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by Marian Parsons | Jan 4, 2017 | All Things Home, Before and Afters, Furniture Makeovers, Sewing, Tutorials, upholstery | 35 comments
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Well, it only took six months, but I finally finished the “deconstructed chair“! If you think I always plow through my to-do list and nothing languishes, well, the fact this took me six monthsshould make you feel better. There are times when I drag my feet, lack motivation, or I’m simply not in the mood. And upholstery is something I really need to be in the mood for.
So, for those who haven’t seen this chair along the way, here is how it looked shortly after I acquired it.
It was upholstered in a tattered, threadbare pink silk fabric that was stripped off pretty quickly. I really liked how it looked with just the muslin and burlap, but it was just a little too far gone. It was shedding horse hair stuffing and burlap fibers like crazy and just wasn’t going be functional at all. Despite what my husband thinks, function is a factor for me!
And here is the finished chair!
Admittedly, I dragged my feet on this project, but it also took me a while to complete, because I wasn’t 100% sure of which direction I wanted to go. So, I proceeded slowly, waiting until I was sure.
One thing that I wasn’t sure about was what I would use for piping. I finally decided the best way to go was custom double-welting. It’s the kind of trim that involves a lot of sewing, so it’s a little tedious, but it’s simple to make and is just the right finishing touch to make apiece look professional and polished.
Start by cutting a piece of fabric that is as long as you need it and about 3″ wide.
HERE is a video tutorial showing how to cut the fabric on a bias and piece fabric together to get the length you need. Follow these same steps with double welting, but cut the fabric wider.
Fold the fabric over the cotton cording, leaving plenty of fabric on one side to wrap over and cover another piece of cotton cording. Use a zipper foot in order to sew tightly against the cotton cording.
It should look like this…
Place another piece of cotton cording next to the first piece.
Fold the fabric over to cover the second cotton cord…
Use a double-welting foot to sew the “channel” between the two pieces of cording. Iused the double-welting foot made by Sailrite.
You can use a regular foot, but it won’t allow the stitching to create a channel quite as well.
Cut off the excess fabric with sharp scissors.
Glue or tack cut-side-down onto your piece and that’s it!
The perfect finishing touch for thisbeautiful chair.
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Karenon January 3, 2017 at 10:09 pm
Thanks for the tips on double welting!
Joon January 4, 2017 at 2:13 am
Wow! That is beautiful. I love all of your creations. I have a question, do you ever worry about bed bugs with furniture pieces like this? Not trying to be a spoiler, just wondering how you handle this because it has always held me back from these types of chairs or other pieces.
It is very lovely.
JoKimon January 4, 2017 at 10:19 am
I think that is an important question. It’s not just bedbugs, it’s roaches, silverfish, fleas, etc. How can we be sure of any furniture item not containing vermin? Especially from random sellers that are sight unseen. As well, there is the mold and mildew factor which is HUGE in antiques in general. I give everything the sniff test and reject most things. It’s a shame, because new pieces may be clean but they don’t have the same charm.
Miss Mustard Seedon January 4, 2017 at 2:24 pm
Yes, it definitely is a concern. With all of the furniture I have bought and sold, I have never had a problem with an infestation of bugs of any kind. I do always give pieces the “sniff test” and if I have any doubts or concerns at all, I don’t buy it.
Ramonaon January 4, 2017 at 4:19 am
Perfection!
Amy Joanne Mogishon January 4, 2017 at 8:59 am
Absolutely Beautiful!
Dodie Leibeckeon January 4, 2017 at 9:40 am
Beautiful chair!
Brendaon January 4, 2017 at 10:28 am
It may have taken six months but it certainly is beautiful! Congratulations on a difficult job well done!
Shannon // Style Emulatoron January 4, 2017 at 10:52 am
Oh, man. So gorgeous! I’d say the wait was most definitely worth it.
GLORIAon January 4, 2017 at 10:56 am
THANKS, I HAVE BEEN WONDERING HOW YOU DO THE DOUBLE WELTING. NOW I KNOW.
THE CHAIR IS BEAUTIFULDonnaon January 4, 2017 at 12:04 pm
Great post….this will be stored for future projects! I LOVE THAT CHAIR…I’m sure it’s a keeper, but….if you ever sell…think of me. My husband always says why rush into the project, sometimes good (GREAT) ideas happen when we think about it, and ponder options. This is a perfect example!
Heather Cooneyon January 4, 2017 at 2:28 pm
Great job as always. . . Did you blog as you progressed on this project. I can’t find anything except the original post.
Lynn Merrellon January 4, 2017 at 2:28 pm
Marian! You just recued me from trying to sew a chair box cushion. I have two beautiful wing chairs I wanted to redo but have the worse luck with box cushions!!! I wondered how a cushion like the one you did would look and I love it!!! You’re a genius!!!!
Denise Coxon January 4, 2017 at 2:32 pm
Wow!! Marion, You’re right! It doesn’t seem that complicated at all! May I ask you what sewing machine would you suggest for a beginner who would like to try her hand at upholstering? You have really piqued my interest in this arena and I would love to learn. I have also saved your tutorials from last year.
