I’m so excited to show off today’s project to you! I think it’s maybe my favorite transformation project I’ve ever done. :)
For quite a while now I’ve been admiring cross-stitch chairs – I mean they’re just so darling with their wicker all decorated with pretty yarn and threads. And I’ve always meant to do a rocker, but I stumbled across this sad little chair in an antique store and I just knew we were meant to be together!
I had so much fun with this! And I will sort of explain what I did with the refinishing, but every chair is so different that you almost have to take each one and decide what will work best for it.
Also, in fair warning I took a bajillion pictures of my new cutie so you’ll have to bear with me here. :)
I knew I wanted to do something floral so I went hunting on Etsy for some vintage fabric. I found this gorgeous roses barkcloth at Groove Cloth and I knew it was perfect! If you’re not familiar with barkcloth, it’s a heavier woven fabric with an almost linen feel to it. After choosing the fabric I sketched out some cross stitch roses that would fit in my wicker and would coordinate with the fabric. I think they really compliment each other, don’t you?
Here’s a brief tutorial for you – feel free to email me with any questions you have about the process!
I started with this simple wooden chair – it didn’t even have a cushion. But she had awfully pretty arms and legs.
For the paint, I tried chalk paint powder for the first time! I used BB Frosch – it was super easy to use and it made the paint go on really easily. I used a clear wax as a finish and I LOVE the way it feels on the paint. It has an almost satiny feel to it.
I also distressed the paint just a little. I wanted it to feel vintage but not super distressed.
For the cross stitch, I used Hobby Lobby’s I Love This – Cotton Yarn for all the colors except the medium pink. I used two strands of yarn for each stitch and after creating the pattern, I stitched on the cane of the chair just like you would on fabric.
I overlapped the end of the yarn with stitches on the back side so there wouldn’t be knots or loose threads.
It was really easy to stitch up, it just took time to make sure everything was laying nicely.
I measured the space inside for the cushion and sewed up a cushion with white piping. For the inside I used foam wrapped with batting. I also added a bit of fleece to a piece of fabric for the front piece on the chair and stapled it in place.
It all took some time to do but I’m so happy with how it came out! I’ve gotten a bit territorial with it too.
This is Kato’s “I’m not allowed in this chair??” face. He’s obviously not thrilled.
Poor kitty.
Here’s a few more photos. Cause I can’t help myself.
You made it to the end of the photos – gold star to you! :) I’d love to know what you think of it!
Great chair…lucky you! I love the cross stitching! A few weeks ago Sis found a chest of drawers in good condition on the roadside. The sides were recessed the same width as foam board, so I cut two pieces for the sides and covered the foam boards with pretty fabric, then used monkey glue to glue them in place on the sides. I had painted the piece a pretty mint green, added pretty retro-looking knobs, and presto…great place to store my fat quarters in my sewing room!
What a pretty chair! I love the cross stitch on the caning. It reminds me of shabby chic-which I have always loved. Great job.
Bravo c’est tres joli. Beau talent en récup.
Renée
This is so awesome! It is so admirable to be able to take something used and worn and make it lovely. I would do something like that but the cushion with piping intimidates me. I haven’t made either!
Oh Bev, it turned out so absolutely beautiful! :) I am in love with it:) What a delight to wake up and see this beautiful chair in my inbox. I just recently found your blog and I’m so happy that I did. I just love all the beautiful things that you make. You are such an inspiration:)
Love it – absolutely fabulous. I would be territorial and not let my kitty on either.
Yay, Bev!!! I have been waiting for this reveal. It does not disappoint! The fabric is gorgeous and complements the cross-stitch so well. Beautiful job, my friend!!
Looks so pretty what a great transformation. You have done a wonderful job. The fabric is gorgeous. It’s so rewarding to bring something back to life.
I absolutely adore your chair! What a creative idea with the cross-stitch on the back! I would imagine this will be your conversation piece for years to come. Great job!
