Search This Blog

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

A USEFUL SKILL

Ah, mastery... what a profoundly satisfying feeling when one finally gets on top of a new set of skills... and then sees the light under the new door those skills can open, even as another door is closing.
~ Gail Sheehy ~ 


Well, we finally got the settee reupholstered that I mentioned in a previous post.  Reupholstering is one of those skills that has saved us thousand of dollars over the years.  I always say that if you can wrap a complicated shaped gift box, you  can reupholster. There are lots of books out there on the subject,  but to learn, you really just need to keenly observe how it was done in the first place.  I wouldn't start out with a deeply tufted Victorian davenport, but eventually you could work your way up to it.  Dining room chairs are a good place to start. Then maybe a simple chair that doesn't have a separate cushion. If you ask me, reupholstering is a lot easier and takes a lot less skill than making slipcovers that so many of you wonderful seamstresses make. 


And the money you'll save!  This cute little loveseat started out as a rather staid fussy thing with a formal powder blue brocade cover.  By switching the fabric to this serene blue-green vintage Waverly print, it went from uninviting to comfy English cottage.  The settee cost $35  and the fabric was about $30 from an Ebay auction.  And additional $5 for staples and that brings the total cost to $70. By the by, don't you love the names of those vintage fabrics, Quaker Lady, Sturbridge Stencil, Wedgewood Trellis?  They seem so romantically New England-y  farmhouse-y  dear.  Auctions, estate sales, and garage sales are chock full of nice well made furniture just waiting to be revived and that can be purchased for a song (well maybe not a song if I'm singing!).  And usually it's better made than the newer stuff since most have hardwood frames and tendoned joints.  Plus the scale is right for smaller homes.  New furniture seems to be made for the Taj Mahal or something.  

The bottom line is this; don't let the fear of failure keep you from trying something new, be it gardening, canning, playing piano or whatever your heart desires to learn.  The libraries and book stores have volumes of how-to books. Schools offer classes on all sort of things.  Study up and take the plunge.  You might discover a new skill that gives you joy.  If not,it will be an oy vay! moment and you can move on knowing you tried at least.  This winter when I have more time, I'll be studying photography.  As you can see by the above picture, that's one skill that needs some honing! I think that the battery needs recharging, that might help it look a bit sharper.  Lighting wasn't good either.  Even I know that much!

20 comments:

  1. This is lovely! I have always been unsure about learning this skill.... but you make me think I could do it... I have a chair that needs fluffing up a bit... We'll see if I give it a go!

    What colour did Ran paint the front door? We are changing ours and I am thinking, wait for it, purple!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Matty, if I can do it, you can do it that's for sure. Just be sure to use a staple gun with a flat front so that you can get into tight spots. Ran painted the door Nantucket red. A kind of faded out red color. Right now it looks sort of pinkish next to the white siding, I'm sure it will look more reddish after the gray cedar shakes go up. I'm not sure neighbor Ada approves :( Purple would be nice. I once had a room painted the loveliest shade of lavender called Thyme Flower.It wasn't a sweet lavender color, but darker, even masculine, if lavender can ever be described as that. I wish I could replicate that color.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I am very impressed, and thank you for the encouragement! I have a friend who does a beautiful job reupholstering (she does a beautiful job at everything) and has tried to get me to try it before... ;)

    I just love your settee. Wonderful shape, and great fabric!

    Blessings, Debbie

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thanks Debbie! I see by the picture that I have the cushion on upside down. Oh well! It will start to curve down eventually. I love wing back chairs. Those little curves are so nice to nestle into during a cold winter's night by the fire.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Dear Jane,

    I love the fabric you chose! It makes me want to re-do all the icky furniture in our house. ;)

    Love,

    Marqueta

    ReplyDelete
  6. Jane, that is so pretty! The fabric, plus I just love settees anyway (don't have one though). I was thinking of writing about cleaning my slipcovers....i'll see if I feel like that tomorrow. I meant to add, the other day, how pretty your flowers are with your cookies! And about squirrels...my kids and husband call them "bushy tail rats" so I guess we would agree with you on the rodent idea! lol, Andrea

    ReplyDelete
  7. Very nice Jane! You are definitely a "Jane-of-all-trades"! You always inspire me to try new things - but you just went beyond my reach with recovering furniture!! lol Beautiful job!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Marqueta, if you want to do it I have a large bolt of cheery yellow plaid fabric for you! We reupholster a chair and and a small loveseat and there's still yards and yards on the bolt. I bought it on years ago for $5 at one of those fabric outlets. Unfortunately it would cost a fortune to ship!

