamin Moore paint, therefore I used one of the ones to paint the seats. The color is Linen White.
I began by removing the chair cushions. To take the cushion off, just turn over the chair and unscrew the pillow.
Sand the surface of the framework with a fine-grit paper. After sanding, wipe with a damp cloth to remove any dust.
I usually don’t worry too much about that coat of paint being flawless. Simply make your way round the chair until every surface has one jacket. When it is a small piece I’m painting, I place it on a drop cloth then just rotate the cloth to get all sides.
For the cane back I used a very dry brush so that there wouldn’t be big drips of paint leaking throughout all the holes. I just kept loading my brush slightly and painting in both directions before the entire area was well covered.
Susan Duane
Allow the first coat dry thoroughly then apply another coat. Pay additional attention to getting everything fine and even this time.
In many cases I will sand after the second coat has dried very nicely for a troubled look. In case you opt to distress the item, your paint project doesn’t need to be perfect.
Susan Duane
To cover the cushions, I found a neutral shadow for $12 a lawn. Quantify your cushions and be sure to buy enough for the ring and also to produce the cording in case your cushions have it. I buy a little more than I believe I want to be on the secure side.
To create a blueprint for the cover, I put the cushion facedown on kraft paper and tracked it. I added about a half-inch for a seam allowance and cut out the template.
To utilize the pattern, lay it on top of your fabric, then pin it and cut round the borders.
Susan Duane
To figure how much cording you need, measure around your cushions and add a few extra inches. To produce the piping, you need to cut strips of fabric. The width can vary based on how broad your cording is. I used a 2-inch strip.
You’ll probably need to combine a few strips to create them provided that your cording. Pin the right sides of the stripes collectively as revealed and sew down that diagonal line.
When you open this up, it must look similar to this. Cut the excess in the back.
Place your cording inside the strip and fold in half.
You can pin down to begin, but it is really easier to just tuck it as you go along.
You need a cording foot on your sewing machine; it lets you sew right up next to the cording.
It must look like this when you’re done.
Pin the piping to the right side of the cushion top. The border of the piping should be facing all the cording on the inside, as in the photograph.
If you reach the ends and will need to combine the piping, lay one piece inside another and cut on the cording down on one side before the bits meet.
Next you’ll need to make a ring for the thickness of your cushion. Mine was 5 inches. Just measure the thickness of your cushion and add a few inches so you have fabric you can pull and basic in back.
You will probably need to join your group, just like you did above for the piping. Once you have a band long, pin with the right side in addition to the piping and put in place. Try to set the seam at the back of the cushion so that it’s not noticeable. In the ends, tuck 1 side in the other and put in place. It is on the back of the chair, so no one will see it.
If you turn the piece above and open, this is what it will look like with all the piping between the two pieces.
Following is a picture of it stitched together and turned right side out.
Pull the cover over your cushion and turn your cushion to the back. Staple the cover in place, alternating staples from front and back and then side to side. Flip over between staples to be sure the cover is taunt and straight.
Susan Duane
I put my two new seats in front of a window in our living space. They look bright and fresh — and the best part is, they did not break the bank. The total cost for this project was approximately $165.
More:
Flea Market Treasure: The Cane Chair
How to Re-Cover a Seat Cushion
DIY Project: Slick Oilcloth Tabletop