My Burlap Beauty
(I posted this as a guest blogger over at Shanty 2 Chic a couple of weeks ago, but I wanted to share it with you again in case you missed it!)
Check this out!
I got this chair at Goodwill for $6.50. I know “she” looks a little rough, but all she needed was a second chance.
So here’s what I did:
First of all, I decided to paint the chair black. I used Valspar spray paint in satin from Lowe’s.
Then I used a fine grit sandpaper to sand down the edges a bit.
As you can tell by the picture below, I left the chair in my garage too long without supervision.
One of my boys thought it would be fun to tear the material off the chair, thus the result…
Oh my, she’s looking really bad now!
But I didn’t let that stop me. I still had my vision…
She just needed a little more cushion, so I used my staple gun to apply some extra batting to the seat and back of the chair.
Now she was ready to cover with my material.
Of course, I chose burlap. My current obsession!
I started with the seat, using my staple gun to secure the burlap.
I cut the fabric around the arms of the chair, folded it under, and then stapled it down. (This part was not easy, and it did not turn out perfectly, but it still looks good to me!)
When I saw the extra burlap hanging below the staples, it looked like a cute little ruffled skirt. That’s when I decided that I wanted to add a skirt to the chair. (The above pictures were taken at night in my garage, so the burlap looks darker.)
Next, I covered the back of the chair using the same process as I did on the seat.
Then I stapled and trimmed the burlap on the back of the chair.
Next, I stapled on a piece of burlap to cover the back of the chair.
Now for the skirt…
I placed the cording in the middle of the burlap, folded the material over, and sewed it up using my zipper foot. Then I trimmed the excess material.
Notice I didn’t even use pins when I sewed. I’m dangerous like that!
I made a long piece of burlap that measured 5 inches wide and sewed a small hem. Then I pinned some ruffles in the material. I didn’t even measure them the same length apart. I just eyeballed it. That’s how I roll.
I attached the cording to the skirt, and sewed them together.
I made some double cording and hot glued it over the staples on the back. I got that idea from an upholstery book. (I will be explaining how to make the double cording in a future post on my blog.)
Then I attached the skirt with my staple gun.
I bought this chair for $6.50.
I bought about 4 yards of burlap from Hobby Lobby when it was on sale for $1.99 a yard. That’s $8.00, and I have some left over.
I already had the black spray paint, cording, and staples. So this whole transformation cost me about $15.00!
I’m lovi
ng that!
Every lady needs some cute accessories, so I made her a little pillow.
This picture was taken in our master bedroom, but I made the chair to go in our guest house.
Here it is in our guest house…
Well, there you have it!
My sad-looking seat is now a Burlap Beauty!
I am linking this post to…
Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch,
Make it for Monday at Cottage Instincts, and
DIY day at A Soft Place to Land.
Have a blessed day!
amazing! I saw it then and loved it and I still love it now. Those kind of chairs intimidate me when it comes to re-doing it! Good for you!
Wow – fantastic transformation!!
:)
ButterYum
How awesome are you???
I love the chair!
Oh and can I ask how did you make the lovely pillow?
I am NOT a sewer but it looks like I may be able to make those??
Ummmm…. that is stinkin cute!!!! I love it and I look forward to your post on double cording. :o) Great tutorial! Thanks for sharing.
WOW!!! You make me want to go out and find a nasty looking old chair and some burlap!! Awesome!! I love your blog! you do great work! I am sure you did, and still do make your momma proud!
So cute! You did a really good job, and you make it look so simple. :-)
I love it. It would look awesome monogrammed as well.
Cheri
wow, it is fab!!!!
Very cool.
Fantastic job Tracy!! I am loving the burlap, I almost bought some the other day, but it wasn't on sale, so I need to wait for that! You chair looks awesome in your guest house, I can't believe you have a guest house! I am so envious! Take care and I will be hanging that cute gingerbread family on my tree soon! Cindy
Woot! That is just fantastical…I think I need one. Or three. Love that pillow too.
Thanks for playing at Mi4M :)
Traci,
Looks beautiful! You always do such a wonderful job!… Dee Dee
Great job Miss Traci! I especially love the ruffle.
Kim
I LOVE this chair!!! Isn't burlap one of the greatest things!!! I have aspirations to learn how to sew and your tutorial makes it sound so easy. I will have to be on the lookout for chairs so that I can start making slipcovers :) Your "Blessings" pillow looks perfect on the chair too. Did you embroider that?
That is amazing and you make it look so easy! Great job!
You inspire me, my friend…..you are willing to tackle many things that "skeer" me. I have a similar chair that needs like treatment….so maybe I'll tackle it!
Thanks!
