OK, being totally honest here.
I have been trying to take this....
And turn it into something elegant like this...
The problem is, I have never, ever reupholstered anything. Or, sure I have ripped fabric off the seats of kitchen chairs and stapled new fabric back on. That is easy.
With this piece, once the fabric was removed (and there were a billion, trillion staples), it felt like there might be a broken spring. So I turned it upside down and removed the dust cover from the bottom to find out (hoping I would recognize a broken spring if I saw one :-) ).
Thank goodness, the springs are fine. But, do you see the hard, wood brace in the center of the seat? The foam that was under that (to create a cushion) had disintegrated. So, I had to remove that mess. I bought a new piece of foam to replace it today.
I have decided to put this project aside until after Christmas. Don't you think that is a good idea?
Welcome Home,
Penny
40 comments:
I do... it would only be added pressure with cooking,cleaning,and other decorations although I wouldn't be surprised (cause us bloggers are stubborn that way) if you clicked publish and started that project anyhoo.lol Have a great rest of the week.
You are one brave soul Penny! Can't wait to see it after the holidays!
Probably a good idea...it will be beautiful though!!
What a divine piece. I would suggest taking it to some one. It would be simple for them and should not cost a lot. I find it very hard to make things look good with out the right tools. But hay, good luck. Richard from My Old Historic house.
It can wait! I did something similar to a piece and had close to 200 tacks to remove. That alone took a long time. It will be very beautiful when you finish it.
I know you're going to turn it into something BEAUTIFUL!
I'm certain you'll make a fantasic job of the upholstery Penny, but I agree - leave it until after the madness has passed!
I would have to put it off forever and give it to a professional.
I know you will turn it into something beautiful Penny! But I don't blame you for waiting until after Christmas to tackle it! Martina
That is not a job for me! Yes hold off as long as you can LOL!
I can totally relate as my stripped Louis chair is sitting there looking at me...like hey? lady? when you gonna get me dressed? I have barely a clue what to do, I think I will wait til 2012!
This is going to be a challenge but I know you will go for it! Have you got a fabric in mind? It really is a pretty piece and the frame reminds me of mine that I want recovered. Best of luck!
XO,
Jane
You're a braver reupholsterer than I am Penny! I say enjoy the holiday and put it aside for now, plenty of down time in January:>)
A billion trillion staples, huh?
That is a lot of staples alright.
I think it's best put aside for another day - too many other fun places to aim your focus right now.
Oh, and, that's a lot of staples!
what a beautiful settee! i cant wait to see what you do with it :)
Yes, I think you're being very smart. It's going to take more time than you thought and time is a precious commodity just now. It'll be a great project for those winter days.
I can totally envision it! I personally would have to have that project completed by someone with skills though. :)
I really admire you for not being afraid to tackle new things! I'm always such a chicken. I bet it's going to be beautiful when you are done.
I can see that this project is turning into a major undertaking. I'm sure you don't have the patience for it during the busy holidays either. Looks like you're learning alot about upholstery with this bench though. It may turn out to be a blessing in disguise. Once you tackle this, you may feel empowered to do more in the future!
That looks like a big job, but I can't wait to see what you do to it. It will be beautiful I know.
It will be fabulous when you do get to finish it...I took an upholstery class and plan to take another one starting in January...it might be a good idea to look in your area and see if there is a class you could take...though I have TOTAL faith that you will accomplish this task without having to take a class...cos' you rock like that :)
Lou Cinda
A very good idea!
I think an even better one might be to turn it over to an upholster and go out for a nice long lunch!
It's a great piece, but I think it would do me in, that's for sure.
Penny, I took some upholstery classes at the Adult/continuing education classes at my local public school. It was wonderful We got to use the schools generator powered staple guns, industrial sewing machines, etc. We took our projects to the class and had the teachers help as we went along. I ended up reupholstering 2 club chairs,and a 7 foot sofa. On my own I have done chairs with webbing and springs. You can do this. Just put it back in the reverse order you took it off. And maybe look into those continuing ed classes, even if only to do this one project. Good luck.
I am thinking that you have a fine sense of adventure.
Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams
Well, I know it will turn out wonderful! but your are right, put it aside for the new year!! You are very brave to tackle that job in the first place!! For now, just pour a cuppa somethin and enjoy the festive Christmas season....
Penny,
That sounds like a great idea...you don't need any stress during the holidays. It's a great piece...love the style of it.
Blesings,
Linda
You have set quite a challenge for yourself. I'd definately wait until after Christmas. Make it the big 2012 project.
Darla
I agree with Bonnie, Penny. I know you talked about taking an upholstery class and January would be a good time to do it. Just enjoy this month and maybe we can get together!
Hugs,
Penny
Penny, I would definitely put that project away until after Christmas. That piece is so beautiful and when you get it all done it will be fabulous! Enjoy your holiday and worry about it later!
I'm sure you can figure it out, Penny. There are some great books available -- try your local library for suggestions. And some smaller manuals are available at fabric stores.
However, you also have to figure in your time. I've taken upholstery classes, and after redoing two wing chairs, I decided to find a professional to do the chaise in our living room. The chairs looked fine, and I I could probably have done it myself -- I do have some tools: a power stapler, a tack hammer, and good scissors -- but it would have taken me a long time, and frankly upholstery is just not my thing.
This looks as if you'd have to stretch and staple and then glue gimp or braid to cover the tacks/staples. And if the loveseat has been done several times before, the wood frame may need some help too.
So if you can afford to send it out, and you have a good upholsterer in your neck of the woods, get some estimates and then decide.
But you're so clever, I'm sure whatever you decide, the end result will look great!
Hugs, Carol
It's a beautiful piece of furniture, Penny, and I know it will be beautiful when you re-do it. I think you could wait until after the holiday rush as then you could spend as much time as you needed on it. December is always such a hectic, but fun, month!
This is gonna be a great Frenchy piece. It looks like it has good bones.
That's me, too, Penny! Give me a stapler, some fabric and a chair bottom and I'm okay. Upholstery is not my thing either. I would put it on the side until after the holidays, too. Then you can give it a little more time and thought. Maybe you could barter your painting skills with someone who has upholstery skills? Or, if there is someone who does a class on upholstery in your area you could either offer it as the project {and maybe get a discount} or take the class.
Definitely set that aside for the new year. I'm sure it will be fabulous when you have it all done.
Probably is a good idea considering how busy this time of year is. I can't wait to see the finished project.
Keep us posted on your progress...I have been tempted to tackle something like this myself...It will be beautiful when you are done...great piece!
I have a large French style sofa that I bought for $20.00. I've got the fabric ripped off and like yours, the foam is a mess and there are a billion, trillion staples too!
I'm not sure if I can do it or not. I really need a different staple gun than I have. I'll be watching to see how your project goes. I know it will be beautiful!
Putting it away until after Christmas is a good idea! Then you'll have a project for the new year! :)
~Adrienne~
If you can't get it done, Penny, I will happily drive south and pick it up from you!! I lOVE that setee!! I have reupholstered many items, chairs and sofas, and it is a TON of work to do it well (so it doesn't look home-done). The key is patience, and lots of pulling more taught than you think you should. Good luck -- I'm dying to see it done.
Post a Comment