Wednesday, March 13, 2013

My Wedding Chairs

I can't believe it's been a month since my last post. I know I've been busy lately, but really have nothing to show for it. When you live in the north during the middle of the winter, it's hard to get motivated to paint. Especially when I normally paint outside. Enough for my lame excuses. I have something super special to share with you today.
Sometime in January, I was primping my booth and spotted a pair of chairs I thought would be perfect for my upcoming upholstery class. I kept my eye on them & finally they were marked down to a honey of a price so I snatched them up. Here is a picture of the before:


I know, hideous right? But so much potential. I loved the shape. So this is what I started with & after the first class they were stripped of all that crushed velvet & lumpy padding.  I painted the wood in Old White & gave it a couple of coats of clear wax.


Distressed it here & there....

    
Love those details....


I used my favorite fabric, drop cloth, & added some graphics..




With the wedding season upon us, I thought how appropriate would these be. I created the script on my computer in Publisher, then transferred them to the inside back panels. After much measuring and adjusting, this is how they looked after three classes.


I added graphics to the back too!

Now came the challenging part. Up to now it was pretty easy, stapling, pulling, more stapling. But, now it was time to sew. I hate sewing. I am a terrible sewer (is that even a real word?). Give me a paint brush any day. My instructor Terry was so patient with me. I would sew a little bit, then have to rip it back out. The sewing machine I was on was so flipping darn fast, I was afraid I was going to sew right thru my thumb before I could stop & get it out of the way! Well it took me two classes to finish my first cushion box. When I started the second cushion I thought, this one should be much easier. Yeah Right.... the first thing I did was sew the top panel on wrong side up or inside out. Had to rip that one out & start over. That's a mistake I won't be making again. Huge waste of time. Here is my semi finished cushion box/cover. I apparently forgot to get a picture of a completed cover.

Blurrie camera phone picture.
 I decided to use white "Gimp" instead of welting or cording. I like the contrast of the white against the  drop cloth & the old white paint. I hot glued it all around to cover over the staples. Here is the final result of all my weeks of hard work:





I like this font for the style of these chairs.


For the crown images, I went over to my favorite site for graphics, The Graphics Fairy. This is the "MRS." crown.


And this is the "MR." crown.


Can't you just see a Bride sitting in this chair on her wedding day, posing for pictures with her "Mr."


What fun photo props these could be.

Available at Sassy Fabric's in Grand Blanc, MI.
Or maybe on either side of the fireplace in a cozy living room. I was hoping to find a small round table to put in between them. I wanted to paint "&" really big on the top. I guess it wasn't meant to be, that might have been to much anyway.

This has been my most ambitious upholstery project so far. Will I try it again? Probably yes. Practice makes perfect, at least that's what I've been told. I hope if you have been thinking about trying your hand at upholstery you'll be brave & give it a try. If I can do it so can you.  Thanks for stopping by. I would love for you to leave me a comment. Let me know how you like my "Wedding Chairs". Have a Great Day!  Dee

linking up to:










18 comments:

  1. First, glad you are back. Second, what a major project. No wonder you have not blogged. I love the way you dressed those chairs. I think the "&" table is one to keep in mind.

    ReplyDelete
  2. These chairs are amazing. You did a great job and the idea is fabulous.
    Next time I see some ugly velvet chairs I might have to give them a second look. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  3. You did a fabulous job and I think these are so fun and whimsical.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love that style of chair and you did an amazing job on them! I have to say that I think your gimp work is much neater than a rather well known furniture DIYer I've seen. Your concept behind these chairs is so awesome too! If I were you, I'd still keep that "&" table in mind if one comes along! ;)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Your wedding chairs are amazing! I would love to learn to upholster something,What will you do with your chairs?

    ReplyDelete
  6. Those chairs are truly beautiful & the shape is just divine. I so admire your persistence & patience...it obviously paid off tenfold. I am going to have to agree with everyone else here too; the & table would be such a perfect addition to these.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Awesome! These caught my eye immediately over at Three Mango Seeds. You did a beautiful job!!
    -andi

    ReplyDelete
  8. Those are adorable!!! you did a great job!!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Magnificent chairs!!! You did a beautiful job and the graphics are superb. Bravo. Virginia

    ReplyDelete
  10. I'm back to my upholstery tomorrow morning, I love what you did, and I understand about that speedy machine, the only thing I can't believe is the glue gun... our instructor would have had a fit, I do that kind of stuff at home, away from her. Enjoy your next project.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Your chairs turned out beautiful!!
    What a difference from the before:)
    I especailly like the photo from the back of the chairs, they look like they are holding hands!!
    These chairs will make a very happy couple!

    ReplyDelete
  12. You are truly an amazing artist. I would have looked at those chairs with the 70s velvet and not ever envisioned such a lovely ending! Keep on going with your talent...even if that ol' sewing machine tries to bite yer fingers and spit needles at ya! ;)

    ReplyDelete
  13. They look fabulous! What a great idea for a wedding! Thank you for sharing at Rustic Restorations Weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Those are gorgeous, well done! I can only imagine how much work that was, I'm now a 'sewer' either ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hi there ! Thanks for your comment about my chairs on FrenchHappyNest, I can definitely return the favor ! Those are amazing ! Great job !

    ReplyDelete
  16. Wow Dee, you are so patient! And your chairs are inspired!

    ReplyDelete
  17. All wedding chairs pics are so nice and also good post.

    Wedding Chairs

    ReplyDelete
  18. Hi...mr and mrs is so great idea and also all chair is fabulous !Thanks for sharing .

    Wedding Chairs

    ReplyDelete