Well, it has only been 4 months since I first told you the sad story of the rocking chair I rescued from GW. I felt sorry for her, but I have to say, as this rocking chair makeover progressed stumbled along, I had a few moments of tears, hair pulling, and mumbling to myself. There may have been a reason she was so lonely….
First, let’s take a peek at her happy new life:
And then a reminder of what she looked like before:
You would think she would be excited to have a spa day, wouldn’t you? No, she was comfortable in the familiar. First, she got a round of dermabrasion. Sometimes we have to experience a little pain to reach the goal. Sanding. And more sanding. Lots more. Two coats of General Finishes black milk paint, light distressing, and a coat of Minwax wipe on polyurethane.
Next up, a little butt lift. 
I removed the sagging seat fabric/ duct tape/ whatever it was and stretched upholstery webbing across the opening. NOTE: You really need a webbing stretcher to get it pulled tight enough- otherwise, you’ll have a saggy butt again in no time.
Stapled burlap over the webbing, then added the foam (held into place with spray glue). Next up, batting- pulled and trimmed and stapled into place underneath.
Next, I took her perky new seat to the French countryside for the start of a new outfit. I used drop cloth fabric and the French grain sack graphic from Graphics Fairy.
She needed a skirt to cover her springs. Rather than a ruffled skirt like she had before, I decided to give her an updated look with a shorter pleated skirt and black grosgrain ribbon along the top edge.
Sounds pretty simple so far, right? Whoa, let’s back up a little. Getting the seat fabric around the spindles was a nightmare. I walked away from it so many times, unable to figure out how to clip the fabric around the spindles and still have enough to cover the foam and the seat. If I had any training at all in upholstery, I would have known to sew an insert to fit around the spindles. But it was too late for that.
You may think this is silly, but I pray for inspiration on projects, and I desperately needed some on this one. Finally, I realized I could add a piece of fabric around the spindles, glue it to the seat fabric with fabric glue, and staple underneath. Not perfect, but it works for my skill level.
Ok, my uncooperative little chair also needed a little something-something up top.
I first thought of adding another graphics transfer, but felt it would be too busy. I opted instead for a button tufted pillow using plain drop cloth fabric and black cording. A button at the center on front and back adds a little bling to her outfit.
Whew! This girl was tough!
Oh, but she did finally whisper her name, “Just call me Colette.” I think she likes her new look.
Makes me wonder about my own kicking and screaming when God wants to change me. Always for the better, but not always painless. I’m glad He is much more skilled and patient than I.
Affiliate links to products used in this project:
Upholstery Webbing + Webbing Stretcher + Black Grosgrain Ribbon
Doodles,
Hello! I just finished a chair exactly like yours. I was online looking for the type of chair it is now that it is finished. When I took the chair as a barter from a friend, I didn’t know what I would do with it. I just opened an antique shop and wanted to know the kind of chair it was for customers. I found your chair as I have been hunting.
Like you, the spindles were a bear. I went for a spring, summer, porch rocker look with geraniums and tea in mind. I don’t think I can post a photo here. But, my question to you is, do you know the type of chair this is and who made it? Yours is GORGEOUS!
Hi, Amanda, I’m sorry I don’t know anything about the chair’s maker or history. I’m guessing it’s Early American, but that’s as close as I can get. I would love to see a picture of yours. If you’re on facebook, feel free to post a picture on Plum Doodles there, or email me a picture at SheilaG@PlumDoodles.com.
I have a similar chair, in the family since 1950ish
Always called it a Cricket Rocker.
It creeks when you rock and seems to sooth the baby.
It was passed down, used for my husband, our two kids and now using it for our brand new grandbaby. No longer am able to find cushions made for it, last time it was 1986 and found through Sears catalog and Montgomery Wards. Was looking for skirted patterns..
Oh, wow, what a treasure your chair has become, Tammie. I hope you are able to find a pattern for it. <3
I have this very same chair. It has always been in the family home. There was the rocker and a stationary chair of the same kind just searched the web and up this came, thank you for sharing… Pondering the canvas I have…
Hi, first, absolutely love the chair – beautiful! Also, I have a rocking chair with many spindles that need covered and, like you, have tried and walked away many times. What do you mean by “sew an insert for around the spindles?” Can you describe or show a picture? I have gotten estimates from upholsterers and they want up to $400 to cover the springs and make new cushions which I think is crazy. There has to be a way to do it. Thanks for any help.
I’m replying to my own post. Sorry I just saw your response to Diane. I know that originally the spindles on my rocker somehow had fabric “wrapped ” around them but I didn’t think to take a picture before I ripped the old fabric off. If I figure it out I will come back and share.
Sorry, your response to Bette, not Diane.
