I scored a vintage deck chair last year at my favorite local antique shop. While I didn't really buy it with the intention of revamping it, I had no choice once my S.O. sat down and fell right through the disintegrating fabric! It did take me quite a bit of time to get around to yet another project, but it was worth the wait.
My first task at hand was picking out the fabric. I really wanted to splurge on some fancy Trina Turk outdoor fabric, but I also didn't want to spend more than necessary. After an exhausting online search, I found this fabric, which was on sale, and snatched it up. After careful measuring, I went to work sewing the sling. While the sewing itself was super easy, just straight lines, I did decide to double-up the fabric for extra support. Doing this also means the front and backside of the sling will show the fabric pattern. Next up, with the new fabric ready, it was clear the chair frame was in great need of staining and sealing. First, lots of sanding was necessary to remove the worn and flaking varnish. Then many painstaking hours of staining — the wood was so thirsty it took about 4 coats! After the stain had dried, I applied a matte exterior sealant to help protect the wood as well as all my hard work.
I also had planned on making a removable pillow with ties, but just after I finished my last stitch for the sling — my sewing machine broke! Fortunately, I was able to finish the main part, but once I get my machine repaired I intend to make the pillow, which I think will make it even snazzier. I also bought enough fabric and stain so I can repeat the same process on a worn out directors chair.
If you're interested in learning about the history of deck chairs, check out this post: Revisiting the Deck Chair
Images: Kimberly Watson
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Very kewl. The fabric is gorgeous. So is the paint job. Beautiful makeover!
You did a great job.....I'm just wondering why you went with a dark stain rather than natural or white?
Looks great in that garden.
Makes me wish I hadn't given my old deck chairs away. You did a great job!
I think these wooden deck chairs are so much prettier and more comfortable than modern metal ones, plus they fold up flat and don't absorb heat. I have 3 ground-level ones for the beach that I'm getting ready to re-do, been in my family for 40 years, so comfortable, easy to haul, and still fully functional but deserving of new fabric for the very pizazz of which you speak ! I feel sort of sorry for people when I see them wrestling those modern behemoths down to the beach, so unnecessary ! Great job.
Dumb question: Does the frame come apart so that you can slide the top and bottom through the sewn fabric or did you hand-stitch the fabric onto the frame? Thanks!
Great Chair, love the fireplace, very retro!!
@ellabee - I was wondering the same thing! I have 2 I scored years ago but on mine, the dowel can't be removed. I saw one at an outdoor festival and saw that they had attached the fabric by stapling it to the top dowel and then wrapping it around the dowel and securing again with a row of upholstery tacks. It looked like they did the same thing at the bottom. Kind of nitsy business, which is probably why I haven't yet updated them.
This is beautiful. It's simple, but you can see the care that was taken to do the job well. Also, the fabric pattern is really attractive. It doesn't scream "patio furniture" at all.
Looks like a cute patio, too. Have you featured it on the site?
Hi All!
I'll try to answer the questions posed about how the fabric attaches to the frame, but unfortunately, I don't think all deck chairs are designed the same way so it sort depends on the style of your frame. Mine is definitely quite old and is designed so both dowels can be removed. I actually decided to replace my dowels with new ones during the refinishing process. Since mine can be removed, I folded the fabric and sewed a seam so there would be a pocket for the dowel to slide through. If the dowels seem to be glued in, there is a chance you could take a hammer and try to tap them out, replace the fabric, then use wood glue to glue them back in place. If not, the velcro closures suggested by deathandfood seems like a good idea, although I wonder if the velcro would be sturdy enough to hold it in place once you add the weight of a person. I have read of many that use upholstery nails, seems like that would be a be another good option.
Thanks for the lovely compliments... as for SweetTea's question, I haven't featured my garden on AT yet, just bits and pieces of it here and there. But stay tuned, hope to feature it before the summer is out!