Curtain Panels - Dummy Panels

This is a simple project that I know you will enjoy.  It is amazing how adding curtains or dummy panels can change the look of a room.  In this project I made dummy panels to add a frame around my living room windows.  They are odd shaped and there is more wall space on one side of the window than the other and they are separated by a fire place.  In order to make that end of the room look balanced I made these panels to make the windows look larger than they are and to make them look symmetrical.

The fabric was originally 54" (4 1/2 ft wide) and I had 5 yards (15 ft) of fabric.  I cut the fabric in half making two pieces of fabric to work with.  I then cut the fabric down the length of the fabric making two 2 1/4 ft wide pieces.  At this, if you are using only one fabric, you will start hemming you panels.  I used two different fabrics for my curtains.  One that was floral, which is the primary portion of the panels, and one coordinating striped fabric, which I used for the top of the curtain panels.

I sewed the stripe to the floral by placing right sides together making it into one panel.  Then I pressed the seam down towards the floral pattern.  At this point I pressed a small 1/4" hem down both sides of the panel lengthwise and then folded and pressed a 1" hem.  You can make the hems any size you wan to, I just felt that this would like the way I wanted it to look. 

Sew down the hem using whatever stitch you want to use.  I used a blanket stitch on mine.  Next you will press down your hem on the top of the panel, then fold it over and stitch it \where you want.

After hemming all the edges, I wanted to add a little embellishment to the seam between the two fabrics to give the panel a finished look.  First I pinned the trip on and then I machine stitched it down.  You will want to stitch this very slowly if you are using your machine.

This is what they looked like once they were finished.

As usual, I hope I have inspired you to start your own home project.  Remember, these projects are simple, so get the kids involved!

Happy Sewing!!!

More Upholstering....Vinyl!

This is another quick upholstery project that I did over the weekend.  It was very easy and even the kids can help you with this project.  The first picture is what the seat of the chair looked like originally.  My grandfather made and upholstered this chair back in the 70's, that's right the 70's, and it has started to get stained and worn looking, so I am going take off the red vinyl covering and replace it with some black vinyl that was left over from one of my mother's projects.  Remember...RECYCLE...REUSE...and find a way to use those scraps!

My old chair.

The first thing you will do is turn the chair over and take out the screws that hold the chair cushion to the wooden frame.  There are usually 4 screws.  This one was fun because my grandfather used different types of screws so I had to use two different screwdrivers!  Then peal or pull of the old covering and remove the staples that were holding it down.  You may need a flat head screwdriver and definitely a pair of pliers to do this.

You should have the new material lying on the floor right side down.  Next, lay the wooden seat form and the cushioning on top of the new material.  You should trim the new material so that approximately 2 -3 inches folds easily from the front to the back of the wooden seat form.

 Use a staple gun to secure the material.  Place one staple approximately every inch starting at the middle and working your way to the corners.

Then you will fold the excess material up and tuck in the sides nice and tight.  Use your staple gun to secure the material to the back of the chair form.

Now you are ready to reattach the seat form to the wooden chair frame.

And there you have it!  A newly upholstered chair.  Now all this little chair needs is a little stains to cover up those nicks and scratches and it will be like new!!

Now I know that this isn't a sewing project, but it is a lot of fun.  Remember to get your kids involved!!

HAPPY SEWING!!!

First Project of 2012 - Reupholstering Dinning Room Chairs

Today I decided to use some tapestry/upholstery fabric to recover my dinning room chairs.  They oak chairs with fabric cushions, a pretty typical find in most homes.  I inherrited these chairs from my mother when she updated her dining room set and although they were covered nicely with a trendy colored plaid material, they have gotten stained by my young son and great-nephew.  This is a simple project, so don't be afraid to jump right in and change out the fabric on your own chairs!

Before Picture

The first step is to turn the chair over and take out the screws that hold the chair cushion to the wooden frame.  Then remove the fabric from the chair, or, if it is the original fabric, you can apply the new fabric over the top of the original fabric.  My chair had been reupholstered before, so when I took off the plaid fabric, the original cushion cover was still there.

I added a little extra batting when I applied the new fabric because I wanted to have a little more cushion, as these chairs are older.

To put a new layer of fabric and batting on the cushion, I laid the fabric right side down on the floor and then laid the batting on top of the fabric.  Then you are going to cut the fabric leaving enough fabric on all side so that when you fold it over the edges of the cushion, you have two to three inches of fabric to work with.

Next you are going to use your staple gun to secure the fabric to the back side of the cushion.  You will staple approximately every inch or so on all side starting at the middle and stopping 1 inch from the corner. Then fold the corner pieces towards the back to the cushion, making sure that the folds on each side are even.  It should look almost like hospital corners on your bed when you put on your top sheet.

Once you have finished stapling the fabric to the back of the cushion, you are ready to reattach the cushion to the wood frame.  Make sure your screws go back in and aren't just twisting in the fabric.  You won't be able to see the holes, but they should be easy to find if you line the cushion back up correctly with the back of the chair allowing an equal amount of overhang on all edges.

After Picture

I hope you all enjoy this project, it is quick and easy and definately something you can do over a weekend!

HAPPY SEWING!!!!