Starting the Denim Reupholstery Project
I have been planning to recover this chair in denim for a couple of years. It all began in May of 2013 when I saw this post on Apartment Therapy. There are a lot of things that I love about this room, but the couch is what really caught my attention. I decided that would be a great look for our chair.
Over the next couple of years, I collected old jeans from friends and loved ones. There were many times that I thought about starting the project, but taking the first step proved to be harder than I would have liked. I was paralyzed by insecurity about how I wanted to do it.
A couple of weeks ago, I took a before picture of my chair. I planned to start it right away, but you know how my plans often go. I just could not make the first cut.
Finally on Monday, I decided to get to work. Since I was having a hard time deciding how to cut the pieces, I started with something easier. I just started cutting off the seams, pockets and waists of all the jeans. It took me hours, but in the end, I was left with a tidy pile.
I also had a swollen hand and a box of scraps. I have decided not to get rid of them until I decide that I am not going to use any of them.
Yesterday, I started sewing patches on the back pillow. Four hours later, I had four small patches sewn on. To be fair, I had conversations with my grandmother and my sister while I was working. Things would have gone much quicker had I concentrated more on the work at hand. Honestly, when is that ever going to happen? This chair might be finished by 2016.
Wish me luck!
Happy Homemaking!
I am a teacher, traveler, artist, writer, homemaker and a whole lot more. In January 2009, I bought the Cape of Dreams. It was the second house that I had ever owned, but it was the first that I bought by myself. I now live in the house with my husband Douglas, our dog Kahlua, and Crème de Menthe, the cat. Because, what life is complete without a little Kahlua and Cream? I love arts and crafts of all kinds, and I refinish furniture as well. We are slowly redoing our entire house. You can read about my projects on my blog www.CapeofDreams.com
good luck, that’s a lot of work, those patches aren’t going anywhere, I would be tempted to use bigger patches especially on the outside parts, a little bit at a time is enough, don’t want to hurt your hands and wrists, I love the inspirational room,
are you using upholstery needle(s)? they’re large and good for piercing through those thick layers, also there are curved needles good for the in and out-ness and less pain
Thank you for reminding me to get a curved needle. I think that a straight needle is easier for the pillows, but a curved needle is going to be preferable for the chair itself. I also like the idea of using bigger patches on the outer sections of the chair, especially the back which will not be seen much.
We have a couple curved needles, but may not be right size
You will have to show me where they are.
I like the way the patches look with their variegated shades of blue. The chair will look great! But wow, this will take you forever! Wouldn’t it be easier to machine-sew them together (still with the raw edges showing) and then use the sheets of fabric to upholster the chair?
Love the tub of scraps … looks like you gutted the jeans!:)
It was an utter gut job! I debated for a long time about machine sewing the patches, especially for the cushions, but in the end I decided to do it all by hand. I must be crazy!
Lots of handwork here. I can’t wait to see the results. Congrats on getting started. This is the kind of project that people will love but would never have enough money to actually buy due to the time it will take to complete. Once finished it should last forever. Jo @ Let’s Face the Music
It had better last forever! I am loving the look so far and think that I might have to try velvet patches on another chair!
I think I would make a slip cover for the cushion also. Put a zipper in it and piping around it. See how that turns out and then maybe slip cover the rest (using muslim for the seat decking) instead of sewing onto the existing cover.
This is actually the lazy way for me because I don’t know if I could do a slipcover or a zipper. My attempts with either in the past have not been good! My mother is coming to visit me this weekend. Perhaps I could get her to help. She is a master seamstress!
You’re so brave to undertake such a huge project! I can’t imagine how long it’ll take, but it’s a great look.
I can imagine that it is going to take a long, long, long time. I am already sewing faster than I started though!