Thursday, June 13, 2013

Covered Twice Chairs

Our dining room is probably the most often used room in our house.  The dining room table is where we eat (we have a tiny kitchen) and where my daughters do their art projects, decorate cupcakes, build forts  - I am actually sitting in here right now using the table as a desk for my laptop.  Not surprisingly, the cushions on the chairs in there have been looking - well, less than beautiful! I actually haven't recovered the cushions since before I had kids - and since my oldest daughter is 10, it has been awhile.  What - were you expecting a before photo?  Oops, I forgot to take some!



I finally bought some beautiful fabric to recover the chairs (Stamped from Kokka) and with the help of my visiting mother-in-law, my husband, and my older two daughters, we got all six chairs covered.  And I LOVED them - yes LOVED them --- until it was time for us to sit down to dinner.  What was I thinking using light colors for these chairs - and linen?!?!?!  I immediately covered all the chairs with dishtowels before we ate but needed to find a more permanent solution and re-covering was not an option.



The next morning with everyone back to work and school and my littlest in for her nap, I started pulling all the dark fabrics from my stash (and scrap pile) and assembly-style, made four patchwork chair covers - that is four removable, washable covers!  I basically made four mini quilts and then hand-sewed fabric straps on the back to attach them to the chairs (and yes, I plan on making 2 more - after working on these for the week, I needed to switch projects for a while.)


So, yes, I know I am totally ridiculous but what can I say?!?!?  Oh, and I used this opportunity to practice some new FMQ techniques (well, after I did the straight line quilting on the quilt in the above photo!)  They actually didn't take too long to make since I strip pieced - I didn't take any photos of the process but I will when I make the last two cushion covers and then I'll share how I made them.

Linking to Finish It Friday and Really Random Thursday.

39 comments:

  1. Haha, brilliant! Do you know what? As much as I love the Stamped fabric, I think I like the patchwork covers more! These are so cute - I'm looking forward to seeing how you made them.

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  2. I like both so much! It's really smart to make the removable ones, dining chairs get dirty so quickly!

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  3. I am not sure which I like better! I love that your patchwork covers are removable so you can go dressy if you're feeding grownups. I might have let my husband talk me into upholstered chairs if I'd thought there was an opportunity for patchwork. :)

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  4. Those are so cute, Beth. What a great idea!

    :) Kelly @ My Quilt Infatuation

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  5. Ooh, then you can make different covers for different seasons...smart idea with the piecework to camoflauge any stains.

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  6. Isn't that just an awesome idea! I would feel the same way about the other chairs as well. You should see how my 2 year old eats!

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  7. Genius! Haha - we ALWAYS put a towel down for my son when we eat at the outside table with the nice cushions (the inside ones are just wood). This is a fabulous solution and very easy on the eyes too, much better than a having to put down a towel!

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  8. Your chairs must be the smartest around now Beth :)

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  9. I think these are perfect! And add an awesome punch of color!

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  10. I like both versions - and great idea to make them removable for washing.

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  11. Both versions are stunning especially with that beautiful dark wood!

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  12. Brilliant idea! I've been thinking about making new cushions for my dinning chairs. I like both versions, but I love the idea of removable covers.

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  13. Those are so cute! I really wish I had upholstered chairs just so I could make some covers :)

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    Replies
    1. We use something similar to these with more batting on our wooden chairs for decoration and to have more cushy seats.

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  14. This will work perfect for you. When you have guests and want to be fancy, you just take off your patchwork.

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  15. fantastic idea, Beth. Your double covered chairs look gorgeous both ways. I have the same dilemma with our dining room chairs, but I just keep threatening my kids not to stain them. I like your solution better :)

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  16. Hilarious, love that you covered them twice, you crazy woman! Both look absolutely gorgeous, well done! :o)

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  17. Both facelifts look great but I really love the scrappy ones and it's a great idea to make them removable :)

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  18. Brilliant covers, amazing!
    Now I want to copy them, but bigger, for a quilt :)

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  19. Ahhh, I love them! So cheery! I would love to see how you made them. I love my chairs (they look a lot like yours), but I'm pretty over the tan fabric on the cushions.

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  20. Lovely, really lovely. I have just bought a pale map fabric chair cushion for my littlest boy, who is 5, and after I brought it home I realised that anything pale wasn't a good choice! Maybe I need to do a little sewing...

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  21. I love both of them! I can see what you mean about using light colors though, I have decided not to make something like this until my kids can actually move food from their plate to their face without spilling half of it :) I am looking forward to your tutorial!

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  22. Can you Scotchguard the light ones? I love the patchwork ones.

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  23. Absolutely not ridiculous - I think it's a great idea! You can use the lighter coloured ones when you're entertaining, and the patchwork ones when the kids are about! ;)

    I really need to do something about covering my chairs. I even have a staple gun so don't know what I'm waiting on!

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  24. I think it's a great idea too! I love the bright cheery feeling of the patchwork covers but how wonderful it would be to have an adult dinner with the triangle fabric.

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  25. Very clever momma!! I like the patchwork. You will have happy cheeks when sitting down for dinner - or anything else you sit there for!!

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  26. Genius, Beth! They look beautiful too!

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  27. Looks good Beth! You should have stuck with the original plan of consulting with me first. ;)

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  28. Your new chair seat covers are beautiful. The washable patchwork covers are a great idea. Thank you for the inspiration ... :) Pat

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  29. I love this! I need to do something similar for my mom's dining room chairs. Looking forward to the 'how-to' post.

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  30. These are so cute, well, both of them! I had a friend recently recover her chairs using laminated cotton and that totally seems like the way to go. Cute, stain resistant and wipeable. I also recently covered my chairs and didn't think and after only about two years they are NASTY!

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  31. These are great cushions!! I can see why you made them;)

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  32. I like Pomegranate Quilt's idea of copying, but larger. These are awesome!

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  33. The stamped fabric is gorgeous though - go Japanese and make people eat on the floor looking at yur amazing chairs ;)

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  34. Fun! We grew up on the theme of wooden chairs, tie cushions for the chairs and "don't you spill anything on the nice/special occasion/company apholstered chairs!" Part of the charm of childhood :)

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  35. What a fantastic idea, they look gorgeous! Beautiful and practical too!

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