What I Have Learned About the Art of Upholstery

So I've always wanted a pair of wingback chairs (although I could settle for just one, too). I was waiting until I got a house to purchase one, since I didn't feel like lugging it around to apartments that I would be living in for just a year, tops.

Image courtesy of apartmenttherapy.com

When we moved into the house, I could finally start looking. It seemed like it was only a matter of time before I found a beautiful chair that was going to be practically given away. I looked. Nothing. I frequented antique shops, thrift stores, goodwills. Nothing. Well, I guess not nothing. I did find some wingback chairs that were well out of my price range (and I mean, way up there). It made it all the more frustrating when I would check craigslist in Michigan and notice pristine chairs for cheap.

But then, I found one. Actually two with an ottoman! They were only a little bit more money than I was anticipating and they didn't have cushions and I'm pretty sure they were the cheapest quality you could find and they were covered in fabric that would never be nice, even if steamed cleaned... but there were two (!) with an ottoman (!).

So I bought them and brought them home. Eager to start a re-upholstery project that I had been studying up on. It didn't seem so hard, really. Pull out some staples, cut some new fabric and staple it right on. Done!

I decided on a classic linen look. It was something natural, beautiful and timeless. It took forever and I probably pulled out at least 2,000 staples (not including the staples that I had to pull out when my stapler started misfiring) and then my darling kitty peed on my work halfway through.

 But it was a labor of love and I could not wait for another part of my house to be complete.

Well, not everything was smooth sailing and I learned some things about projects such as this:

1) I had never re-upholstered anything, ever and the project I picked first was a toughie. I will, next time, practice with something a little less daunting.

2) I was diligent to piece things exactly how took them off but it was not enough. I saved every scrap of fabric for the pattern, every bit of fluff that fell, all of the string and buttons, and put them exactly back where they were supposed to be (with the exception of the tufting). But my chair still ended up looking anemic. The arms are bony and not very comfortable, the sides don't have the same pomp that they used to. All in all, it's a depressing thing.

3) Linen is so beautiful my cats just wanted to sink their claws into it. I have had these cats for their entire 6 year lives and they have never been so keen on destroying a piece of furniture.

4) I was prepared for it taking a while, but it took a very, very long time for it to be finished.

5) Unless I have a pattern, I am not great a sewing things that need to look perfect (although I did learn how to use my zipper foot for this project!).

I showed this to my sister and she said it wasn't that bad. Please, notice how the back is up against a wall. I had finally finished my month-long project and my kitties immediately started sharpening their claws to the point where it should be re-re-upholstered. When I positioned the chair so they could not get to the back, they started using the front for their claws. Is this picture high-def enough to see the lopsidedness of my cushion? Yes? Wonderful. Also, since I took this picture, it has gotten even more love from the cats.

Despite my torment and despite myself I have, stupidly, started another re-upholstery project.

Pictures to come!

 Lesson Learned: How does that saying go "If at first you don't succeed..."?

Another Lesson Learned: My kitties will never do anything to make me love them less or kick them out of the house. And they are super adorable.