    Thank you Andrea! Those are roses from around our yard. Those big peachy peony type ones are Evelyn and the are the ones Crabtree and Evelyn use for the rose scented perfume. Have them planted by the doorway so we get to enjoy them every time we go outside.

    Hello Sandy! The way you can sew those lovely quilts, reupholstering would be a cake walk for you!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Wow, it looks great. When I was in high school I helped my mama and grandmama reupholster a love seat and foot stool, but that is my only experience with it. I do have a love seat that could use some help, though. I'd just have to get brave enough to try it...lol

    ReplyDelete
  10. Like I said Shara, if you can wrap an irregular shaped Christmas present, you can reupholster. It's so much fun. The fabrics out there are so beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I love the names of those vintage fabrics, I agree new furniture can be too big for smaller houses. This piece of furniture looks perfect for a cottage. I love looking at the fabrics selection on ebay, very pretty treasures out there. :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Yes, aren't there, April? I love looking at the fabrics and vintage wallpaper when I have a spare moment. It always amazes me that it is still available after all these years. Thank goodness for those hoarders! :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. I just needed to pop back over to say thank you for your encouragement and prayer. Today is a bit better. Three years ago I did have some testing done and thyroid was one of them. They didn't find out what was wrong, just prescribed a lot of supplements for the symptoms which has helped a bit. I just keep praying for the Lord to either heal me or show me the answer!

    Blessings, Debbie

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hi Jane, what a lovely job you did on the love seat! It looks beautiful. The fabric was a wonderful find too and I love the colors. Your post was very uplifting and encouraging. It is so refreshing to try new things and to master new skills. Or even take out old skills and give them a good airing and try a new approach.

    I know what you mean about the size of furniture these days. It is so oversized and not in the right proportion, for older homes, apartments or trailers. It makes shopping a bit of a challenge. You did such a great job and brought years of new life to your love seat! I hope you have a lovely evening ahead. Delisa :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hi Jane, what a lovely job you did on the love seat! It looks beautiful. The fabric was a wonderful find too and I love the colors. Your post was very uplifting and encouraging. It is so refreshing to try new things and to master new skills. Or even take out old skills and give them a good airing and try a new approach.

    I know what you mean about the size of furniture these days. It is so oversized and not in the right proportion, for older homes, apartments or trailers. It makes shopping a bit of a challenge. You did such a great job and brought years of new life to your love seat! I hope you have a lovely evening ahead. Delisa :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. I LOVE your settee, you did a beautiful job Jane and the fabric is lovely!
    Believer it or not, your post about this just might be an answer to prayer! It's a long story, but it really could be! Thank you soooo much!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well, some day perhaps you will tell me the story. Thank you, Lori! It's always nice to be on the answer side of a prayer!

      Delete
  17. I promise Jane I will! The problem is I want to read all your posts from the beginning..then I find I want to comment on them all..if I do will I ever catch up?? So I might just make some notes as I go along and send you a large email when I get to the present..sound like a plan? If I know me I won't be able to keep quiet that long. LOL!! I am amazed at how many things we have in common. I think the Lord led me here, you already feel like a very dear friend Jane.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That sounds like a wonderful idea Lori! I'd like to get to know you better. I have guest coming for the next several days, so if I don't respond quickly, don't be surprised or feel I'm ignoring you. The plans they are making sounds like I'll have a busy week ahead. Hope that you will have a wonderful week also!

      Delete
  18. Thank you Jane. I am in nesting mode..cozying up our home. I just love this time of year!! I hope you have a wonderful week with your guests and don't worry about me, I'll still be here when you get back. :) Happy Halloween!

    ReplyDelete