Monday, September 3, 2012

Labor Day 2012 ~ I'm finally slipping

Happy Labor Day my American {And Canadian. I had to be reminded of this} friends.  Hope you are enjoying these last days {hopefully} of Summer!

I finished a MAJOR {to me} project that has been on my to do list for about 2 years now.

I promised that one day {guess today is that day} to tell you about these awful chairs:



I found these beauties on Craigslist back in Feb 2010 for $25 each.  Back then, I only had a little Saturn sedan... no way to bring these babies home.  That was always a problem.   My BFF Inndia, who lived next door, had one of those neat mini vans where the seats can be taken out.  She offered to drive with me to pick them up.  It was Feb... it get's dark early.  We needed to pick these babies up from Park City.  The beautiful little ski resort town where the Sundance Film Festival is held.  It's about an hour away.  Just her and myself in Park City.  We got SO lost!!  LOL  We were driving around in the dark and snow trying to find the seller of these chairs.  We had a blast and laughed so much.  Inndia and her 2 baby sons were killed in a rollover accident last November in that mini van.  I miss her desperately.  You can see a small tribute to them on the left sidebar of the blog.

So, there is the back story of the ugly, orange chairs.  But, they are a GREAT shape, made by Flex Steel and SO comfy!  These things will last forever.  But, dang.  Such an eyesore.  I went the generic slipcover route.  You know, the stretchy ones that will fit almost any chair?  Had those on for about a year.  Ugly and the fabric was like velcro with cat fur.  Once it's on, it's not coming off.  Ick.

I have a neighbor Shelly.  I've shown you my amazing barrel chairs that she did.  I've shown you her blog too.  She does AMAZINGLY beautiful work.  Her rates were a little out of my budget {worth every last penny I've learned} and I did have basic sewing skills. I figured these chairs were as boxy as they come.  How hard could it REALLY be??

HARD.

Oh my Lord.  Pinning and fitting and sewing and pinning and fitting and cutting and sewing and fitting and pinning and sewing and fitting.  

For 2 days straight.  

I used the 8oz drop cloth from Lowes, washed and dried.   One of the drop cloths had sweet black stripes through the center.  I used that part for the seat, under the cushion, they will never be seen.  

Another of my amazing neighbors, Mandy, borrowed me her sewing machine weeks ago.  Ok, probably months ago, so that I could do this project.  BIG shout out to Mandy!  YO!!  LOVE YA MANDY!! 

I didn't take the time to do any tutorial pictures.  I just searched the interweb for how to video's.  

Each chair took an entire day people.  AN ENTIRE DAY EACH!  Enough whining... cause I'm SO PROUD AND HAPPY THESE ARE FINALLY DONE!!





For the first time, ever... I'm loving, loving, LOVING this space!!

As I was doing all this fun sewing {and fitting and pinning} I was thinking to myself that this weekend last year, I painted my kitchen cabinets. I've tackled some major projects on Labor Day weekends!  Strange.

Anyway... back to my chairs:








These are nowhere near Shelley's perfect slipcovers.  But, they are done... and I did it myself.  I'm proud.


Of course, the kids love them.  They are like NEW chairs and NEW chairs are the BEST!!



Yes, most of my Fall decor is out... I will post more about that in a few days.



I'm also working on a post about the tables.  They are also new... and divine.

All this time with myself also had me remembering how our house looks, just a year ago.  It has changed so much.  And I'm so proud to say that we did it all, ourselves.



Light and clean.  No more orange striped chairs.



All the gorgeous pillows are by Shelley. 

So, my fingers are raw {from pins poking them}, my neck is killing me and my chairs are orange no longer.  Happy, happy, HAPPY!!

I want to make a slipcover for the little pleather footstool, but I'm all sewn out right now.  Wonder when Mandy will need her sewing machine back.  :-/

I'm a happy, sore girl.

Enjoy your Labor Day and I will be back soon with more fun stuff.  I need a break!

