Tuesday, August 27, 2013

The Chair is Finished!!!!! Or, How to Make a Cushion Cover

Hallelujah!!!!
Hallelujah!!!!!
Hallelujah!!!!!
Hallelujah!!!!!!!!!
I have finally finished the chair for Kris's guest room.
So, here's the before and after...
We left off on Sunday looking at the down cushion I had created with my own little hands....(with Gilles help.....)
As you can see, the cushion form is much larger than when it is covered.
This is necessary to create a comfy resting place for the tush!!
Since the stripe was so large, I was really lucky and had just enough fabric.
I probably should have gotten 7 yards instead of the 6, but I made due.
I laid out my template, centering it on the pink stripe.
Pinned it in place and started to carefully cut it out.
I was sweating bullets because I had no extra fabric.
After I cut the first side out, I laid it over some more (the last) fabric, matched up the stripe and pinned it in place and cut out the second piece.
Then I cut the side boxing strip out of one of the pink stripes, making sure the pattern was centered.
Then I made the single and double welting.....
That took a long time.
The double welting I do in two stages.
If anyone wants a tutorial on making double welting, leave a comment.
The single welt was for the cushion seam, and the double welt was to cover the staples around the frame.
Now it was time to install the zipper.
I googled it, because I knew there was a different way to do upholstery zippers than when I was taught dress making in high school.
First I took two pieces of the pink stripe that were a little longer than the 22" zipper that I was going to use.
I folded them in half to find the middle of the stripe.
Then I ironed them along the fold, and cut 3/4" away from the fold.
If you don't have one of these measuring tools, go get one!!!!!
It makes measuring along seams and cutting out welting fabric so easy, because you can see through it and it has all those measuring marks.
So I laid the 3/4" mark along the fold and used my rotary cutter to cut along the edge.
Then I set the two pieces to make sure the repeat was lined up' 
I pinned one side to the center of the zipper and sewed 3/8" in from the edge of the fold.
Then I pinned the other side and sewed it the same way.
Then I laid the boxing side strip over the zipper and marked where I would cut the zipper piece so it was the same width as the rest of the boxing.
Since the linen fabric was unraveling so much, I sewed a zig-zag stitch around each piece.
I don't have a serger.....one of these days.....the zip-zag worked like a charm and kept it from unraveling any more.
Then I pinned the single welt to the bottom piece, right sides together.
And sewed it on. 
Then I did the top side.
Next, I sewed the zipper section to the back of the cushion cover, making sure it was centered.
First I pinned it in place.
Then sewed it on. Then I got the side strip out and sewed that on also.
Look at the tutorial from Something For The Road, it shows how this is done.
I followed her directions, and it came out perfect!!!!!
This shows how the zipper is hidden inside the pocket, just like on a professionally made cushion!!!!!


Then I pinned the other side on.....
And sewed it in place.
Make sure you leave the zipper open a little.....
or you won't be able to turn the cushion cover right side out.
Then I stuffed the down cushion form into the cover.....
and I think it looks pretty damn good!!!!!
So at this point all I had left to do was apply the double welting over the staples around the frame.
I whipped out my trusty old glue gun
 (that has burned me more times than I can remember.....)
and something called a regulator that looks like a large lethal needle. 
The regulator is such a great tool.
I run the dull end along the middle trench of the double welting, it helps push it into place and straightens the lines.
The sharp end is good for tucking stray threads away and applying little drops of hot glue to hard to reach places.
Everyone should have a least two regulators, because you're always going to be looking for the one you just lost.

So.....
Here she is all finished.
It took a couple of hours to apply the welting, and I only burned myself once.
The regulator also helps with making the double welting turn the corners.



This is all the welting I had left, both double and single.
I only have scraps of the pink stripe left over.
I might make pillows for the twin beds out of it.

I AM SO GLAD THIS CHAIR IS DONE!!!!!
I think I showed a lot of guts to bring you on this adventure.
What if it hadn't turned out OK?????

My next projects will be easier.
I am starting on the bedding for Kris's master bedroom and the guest room.
I will be showing the sheets we bought and what I will make for the coverlets and duvet covers as well as pillow shams.
I am da bomb.....

On that note,
Latah, Gatah
Photobucket
Partying at:
125x125

50 comments:

20 North Ora said...

I certainly hope you were getting paid by the hour for this chair! LOL

Judy

Karen said...

That was a lot of work, but it was sure worth it The chair is beautiful and the workmanship is exceptional.

Anonymous said...

Yup. You are da bomb!

Andrea said...

Stunning!

Amy Davis said...

WOW!!! It is BEAUTIFUL.

Anonymous said...

It's FABULOUS! So fabulous indeed that my green eyes are turning greener with a teeny bit of envy, but I will turn that back to admiration, lol. I only WISH I could do what you have done with that beautiful chair!

Katie @ Wildwood Creek said...

Wow--simply gorgeous!!!

Mari said...

Oh wow you did a great job, love the fabric you used ;)

Smiles~
Mari

Lee said...

It is BeeUtiful 🐝 but you are a masochist!
Anytime you want to run away from home, you are welcome here, but you will need to make me something marvelous!

Unknown said...

Such an artist and a craftsperson! Lovely it looks perfect!

Carolee said...

My gosh! It turned out just gorgeous...I would love a tutorial for the double welting.

O'Irish said...

Betsy, YES... I want a tutorial on making double welting!!! Thanks for offering! Love the step by steps on recovering this chair. I've always dreamed of doing one myself, because I was clueless as to how to do it! Very helpful here! v/r Leslee

KathyMcCann said...

