Before & After: A First-Time Upholsterer Tackles a Rocker
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Dania was on the hunt for a rocker to go with the fresh blue and cream nursery she was planning for her new son. This old green vinyl rocker from her in-laws worked just fine…but wasn’t quite the look she was going for. And though she had never upholstered anything before, she tackled this task, and the result is impressive!
From Dawn:
My sister, Dania, had never reupholstered anything before. Or sewn anything since eighth grade home economics. But that didn’t stop her from taking on this re-upholstery project herself after the quote she got to have it professionally done came back as more than the cost of buying a new chair.The original chair came from her in-laws, and while it was in great functioning shape, the green vinyl upholstery wasn’t in the best shape. There were some rips and holes, and frankly it just wasn’t a great color to start with for the room she was planning for her new son. She was dreaming of a nice neutral linen that would work in a crisp blue and cream nursery.
Dania ripped the old chair apart piece by piece, slowly and methodically saving everything, and using the original fabric as a template to cut new fabric for each piece as she went. She borrowed my sewing machine for about a month, reused all the stuffing and the original frame, and the results are gorgeous!
When I visited her to photograph this, she joked that I shouldn’t take photos so close. But I think it turned out amazing. Especially for a first time project. The total cost to make over this old family chair came in at just over $100 for fabric and supplies.
Thank you Dawn and Dania! See more on Dawn’s blog.
Re-edited from a post originally published 12.7.14-NT