Sofa Chair Redo with Drop Cloth How To

I have wanted to reupholster my sofa chairs for a very long time.  I decided that I couldn't put it off any longer.  Especially because a hole wore through the cushion fabric.  I also was very tired of making sure the arm chair covers (that I had made) were on the chair.  Why worry about keeping them covered? 

 

Yah, that's why.

 
                        BEFORE                                                             AFTER

I really like how it turned out.  Definitely more my style.  The "before" chair is actually a photo of the second chair that I need to refinish (I will start on that today).  The one I have finished was the worst of the two.  

How I did it:

~ I used natural colored drop cloth.

~ I took apart the chair, mostly stapled.  I used a flathead screwdriver and pliers to remove the staples.

~ I used the pieces as a pattern for the new fabric.  I marked on the old fabric pieces where they went and the direction so that I wouldn't be at a loss when I went to put the new stuff on.

~ I reused the zipper (on the cushion), cording, under cover for the bottom panels and the cover under the bottom of the chair.  I am all about reusing all  I can.

~ The only parts I had to sew were the cording, cushions and front section of the chair.  The rest was stapled.

~ I didn't do a step by step tutorial because this is a descent one here.

I will post more photos when both sisters are complete. :)

Canvas Drop Cloth Tree Skirt Tutorial

I. Am. LOVING my new tree skirt that I made from canvas drop cloth.

I FINALLY took the time to make it yesterday.  I know, Christmas is only next week.  My tree has been up since right after Thanksgiving . . . skirtless.  Yes, shameful.  But better late than never.  :)

So I thought I would share what I did in case you wanted to make one for next year.

I used a large canvas drop cloth.  I am in the process of refinishing a couple of sofa chairs with it and so had some of the drop cloth on hand.   The best price I have found is at Lowe's.  If you don't have a Lowe's, just check around at your different home improvement stores.  This tree skirt was done simply without a lining.  I felt the canvas would be thick enough and not need a lining.

The measurement breakdown:

22" for the main circle of the skirt - I did not do anything to the skirt hole except a zig-zag edge since no one sees that part anyway.

3.5" for the ruffle edge - I wanted a 3 inch ruffle and 1/2 inch allowance for sewing to the skirt.

I also used the finished edges of the drop cloth for my ruffle so that I wouldn't have to sew a new hem.
If you need to sew a new hem allow 1 inch more (= 4.5").

First I measured the radius for my skirt from the top of the tree stand to a little past the bottom branches of the tree, letting the measuring tape fall like I want the skirt to.  This is the finished measurement I want for my skirt radius.

Next, I folded the cloth into quarters.  Then using a tape measure and pencil to form a compass, I drew wear to cut our my circle for the skirt.  Cut.  I made this distance 22 inches.

With the same compass method a cut a hole in the middle of the circle (skirt left folded into quarters).  I made a 2" cut (even though in the photo it shows a 1" mark).

Then I cut a slit to the circle along one of the folding lines.

Zig-zag finish the slit edge and around the circle.  Then fold the slit under 1/4 inch and sew.

Next the ruffle.  I ended up making about a  130" long strip to make the ruffle by sewing 3 smaller strips together.

Make 1/2 wide Z-fold.  The distance of the fold can vary depending on the look you want.  Although if it is different than what I did, you will have to adjust your original strip length.  The distance I did from fold edge to fold edge was about 1 3/4 inch.  I ironed the pleats as I folded them.

 

Pin the right sides of the ruffle to the skirt.  Sew.  Zig-zag finish the edge.

You want to always finish the edge of the canvas some how so it won't fray.

Top stitch with the edge underneath laying toward the skirt.

To close the slit in the skirt I used ribbon to tie bows.

I folded my 7" long pieces under and stitched to the edge.  I had 8 ribbon pieces total for 4 closures.

  

Did I say how I loved how it turned out.  {Sigh}

 MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Bread In A Jar: Handmade Gift Tutorial

via An Oregon Cottage

Jami at An Oregon Cottage shares how to make a wonderful handmade gift: Rosemary Focaccia Bread in a Jar.  I am a bread lover and so this gift really fits my palette. 

What a great treat for a friend or neighbor to receive for a Christmas gift.  So simple for anyone to bake when needing some extra warmth on a cold winter day. 

Tutorial by The French Cottage: Christmas Bird Decoration

Kathleen at The French Cottage

teaches how to easily create a beautiful Christmas Bird decoration.

You can find her instructions here.

PEACE

DIY Christmas Stocking by Katies Rose Cottage

photo via katiesrosecottage

 

Lori at Katies Rose Cottage shares how to make this beautiful Christmas stocking.  Simple and Stunning!

Click here to find out how you can make it too.

Tutorial: How To do a Ink onto Wood Transfer

Inkjet to Wood Transfer

What you will need:

Mod Podge 

Elmer's Washable Glue

Brush

White Cardstock

Inkjet Printer

Wood/Project of Choice

Step 1: Brush the glue onto the cardstock in a nice smooth layer.  Let dry.

Step 2: With an inkjet printer, print an image onto the glue side of the cardstock.

If it is wording, make sure it is printed in reverse. Tear off as much excess paper around the image as possible.  This helps with less "clean up" work on the wood.

 

Step 3: Brush a smooth, thin layer of Mod Podge onto the clean wood.

Step 4: Stick your image face down onto the wet Mod Podge. Press and smooth to make sure the image has good contact with the wood. Let it dry overnight.   Do not lift the paper.

Step 5: Soak it. You can dunk it in water, run it under a faucet or squirt it with a spray bottle. Let the cardstock get really wet and soft where you can see the image peeking through.  Gently peel off the cardstock. I held this under running water and gently rubbed the paper from the image with my finger.

I rubbed off a little of the image here and there to allow an aged look.

 La Musique Side Table is available for purchase.
You can find the details here.


I learned this technique from Katie at Matsutake.

How To Clean Wax from Brushes

I am really enjoying using wax as a furniture finish.  At first it didn't seem to become a good protective coating because it was soft.  But as it cures, it hardens.  Even buffed to shine it has a nice soft look.

I will show you the cleaning process, this is after using a dark wax so that you can see the wax.  Remember to always use a light wax first or the dark wax will stain your piece.

I have been using Fiddes and Sons purchased from John Millen Hardware.  It is a lot cheaper than Annie Sloan's wax and I believe performs just as well.

 Pour cooking oil (vegetable or canola) on waxed brush.

 Rub in.

Then add soap.  I use Dawn and it works great.  I love Dawn soap.  It is fabulous in the laundry room too to get out all kinds of stains, including already dried on chocolate.

 Clean under hot water.

 Wahlah! Clean.

Furniture Finishing Wax : Buffing

Thanks for joining me.  I hope you enjoy the video.  It was done on the fly with my 8 year old daughter as my camera crew, so I hope you don't get too motion sick.

I don't know if I explained well, but if you have any questions you can put it in the comments.  This was my first video and so as we do more my crew and I will get better. :)

Miss Mustard Seed has a video on waxes which is very educational.  You can find that here.

Also, Brad at Shades of Amber was very helpful.  They sell Annie Sloan's chalk paint and waxes.


I got my Fiddes and Sons wax online.  I also had to order my chalk paint online because there isn't a stockist in my area, or state.  Bummer.