Karen, I would love to know what you figure out about those dreaded spindles. 🙂 I used fabric glue to glue extra fabric to the fabric already stapled in place. But I’m sure an extra wedge of fabric could be sewed into the clipped area before attaching it to the seat. I just didn’t have the knowledge or patience to figure out how to do it. (My chair originally had a removable cushion, so it was no help at all in making a pattern.)
After you put the foam on the seat, what kind of and how much batting did you use? Did you extend it over the edge to cover the front edge of the chair. Did you cover the batting with any fabric besides the drop cloth that was the finished cover? Great chair, I’m recovering a chair and rocker for daughter going to grad school.
Dianna, I used one layer of batting, wrapped around the edges and stapled underneath. I don’t remember what kind of batting, but any kind should work. I didn’t add another layer of fabric underneath the drop cloth. Hope this helps, and good luck with your chairs. 🙂
I have an almost identical chair to upholster. Please tell me the correct way to cover around the spindles. You said to sew an insert?
Bette, I had a terrible time with the spindles. I’m sorry, I don’t really know what the correct way to add the extra fabric would be. I’m sure there must be a trick to it, but I couldn’t figure it out. That’s why I gave up and just glued extra fabric around the spindles.
Just Love so Many things You do Looking forward to
visiting with you often…..Lisa
What an Amazing Gorgeous Transfer
Love it Lisa
I don’t believe my comments went through… so I’ll try again…
I LOVE your chair, it looks amazing! Can you tell me where I could find a webbing stretcher? We recently redid a chair without a stretcher and we just couldn’t get it tight…so it is still a “look at only” chair!
Thanks for the help…
Blessings
Cindy
Cindy, thank you so much! I ordered the webbing stretcher from Amazon. This is the one I got: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003T2XBPC/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003T2XBPC&linkCode=as2&tag=plumdood-20
Looks amazing, love your rocker! Please tell me where I could find a webbing stretcher? We added new webbing to a chair and I could tell it wasn’t going to yield the results I was hoping for so it is still a “look at only” chair. Thanks for your help!
Blessings,
Cindy
I LOVE THIS CHAIR!!!! You did an amazing job! So creative, SOOOO crafty!
I love this chair and I am in the process of recovering some dining room chairs, may I ask what method you used for transfering the graphic you used? I am alwalys looking for transfer methods.
Love love love your blog!
I printed out the graphic (reversed image) on a laser printer, then used CitraSolv concentrate to transfer it to the fabric. I’d recommend practicing on some scrap material first to get a feel for it. Here is one project where I go into more detail: http://plumdoodles.com/2012/03/05/how-to-make-your-own-bulletin-board/
Let me know if you have any more question, I’d be glad to help. 🙂
Oh that is amazing, thanks for stopping by my blog, I’ve been going through your creations, I’m dying slightly more now that I see your beautiful projects, I have a rocking chair but I could never pull this off Mel
I found this post by accident whilst looking at fabrics, and in the comments, I clicked on a link that brought me here. Extra bonus, as the purpose of my looking at fabrics was to find something nice to give my faithful old rocking chair a rebirth.
I think I’ve found the fabric I wanted but this extra click has given me further inspiration as I never thought of a pleated skirt for it. It’s a more modern design than these featured here with a steel rocking mechanism and was possibly the most comfortable chair I’ve ever owned, hence the wish to give it a rebirth.
Some may say the pleated skirt is not in keeping with the style of my chair but I don’t know so much, I think it may well work. So it just goes to show that great ideas come almost by accident and I really like the idea of a pleated skirt for it in keeping with its style or not I will simple make it work.
I wont pretend I am going to re-upholster it myself, I will go to an expert for that but will certainly show him this post to give him an idea of what I want. I’m grateful for the unexpected inspiration.
I love the chair in it’s new look! Great job!
this is gorgeous! the piping in black is just the perfect touch!
Seriously Sheila, who would know that was even remotely the same chair? Not me..that is gorgeous. I love the pillow too. thanks so much for sharing.
WOW, wow, wow!! This is so beautiful!! Great job!! Visiting from Southern Hospitality!
Wow you did a wonderful job on it!
I have always shied away from upholstering because I have no clue how to put it together!
I love the transfer on the fabric- wonderful job!
Oh.My.Gosh.
This is gorgeous!
What a fantastic job and I love the pleated skirt. Perfect.
Also, thanks for the “shoulda done this” tip about the spot around the spindle. I wouldn’t have thought of sewing an insert, either.
Beautiful, Sheila! She may have fought you tooth and nail on this makeover, but it was definitely worth it when you see that outcome! Love the pleated skirt and the ribbon you added to that area. You’ve used one of my favorite graphics on the seat, too.
Now THIS is a make-over! Very stylish and I love the fabric and the skirt you made,great job……
This is the cutest rocking chair makeover I have ever seen! I love it! Sheila, you always amaze me! I would have never thought to paint it black and could have never made the pillow or ruffled seat! It’s is adorable! When I taught I always feel in love with the most difficult students! Huuum!