XOXO

16 comments:

  1. September 3, 2012 at 4:51 PM

    Wow! They turned out amazing...I was waiting for you to be the guinea pig...now I am ready to make mine! Don't you just love dropcloths? I just made 28 pocketed chair covers for Kate's class with only 4 of them!

    Reply
  2. September 3, 2012 at 5:24 PM

    It turned out gorgeous Meg - every last detail!
    And by the way it's Labour day ( with an U ) in Canada too, lol
    XOX

    Reply
  3. September 3, 2012 at 5:32 PM

    Meg, I am so sorry to read about your friend. I have often wondered what happened to them. It sounds like you had great times together. Your chairs are fabulous. I have not slipcovered anything yet but I have a pair of chairs that need them so you project is inspiring.
    Traci

    Reply
  4. September 3, 2012 at 5:34 PM

    Fantastic!! and they look fab with that Wythe Blue door AND I love, love,love your new header!!

    Yahoo, bet you're glad THAT project is over :)

    xox

    Reply
  5. September 3, 2012 at 5:40 PM

    Happy Labor day to you too Meg.
    You did an Awesome job on the Chairs I know when I got my sewing machine (hardly ever use it) I made curtains for Kitchen a topper for my bathroom shower curtain and a bed throw so proud of myself.
    I dug it out of the basement 3 weeks ago for a project i wanted to do( gifts) not have the inspiration yet, but I will.
    Have a good one.
    PS I see a new Career in the making :-)

    Reply
  6. September 3, 2012 at 5:58 PM

    good job~! I know thats not an easy task and wouldnt even consider trying to do it .. enjoy your NEW chairs.

    Reply
  7. September 3, 2012 at 6:17 PM

    They look great!

    Reply
  8. September 3, 2012 at 7:30 PM

    Those chairs are beautiful now! So crisp and clean! So very sad about your friend and her children. I'm so sorry.

    Reply
  9. September 4, 2012 at 5:00 AM

    I'm in awe - the chairs are gorgeous, the living room looks so different. You did a fantastic job!!! Well worth the effort - you could never have bought those chairs like that. Wonderful, wonderful, amazing, talented, determined woman you are!!!!

    Reply
  10. September 4, 2012 at 7:17 AM

    Woooot! Way to go! You did it, and in ONLY 2 days! You rock meg! What's next? ;)

    Reply
  11. September 4, 2012 at 9:28 AM

    The chairs look great you did a fabulous job!! You should be so proud!

    I have a lot of my fall stuff out too. I just haven't shown any yet. I waited at least until Labor Day.

    Reply
  12. September 4, 2012 at 7:42 PM

    So very sorry about your losses. I, too, lost a very dear friend, actually more of a sister, this week. She died of lung cancer. I guess all we can do is hold on to those precious memories, especially the times we laughed.
    I think you did a great job with with your chairs!

    Reply
  13. September 4, 2012 at 11:41 PM

    They look fantastic! Love them!

    Reply
  14. September 6, 2012 at 10:24 AM

    I love these. I have a link party on Wednesdays, and I would love it if you would link this and any other posts. It is called Wednesdays Adorned From Above Link Party. It runs from Wednesday to Sundays.
    http://www.adornedfromabove.com/2012/09/simple-anti-aging-moisturizer-and.html
    I hope to see you there.
    Have a great Day.
    Debi Bolocofsky
    Adorned From Above
    www.adornedfromabove.com

    Reply
  15. September 7, 2012 at 10:43 AM

    Your chair covers are so amazing! I have to confess I have had a pattern and fabric to do slip covers for my small sofa for FIVE (5) YEARS !!! I have been soooooo afraid to cut the fabric and give it a real try !! You have inspired me !!! Thank you so much for your straight forward heave-ho and get it done attitude! I needed to hear the TRUTH from a REAL PERSON !!

    Reply
  16. September 26, 2012 at 8:26 PM

    omg omg omg, how did i miss this?! these are -fabulous- just fabulous! the room looks amazing. come do mine. please?

    Reply

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