~SHABBY COTTAGE CHIC CHAIR TUTORIAL.......PART THREE~

~Old Fabric Removed~

(left click pics to enlarge/copy)

Today I will be taking you through Part III of transforming most any chair with an upholstered seat.  If you have missed my previous How-To posts of the Shabby Cottage Chic Chair Tutorial you can find them here:  PART I and PART II.

Tomorrow I will be showing you how to make a sweet linen chair flounce and/or skirt!  It is truly the perfect final touch to most any Shabby Cottage Chic Chair!

Today I will be picking up where I left off yesterday...

Are you ready?  Good!

17.  Wood Finishing.  The easiest Finish (and the one I love best) for shabby cottage chic furniture is plain old Furniture Wax.  It is inexpensive and can be found at your local hardware store.  I use this almost exclusively and it comes in many forms...from Formby's to even store brands.  It is easy to apply with a soft cloth and can be buffed out.  Waxing will add a soft finish to your chair and keep it from becoming dry looking.

18.  Another choice is Delta's Faux Finish Glaze Base found at most hobby stores.  I simply mix 1 part Glaze and one part Chair Paint and apply it with a soft cloth by hand.  This technique will soften the distressed edges of your chair and lighten up any 'shabbying'.  Finishing Glaze will add a light transparent topcoat look to your project!

~Cutting New Fabric For Cushions~

19.  I removed the old fabric covering my cushions and used it as a pattern and cut out new ones from a fabulous creamy white Damask (or Jacquard).  Since my chairs were manufactured in 1992 (see the date stamp on top) the foam was still in wonderful condition and I saw no reason to replace it.  However, on the chairs I made-over in my breakfast room the padding was the original from the 1940's...it was that old cotton batting stuff and it needed to GO (hand-cleaning over this type of cotton will result in spotted cushions).

20.  If your cushion needs new foam I suggest you skip the rubbery stuff and try and one of the dense Polyfill Cushion Fibre.  I used this product on the antique James Reilly chairs you see below and was very, very pleased with the results.  It is sold at most traditional fabric stores (like Hancock's, JoAnn's, etc.).  It comes in pre-cut sizes and is also sold by the yard.  It goes ON SALE all the time, too!

~Sweet Vintage Chairs~

21.  For years I used a hand-stapler before I finally got smart and invested in a high-powered one.  I simply stapled the new cover in place being careful NOT to square off the fabric around the edges and/or corners.  Just hand-gather in tiny pleats and staple in place!  Trim back extra fabric but not too close.  If you ever need to remove the fabric you'll want to be able to reattach it without too much trouble.

~Staple New Fabric In Place~

~Sooo Sweet!~

~Tah-Dah!~

~Save Old Cover~

22.  Reattach your cushion and you are almost ready to go!  Don't toss out that old fabric covering just yet though!  It will be used as a 'rough template' for making the Chair Cover/Flounce I'll be showing you tomorrow!

Can't wait to show you the last part of the Tutorial!  Shabby Cottage Chic RULES! :)

 Blessings for a wonderful Wednesday!

Love to you~