Sewing Chair Redo

I bought this chair from a local thrift store almost five years ago for $5.00. It was an attempt to solve a seating crisis for our growing family, as we had only four dining chairs at the time, with a fifth family member on his way.

As time passed we inherited a larger dining set from family and a couple Cosco stools. My not-so-pretty thrift store chair migrated to the craft desk where it became the perfect sewing seat. Set at an angle to my machine, it offered an easy dismount from either side when I was needed by little boys. The wide, cushioned seat made long sewing sessions easier to bear.

Back in June I decided the old girl needed a face lift. Yes, this post is a bit delayed....

I unscrewed the upholstered seat and replaced the dusty hunter green fabric with cream and aqua chevron duck cloth (purchased at Hobby Lobby) to match the sewing machine cover I made. I laid the seat over the fabric, pulled it up over the bottom of the seat, and stapled it in place. I then trimmed the excess fabric off.

I took the frame of the chair out to the garage and sanded it down so that every surface was rough. After wiping the sanding dust off, I gave it about three coats of Krylon satin finish spray paint in cream. I hit all the sharp edges and likely places of wear with the sander again to distress it. It feels counterproductive at times, but distressed furniture gives me peace of soul. Its inevitable that my boys will have a hand at distressing it anyway...and I'd have a heart attack seeing perfectly smooth, unblemished furniture get nicked and scratched beyond recognition.

Yes, I've questioned my choice of light finishes...especially as the chair has already been attacked by BBQ sauce, dill relish, spaghetti (pizza?) sauce, and chocolate fingerprints. Thankfully the worst has wiped off so far. It'll probably be due for another makeover in a few years!