A cushion for our chair
February 12, 2012
When we redid our kitchen in the spring of 2010, we also redid the mudroom which is down the stairs from our eating area. We put in wainscotting, a new tile floor, cubbies for jackets and shoes, and new treads for the stairs. To make it all work the way we wanted, we had to give up a small built-in bench. I wasn't really sad about that as the bench really was used more for throwing random stuff on and no one ever sat on it. But I also knew that it would be nice to have a place to sit and put on shoes so I started searching craigslist for a schoolhouse or windsor chair. I hit the jackpot towards the end of our project and scooped this one up for $15. A few coats of spray paint later, I had a cheery, red chair.
One of the household projects on my to-do list for 2012 was sewing a cushion for this chair. Sure, it was cute and bright, but it wasn't the most comfortable chair. I had a hard time deciding on what I wanted the cushion to look like. One of the major concerns was that we have an outdoor rug in this space that doesn't have any red in it. While searching the sewing room for something else entirely, I came across this fabric that I bought a few years ago with the family room or kitchen in mind. When I realized it had green, brown, blue and red, I knew this was the fabric for my chair!
I had everything else I needed on hand. I covered plain cording with the navy polka dot fabric (tutorial here) and used 2" high density foam covered with a layer of low-loft polyester batting. The cushion has a lapped zipper in back (tutorial here) and ties to the chair.
Now that this is finished, only one of my five household sewing projects for 2012 remains. Dang. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't surprised by this. It may appear as if I have given up my procrastinating ways, but I don't think that is the case. For me, just saying that I was going to do these things gave me a clear path as to what to tackle project-wise. I've pretty much just put my head down and made them happen. Bonus: I saved the easiest one for last.
i am so impressed that you've gotten so many practical house projects done in the last six weeks! i seriously need to get on that. maybe i should start with a list of a few priorities. yeah, i suppose that might be a good place to start :)
Posted by: julia | February 12, 2012 at 06:53 PM
That's super cute!
Posted by: Kathy | February 12, 2012 at 07:32 PM
That looks amazing! Check off the old list!
Posted by: Annalia | February 12, 2012 at 09:08 PM
Ah, it feels so good to cross things off the list. And that cushion looks perfect!
Posted by: kristin | February 12, 2012 at 11:01 PM
Wow. Impressive work on your list. And I love your chair. I have that chair. Now I think it needs to be red!
Posted by: Lise | February 12, 2012 at 11:06 PM
Love it! Red is such a great color, clever piping, not sure I could master that!
Posted by: Julie | February 13, 2012 at 08:01 AM
gorgeous cushion, and I love your blog header too, Happy Valentine's Day for you and yours.
Posted by: Andrea | February 13, 2012 at 08:44 AM
Very nice. The colors work so well for an entry. A zipper and piping - WOW
Posted by: Heather | February 13, 2012 at 08:45 AM
The chair and cushion look great! I bet it makes you smile everytime you come in the house.
Posted by: Dana | February 13, 2012 at 12:17 PM
What a wonderfully cheery chair! You're one project finishing lady!
Posted by: kristyn | February 13, 2012 at 02:21 PM
This is so darling. I LOVE the cording. You have been in my reader for some time, but I didn't know you were anywhere near me until I just read your comment at Anna Maria's page. If you're near her, you must be near me. :-) Hello, neighbor.
Posted by: Jenny | February 13, 2012 at 03:01 PM
Well, I'm not in the same town as Anna Maria, but it's a relatively easy drive. :)
Posted by: Erin | house on hill road | February 13, 2012 at 03:56 PM
Awesome cushion and totally wonderful fabric. I need a cushion similar to this one for one of my living room area chairs. I will pin this and put that project on my list. Right behind the martini coasters....gotta love a good friend with an embroidery machine....
Posted by: Water Works | February 14, 2012 at 09:21 PM
that looks really neat!
Posted by: review | February 15, 2012 at 02:51 AM
inspiring.
Posted by: mary ellen peterson | February 15, 2012 at 04:09 PM
Those flowers make me happy!
Posted by: Suzanne | February 16, 2012 at 02:14 PM
LOVE it, erin! that red chair is making me swoon a little bit, too.
Posted by: amandajean | February 28, 2012 at 03:55 PM
Just lovely! I like the whole thing: colors, polka dots, fabric. Love it
Posted by: WhisperingOak | March 02, 2012 at 09:29 PM