6/14/10

My Red Rocker

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I snagged this rocking chair off of craigslist for $15.00. I couldn't wait to get it home and turn it into something I LOVED! I've wanted a bentwood rocking chair since elementary school, our librarian had one and I always thought all the curves in it were so cool! I've hesitated to get one because even though the curves are cool, the colors aren't. Then I saw this post on Peppertowne
and couldn't resist!!!
•••

What I Used:
•one yard of fabric (I used Heather Bailey Pop Daisy in Red)
•5/8 yard of coordinating fabric for backing and bottom of chair
•chair padding (most fabric stores sell this)
•sand paper or a sander
•spray paint (I used krylon gloss, cherry red)
•staple gun (surprisingly cheap)
•tacky glue
•liquid nails glue (I used the "for small projects" kind)

What I Did:
  • First, I had to pry off the seat cushions, they were just glued onto a small rim (really well) so I used a flat head screwdriver and shoved it between the seat and the chair until it came free. Then, I tore off all that horrendous fabric!


  • The chair didn't have a ton of cushion left, so I added to it. I traced the wood base of the seats onto the foam and cut it out. Tip: While you have the wood base free, trace the shape onto your backing fabric and cut it out (I saved this for last and was sorry!)



  • I laid the fabric face down, and put the new cushiony seat on top. I stapled the top, pulled really tight, then stapled the bottom. Then I put a staple on the left and right, making sure it was pulled tight on all sides.


  • I stapled my way around the seat, pulling tight all along the way. When I got to the corners, I would grab a fist of fabric and pull it all while I stapled, to reduce puckering. For me, I needed another pair of hands for the stapling, I think it's doable by yourself, but much easier with some help! Once I had the fabric stapled on, I cut off the excess fabric


  • Now I was ready to do the backing. I squirt some Tacky Glue on the wood and smoothed it out with a foam paint brush (I ended up using a lot more than shown in the picture) then I put the backing fabric on top and smoothed it out.

  • I put a border of glue all around the edges and smoothed that down too.

And the cushions are done!


Once I was done with the cushions, I sanded and spray painted the base of the chair. I used a power sander on some spots, but hand-sanded the intricate spots.



And then I painted it and let it dry overnight:


(I found I needed quite a few coats of paint to get a really glossy, smooth finish.)

I glued on the seats using liquid nails. I just put a strip all along the rim of the seats and carefully put the cushions on. I did them one at a time, giving 30 minutes between to dry. FYI: This glue does not dry clear, so be careful where you get it. If you do accidentally get it on something, it wipes off easily with water before it dries.



After about 1hr total dry time, it's ready to go!




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32 comments:

Emma @ Outmumbered said...

Wow! It is beautiful!!

Anonymous said...

LOVE it!

Terri said...

I am in love with this chair! Great job! I have always had a fear of reupholstering, your tutorial is helping me get over my fear!

Jenny said...

I love the fabric and the red. great job!

Amanda @ Healthy House on the Block said...

I love the bright colors! My parents have the same exact rocking chair -- and I've been dying to make it over for them! Thanks for the inspiration!

Unknown said...

Oh man that rocker is old. My mom had the same one when I was a kid! Great job! Love it!

Staci J said...

I LOVE it!! I'm so inspired! Thanks for sharing, visiting from justsewsassy.com

Anonymous said...

That looks great! I love the bright colors. Now I am hoping that the thrift store by me still has one that I saw there... hahaha!

Tara @ Tara Being Tara said...

I LOVE this!! My gramma is bringing me one of these rockers soon - can't wait to do what you did!

Mollie said...

Love it! You have a gift!

Amy K said...

What a fantastic job you did on this! Love it!

Terry said...

Your makeove is amazing! I'm sure everyone will be sitting on that chair before any other chair now!

Jeni G said...

Girl! I love your version of our chair. It's beautiful! Thanks for linking us up.Are you on the look out for a matching chair to make a set? They would be gorgeous on your porch. I'm thinking lemonade and rocking chairs!

amy said...

Thanks for the wonderful feature! Your chair turned out great, I have one of my own I'm redoing. After I saw Jen's I just had to have one.

Tricia said...

Love the rocker-such a modern twist. In my mind Heather Bailey can do no wrong so that fabric is a perfect choice. I have been eyeing rockers at all of our local thrift stores, but the sanding-aarghh...that is the only part that I dislike.

Thanks for sharing.

Tricia leafytreetopspot.blogspot.com

Josh and Tiff said...

seriously megan?! that's amazing! next time we're together, I will buy the supplies and you can help me with this :)

Infarrantly Creative said...

Holy heck I am in love. Color - WOW...Fabric Choice ---Shazzam! Red Spraypaint - Whoop! Whoop! LOVES IT!

Pati @ A Crafty Escape said...

Love it! Great job.

Stephanie Lynn @Under the Table and Dreaming said...

What a fabulous transformation! The red is stunning and the fabric is simply gorgeous! Fantastic job - love it! Hope you are enjoying your weekend! ~ Stephanie Lynn

Jessica said...

That's BEAUTIFUL!

Melissa said...

Gorgeous it all works together beautifully.

Stephanie Lynn @Under the Table and Dreaming said...

Again I love this! Fabulous job! Thanks so much for joining the Sunday Showcase Party! I greatly apprecite it. Hope you are enjoying your week. ~ Stephanie Lynn

Stephanie Lynn @Under the Table and Dreaming said...

Hi Megan, Just wanted to let you know I'll be featuring your rocker today! Stop by and grab a featured button if you like. Thanks so much for linking to the Sunday Showcase Party! ~ Stephanie Lynn

MeenyMoe said...

Just gorgeous! I have the exact same chair but didn't pick it up on sale on Craig's List. I bought it new 12 years ago when my son was born. He's been rocked a many of times in it. Its seen its better days!! Your before shot looks better than my chair now! LOL Anyway, hubby and I are adopting a baby in December and I thought of refurbishing my bentwood rocker. You have inspired me to give it a try! -Karen

Unknown said...

What a great job! I love your fabric choice too.

Unknown said...

What a great job! I love your fabric choice too.

Unknown said...

That looks fabulous! Ditto from everyone else on the color choice. Just love it.

Hancock said...

I want that chair! I look forward to following you and seeing more great projects

Nicole said...

Just saw this on Tatertots & Jello! So cute! I would have NEVER though to do that. Thanks for sharing!

Debbiedoos said...

Oh I love this, very fun color and fabric!

Unknown said...

That turned out great! I have a rocker just like that; I need to try this out. Thanks for the inspiration!

Mom B. said...

so cute!