This is an amazing tutorial! Please, please, please give us a tutorial on double welting. I cannot imagine more complete information than you have provided. Thank you!

Nutbird said...

Yes, we need tutorials on making double welting! I also need to buy 2 regulators. I always used a bodkin or something like that. This was a wonderful project. We learned a lot. Thanks. Ann

Monica Gale said...

You are amazing and very patient, it tuned out fabulous. Monica xx

Anonymous said...

wow!!!

Drucye said...

Congratulations! Don't let anyone say you back away from a challenge!

Anonymous said...

Completely gorgeous!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful chair! You are so talented.

Scribbler said...

I have been saving all these posts, but I don't think I can do it. I will review them and think about it....

Rhonda said...

You are da bomb!!! I have learned one thing from this project: I will never attempt to reupholster a chair! Thanks for sharing your journey! I admire you perseverance! And I LOVE the chair!!!

Anonymous said...

BRAVO!!! I love the chair, now, are you going to let anyone sit on it??

Vikki said...

Absolutely beautiful. I am so jealous of Kris! That was a lot of work. Vikki in VA.

Anonymous said...

You are some kinda women... OMG.... It's beautiful... Zipper and all...Teresa

Rita's Recipes said...

I stayed with every step, as if I could ever do this! HA!
Amazing job. Are you for hire? I can drive me chair up from Ft. Lauderdale.
Rita

Donnamae said...

It's gorgeous Betsy! Simply stunning! ;)

sweet violets said...

The chair is stunning, good job!!! Would like to see the how to on applying the double welting.....

Janice said...

Absolutely Exquisite!!!

Anonymous said...

You are the bomb, yeah! I wish I didn't have to publish anonymously, but I don't have any of the other stuff.

fixitfaerie said...

This chair is beautiful. All of the detail is just the icing on the cake. And the zipper just blends right in. Love it! Your poor finger, I hate glue burns, especially when the burn is deep. One of these days will you do a basic double welt tutorial? Please. It is one thing that I can't get right, and it is probably not as difficult as I think. Thanks for sharing your upholstery project with us. Paula

Beth C. said...

Whew! Maybe now I can give up that smoking habit I picked up at the beginning of this little project! Kidding aside, she sure is a stunner. And yes, a double welting tutorial please. (I'll keep the cigarettes handy just in case). Best, Beth C.

Lady Courtney said...

WOW! I knew it would turn out great, you were working on it, and I knew you wouldn't give up. It's gorgeous, only wish it was in my guest room. I've saved every post and am going to attempt to reupholster my great grandmother's chair. Looking forward to the tutorial of double welting. Thanks for teaching us! donna :)

Jan said...

The chair is beautiful!!! Thank you for sharing it's makeover...and yes, you are "da bomb"

Curtains in My Tree said...

I would love to have a chair like that

you did a great job but I knew it would be

Anne Boykin said...

Betsy, Stunning! Breath-taking! Gorgeous!

Anonymous said...

Oh my....lovely. I just want to come and curl up in it with a good book.

Anonymous said...

Magnificent!!!!!!

Now go reward yourself.

Marilyn in Mt. Vernon, VA

JolieAnne said...

A beautiful finished chair and only one burn? You did it and did it very well! I love it!

Di said...

I'm over-the-moon for this chair. Everything about it is perfect, thank you for sharing the steps and sticking with it! Now what?

awal.ny said...

The chair turned out wonderful. I love the fabric choice. I would never have thought to make a new cushion, I will have to keep that in mind with my next chair project. I also have not heard of your welting tool. Alaina

Anonymous said...

That's lovely! I'm sure that you were "sweating bullets" - I was having an anxiety attack just reading about it with all the difficult steps! You sure kept us on the edge of our seats... Lucky Kris! Barbara in Mn

Ellicia said...

Can you hear that sound? That is me applauding you for such an incredible job. See Gilles, you can use striped fabric on a curved back chair and make it work beautifully.

bmayer said...

Betsey:
Check out this blog:
http://www.houseofturquoise.com/2013/08/guest-blogger-sam-from-peak-of-tres-chic.html
Chair in corner of first pic, look familiar?

Betsy Speert said...

The chair in that blog post looks similar, BUt IT DOESN'T HAVE A CURVED BACK!
The back is in three sections, much easier to upholster.
But thanks for the sharp eye!!!

O'Irish said...

Beautiful job on the rehupolstery Betsy, and thanks so much for taking us along with you!! Turned out beautifully, your work fantastic... but I have to say... it looks like a dangerous chair. Not sure I'd want it!! Haha!

Jayne said...

The chair looks beautiful. I'm so impressed by your sewing skills, the cushion is perfection!!

Anonymous said...

The chair is beautiful and I have enjoyed this adventure of course I enjoy your blog immensely.

Anonymous said...

Keep a bottle of soy sauce handy and apply it to burns immediately, before it gets a chance to blister. You might want to put the bottle in the same drawer as the hot glue gun, just so you won't forget to USE IT ON minor BURNS to prevent blisters and pain. If it doesn't work, an ER visit might be in order. But it will work, if your hot glue burns are like mine....

Unknown said...

How stunning! Thanks so much for sharing! The hot glue gun or regulator is a fantastic idea! Really, I would never have thought of it. So glad you did.

Miss Foy said...

You are DA BOMB. For three years I've tried to coach my upholsterer Eduardo to make me pouffy, down-filled couch cushions. He'd never heard of such a thing, and we've been through three different (wrong) versions. Now I can take him your posts and video and you'll explain to him what I mean. Thank you for a beautiful and detailed tutorial.

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