The chair is lovely!!!MARY-ANN (FROM CANADA!)on January 4, 2017 at 2:46 pm
Marian, your chair is gorgeous! What a lovely job you have done!
Bless you! Have a great day!
Lynn in DGon January 4, 2017 at 2:57 pm
Thanks MMS! Great post with perfect pics.
Ironically, I was just cleaning my sewing space and unearthed a large spool, no doubt bought for a few bucks at a Habitat Re-Store, of double welt. It almost got pitched out as I keep meaning to Google how to cover it but lose motivation. Mine is the type that has the two cords already sewn side by side. I bet I need the special foot you have. You have motivated me to get on with it finally!
marianon January 4, 2017 at 3:07 pm
Nice find! Having the cording already together just makes it easier. You just fold one piece over both cords and sew down the middle. Yes, a double welting foot makes a big difference in how sharp the finished product looks.
Michele Finkelsteinon January 4, 2017 at 3:45 pm
Love, love the chair redo. You are very talented. Would like to know where you got the carpet in the picture, and was it pricey.
Debbieon January 4, 2017 at 3:50 pm
Thank you so much for giving me the confidence to tackle double piping. Your instructions were so helpful! Happy New Year!
Lesleyon January 4, 2017 at 3:55 pm
Beautiful chair, I’m glad you didn’t stop at the “deconstructed” style. It looks so much nicer now, although I think a box cushion would complement the upholstery better than a buttoned off slip. A sturdy chair needs a sturdy seat, imho.
Yvonne Esteron January 4, 2017 at 4:04 pm
I’m so glad I follow your blog!!! What a beautiful chair and tutorial…..;)
Sueon January 4, 2017 at 6:54 pm
The chair itself is beautiful. I wish you would have made a more tailored seat cushion. That one on the chair looks to casual. Otherwise great job!
nancyon January 4, 2017 at 8:30 pm
I have to ask, did you glue the double welt, or tack it On? Would a stapler work in between the welts? I just finished a chair that was inspired by you. It scared me, but i did it.
marianon January 5, 2017 at 10:47 am
I glued it on. You could use a stapler between the welts, but they would be visible upon close inspection. I prefer glue for that reason.
Patriciaon January 4, 2017 at 10:50 pm
It was worth the wait !
I bought a beautiful antique linen sheet from you a while back and had it put on the bottom of four dining room chairs. Could you tell me the best way to spot clean the linen ?Cyndy Cookon January 5, 2017 at 1:19 pm
Hi,
Your chair turned out great and you saved hundreds of dollars by upholstering it yourself!!! What type of glue did you use to affix the welting?
Thanks!jamie petersonon January 8, 2017 at 12:25 pm
Marian, you made that look so easy. I sew but I was wondering how the welting attached. Glue!! What kind of glue did you use? And, I have to mention…our hands look identical, no fingernail polish and dry cuticles! I never seem to have time for polish or for that matter lotion! The chair is beautiful and definitely worth all the work. Now that I’ve spent a couple hours soaking up your blog I need to get up and do something productive today.
JennyBCon January 8, 2017 at 9:09 pm
That chair is lovely! You have such great vision for restoring tired pieces. Thanks for the sewing tutorial. I keep looking at the Sailrite machines. I decided this is the year to just start the projects I’ve been wanting to do. Then I can decide if I would use the machine enough to justify buying it. I know my machine now is not heavy duty enough to handle some of the heavier fabrics.
Amy Darlingon January 10, 2017 at 11:27 am
It’s like you read my mind!! I just picked a piece up a few weeks ago that had the double welting (not in good condition) and I was curious on the steps to recreate it. This tutorial explains it perfectly!!! As always, thank you Marian!!! Can’t wait to give this whirl!!
Demetrius Boyland-Sykeson January 11, 2017 at 6:20 pm
Impressive! Job well done!
Kim Mooreon February 23, 2017 at 9:47 pm
A local consignment store here in NE Ohio told me they are required to spray all fabric covered furniture with a product that kills any and all uninvited pests. I don’t know what it’s called but since it’s required by law someone should be able to find it.
Micheleon August 4, 2018 at 4:37 pm
What do you use for a sewing machine on you upholstery and slipcover projects, regular home sewing machine? Running foot heavy duty upholstering machine?
Marian Parsonson August 4, 2018 at 11:03 pm
I use a Sailrite sewing machine that is a portable upholstery machine, so it’s less expensive and smaller than most of the other upholstery machines I saw when I was looking for something that could handle the hemp and grain sack fabric I was working with. It’s been a great machine.
Tasha Roeon June 19, 2019 at 3:21 pm
I’m in love with this chair!! what size cording did you use for the double welt piping? I’m getting ready to rehab two matching chairs. Thanks for the tutorials!!
Maximeon February 19, 2020 at 5:49 am
Thank you, Marion, for this tutorial. You’ve made it look simple and achievable. A pretty little corner chair I have is the prefect candidate.
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