Suzanne
WOW!! You did a fantastic job with this chair! You certainly had a vision for it, not sure I would have had it seeing that chair's original state. I absolutely love it.
FABULOUS!! Love it!
Blessings, Fine Linen
The chair looks fantastic! I really love that little ruffled skirt you gave it. You have such an amazing vision for turning ugly ducklings into swans!
I think it turned out great! You'll need to start hiring yourself out to recover chairs for people! I love the burlap…great choice!
Nancy
Traci, your chair turned out gorgeous. I love it. You did such a great job of recovering it. Hugs, Marty
This is fantastic, Traci! I love the final outcome.
simply freaking amazing :) what a lovely transformation. definitely inspiring.
simply amazing! what a fab transformation. great goodwill find too… :)
I love it a little more every time I see it – soooo pretty!
You are so talented! I am constantly amazing by your projects and this time you have out done yourself. Simply Stunning!
Oooooh, that turned out so good ! You're a wild woman, sewing without pinning ! ;)
Amazing! It is beautiful. Glad you shared it again because I missed this the first time.
Hmmmm…I just know I could do this. Thanks for the inspiration!
I've done this before, so I know it's a lot of work. It looks beautiful.
@cheapchichome.blogspot.com
Love it!!
SO SO cute. I'm really liking the burlap I'm seeing everywhere. Hope it's still in style when I'm ready to decorate my new house!
I love it! I am bookmarking this post and trying this on a chair I have. Thanks for the great instructions and photos!
You have inspired me to try. I have three chairs that I bought for about 8.00 total don't really remember that is how long I have had them. Came from goodwill too! Anyway I have been chicken to make the attempt. But with your great tutorial I think I can do it now. And I love the black paint idea. I'll post photo's of the progress thanks for sharing this.
Have a great day,
Sherry
Looks beatiful Traci! Love the little pleated skirt. The perfect touch.
I do know how to spell beautiful. : )
Love your stuff…I linked to this post too!
Bethany @ Happy By Design
Wow- burlap is everywhere and your project is a great finish for a sad chair. I've always been afraid to tackle something more than just a flat dining seat reupholster but you made it seem doable.
I'd love to share your project with my readers on Tues. Terrie
This is so inspiring, you make it look so easy! I must speak your language because all the instructions were so clear. I can't wait to see what else you have going on at your blog!
This is adorable. I can't believe it's the same chair and that most of your makeover was done with staples! I have a chair in my guest room downstairs that has been waiting for a slipcover for a long time now. This might be exactly the motivation I needed to tackle it!
I guess I'm you newest follower. One month new to the blogging world but I have read yours before because I remember the tribute to your mother. Anyway…just read all of your burlap tutorials because I love it too and recently bought a HUGE bolt of it. Made a settee slipcover and a pillow so far. Wanted to make a round tablecloth and had an idea how to make it but your tutorial really spelled it out. Making it in three pieces is the key I was looking for. Thanks. And…I just adore the chair makeover.
This is fantastic!
Nice work!
And that for only about $15!
You go girl!
I just couldn’t resist!
You did such a nice job! the chair turned out so awesome: I had to post it on my blog!
Hope that’s OK with you….!!!!
This is the link:
http://potatoboutique.blogspot.com/2010/09/diy-burlap-chair-upholstery.html
Let me know what you think!
I think it’s gorgeous!
I also have found chairs in the same condition at yard sales and the goodwill. But I was afraid to tackle the upholstery. Not only did you make it look easy. But you did a magnificent job with it. It is simply gorgeous!
I LOVE this! I have a similar chair and just bought Duck cloth and that is as far as I have gone! Love your style!
http://theothergaborsister.wordpress.com
I have a similar chair that I just bought material for today! :) I really appreciate your tutorial, and know it will come in handy in the coming days when I am freaking out because I have never done this before!! :) You did a great job, and I love the pretty pillow you made to go with it!
Valerie
When I think of burlap I think “itchy”. Did you use a type that is softer? If so, I would LOVE to find some since I too love me some burlap! Super duper job on the chair!
Love this. How did you attach the ruffle trim without the staples showing?
I am so grateful I found your post. I have inherited to lovelies that I can’t bring myself to toss out! You have inspired me to give them new life! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I have never reupholstered before! Wish me luck!
What’s it like to actually sit in???? I have a pair of chairs I really want to cover in burlap and have for a very long time but I’m terrified it’ll be a total waste of time and $$. I’m sure they’ll look cute, but can you actually sit in them without being miserable??
It is comfortable. Burlap has come a long way, and most of the burlap sold in stores is actually somewhat soft. You can also purchase more high quality burlap that is used for recovering furniture.