I May Have Outdone Myself...
Well, Mother and I did have a sewing session on Saturday. I recovered this darling Poang children's chair from Ikea and Mother worked on huge floor pillows. And we praised each other's work constantly, which helps a lot. However, she cut the first pillow cover thinking the pillow was 24" square. She had sewn on the cording when I realized what she had done and told her, no, the pillow is 28" square. She said a dirty word. Then she told me to buy a 24" pillow. This is her sewing her second pillow-- 28" square. I think she cranked out almost three large pillows that day. I'll shoot pics this week.
Well, enough about her, let's get back to this darling chair. I am quite proud of it and I think it shows off the Sprig fabric very well. I plan to do an adult version of the chair and footstool. I did take pictures at some points along the way, so I can construct a general how-to on this. I'm awfully proud of the back. The seat is actually a Tyvek-like material that literally slips over a frame. So I just made a canvas "bag" the same size as the Tyvek one to cover all that stuff up. The cushy part of the seat just slips over the frame on the top and the bottom. I reused the fiberfill cushion of the cushion, and just restitched the "channels" on the front. Then I essentially sewed it up like it was a pillow, with an opening on the side to turn it right side out. Voila! It really wasn't terribly hard and I think the same technique could be used on lots of chairs- just use the original materials as your pattern.
(Update 2/6/08: I did write up a general overview of what I did here.)
I am totally digging on your mom's sweater.
And the chair looks amazing too :P
I got the interfacing today, to try and make a small basket. Hopefully I can work on that this weekend!
Posted by:Angela James | February 04, 2008 at 08:41 PM
I also totally dig your Mom's sweater. And I think she's adorable. And I especially loved your "She said a dirty word."
I literally laughed out loud when I read that. :O)
Posted by:Lisa | February 05, 2008 at 02:05 AM
Caroline, It was a 22" pillow. Why did you have to mention my mistake???
I loved sewing on your fabric. Love, Mother
Posted by:Janet Newman | February 05, 2008 at 07:24 AM
NO WAY! I ordered some of this fabric, specifically to cover my daughter's little Poang chair too!!!! Seriously! That's crazy. Mine is going to look all crazy-wonky compared to yours, considering I was planning to just make a sort of a slipcover and not do it for real like you did. But after seeing yours maybe I should put a wee bit more effort in... Did you just take apart the original cover and use it to make a pattern?
Let me know if you ever think about renting your mom out for crafting weekends. I'll take her!
Posted by:heide | February 05, 2008 at 08:41 AM
Heide,
Great minds think alike! Yes, I just took apart the original cover and used it as a pattern. I just sewed over the top of the fabric/fiberfill piece (the top piece). I even reused the velcro pieces. You can do it!
And no, you cannot rent my mother. I have her booked in all her free time.
Posted by:j. caroline | February 05, 2008 at 10:38 AM
I have seen the chair up close and it is indeed a work of art. Nice job on the pillows, too, Mrs. Newman.
Posted by:Rhonda | February 05, 2008 at 11:32 AM
Great job! and I can't imagine that sweet looking woman saying a "dirty word"!! That made me laugh too! B
Posted by:Brie | February 05, 2008 at 11:42 AM
I love that chair. It is perfect!
Posted by:Mellissa - wondermommy | February 05, 2008 at 03:53 PM
The chair came out very nice.
Posted by:Tina | February 07, 2008 at 02:38 PM
The chair looks terrific!
Your mom is so lucky to be close enough to get in on your projects! How fun!
Posted by:Jess's mom | February 08, 2008 at 11:54 PM