An Upholstered French Chair and a Pleated Skirt

I bought these chairs years ago at the DI (a local thrift store) for $5 a piece.  The caning on the back of the far one was destroyed but I decided to take a chance on them.  After all if worse came to worse I was only out $10.  I looked up how to fix caning, I quickly learned I wouldn't be fixing it.

  I would have to come up with some other idea to cover up the caning.  

I decided to upholster over the top of it!

I left the caning on the chairs for added support and I added batting to the front and back.  I used a $10 drop cloth I bought at Ace Hardware for the fabric.  I have loved working with drop cloths.  They are very durable and a great cost saving option.  

My First Attempt at Upholstery...

I have been wanting to tackle an upholstery project for quite some time now.  I have a couch in my garage needing to be reupholster, however it is going to be a really big project so I decided to start with something a little smaller....like a slipcover.  I have been sewing clothes and quilts for years now but upholstery was a whole new experience. 

 I didn't work from a pattern for this chair, I pieced it together on the chair.  That being said I made my fair share of mistakes, I unpicked A LOT, but I wanted the slipcover to fit this chair tight.

Completing this slipcover took sometime, I would work on it for a bit, get frustrated, and leave it until I could figure out a better way to do it.  I am happy to say Finally it is DONE!!  There are a few mistakes and tucks, but for my first go we will call it a success!

  

I used an drop cloth for the fabric, which I pre washed in hopes to avoid any shrinking when washed. With 3 kiddos I am sure It will have to be washed at some point!

I need to make another slipcover for an identical chair, I hope it goes a bit smoother now that I have an idea of what I am doing.  I will try to take some more pictures along the way! 

I hope everyone has a Happy New Year!

TTFN

Brooke