Oh my goodness, this is absolutely gorgeous. Love love love it. You have transformed this chair into a work of art. I wouldn’t let anyone on it either. LOL
It’s awesome!
I love this Bev! Turned out so great!
Well my age is really telling about this chair. Those old chairs are so great, they keep hanging in there waiting for somebody like you to come along to make them alive again. I don’t love it I love,love,love, love it to moon and back several times. Would sure love to find one of these chairs myself. You did perfect job rehabbing it.Thought the cushion came with chair. The embroidery of course is piece de resistance.Great job on cushion.
Glad you just distressed little bit to look kinda old. Some things are just not meant to be drastically distressed but that’s me talking. I’m just an old fuddy duddy, will be 75 next month, how did that happen?
Have noticed lately so many finding/using the bark cloth, glad it’s being appreciated again. Wonder why it’s not being made anymore, it’s great stuff and so pretty.
That look on your cat’s face is like ours, he thinks he owns the house. When I covered my club chair last summer with 4 of my vintage tablecloths he wasn’t allowed on chair and let me know he wasn’t happy about it one bit. Was going for shabby chic/beachy on chair and room.
Didn’t use table cloths for anything else but making pillow covers, table runners, curtains. I wanted new curtains for kitchen window and bathroom so went digging in cloths. We don’t have dining area in our single wide so use table cloths for other things. Had cloth with vintage kitchen tools on it so that one made great curtains for kitchen window. Used cloth with geraniums on it for our bathroom. Love using those old cloths for different things. Time for us to have supper so better get busy. Have great July 4th.
Hi Bev, Are you going to have another Blog Meet up in the Fall? I went to the first one in 2011.
I love all ideas that you think of. I like how color coordinated the books too (I’m switching my livingroom colors from beige, green, yellow and dark orange to red, aqua and pink).
The chair is just darling! I love that fabric and you did a great job with the cross stitching!
This is absolutely beautiful. Loved the “little bit” of distressing. Just the right touch. The fabric is beautiful and makes for a lovely piece. Great Job!!
Out of this world. The chair, the fabric the stich, genious!!.
Ummm, ok, this is SMASHING! And I mean that in the best possible way. I can’t tell you how much I seriously love this. Thank you so much for linking up at Snickerdoodle Sunday- hope to see your latest makes again this weekend!
Sarah (Sadie Seasongoods)
OMG! I love this chair! I’ve been seeing the cross-stitched chairs all over Pinterest and I love them! I’m also on a chair about the same size as yours for a corner of my house, I wish I could find one that I could try some cross-stitching on too!
Pinning!
Tania
Love the cross stitch what a great idea and love that it matches the fabric. Thanks for sharing
Found your post on Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop. Wow! My grandmother actually had furniture with the same floral design as the fabric you used here. Lovely! Pinned :)
What a great idea… such a beautiful chair from an old unappealing one. You truly have a one of a kind piece of furniture. :)
This is a great idea! What a change from the old, rundown way it looked before. Thanks for linking up at the #HomeMattersParty and I hope you’ll join in again next week!
It’s gorgeous! I’m not surprised you are territorial about it – it’s just so lovely!
What a clever idea. This is so pretty. Thanks for posting. Hello from Treasure Box Tuesday.
This is really a great makeover – I love this chair so much! Pinned. I will now be spending lots of time thinking about where I could put a similar piece of furniture and looking for one to restyle.
My daughter has a sofa and a chair like this. She thought of painting them, but changed her mind. I’m sending her this post! Beautiful.
A great renovation, the design stands out really well.
Beverly – Fabulous job with the makeover of that chair! Cross stitching caning… who knew? What a fun idea. First of all, thank you so much for buying the fabric and again for sharing your project with me! You are obviously very talented. Great job!
Ok, Bev, I’m going to be trying my first oversize cross stitch over the holiday weekend…so I might send you an SOS if I need help!! ;)
Love what you have done! Stunning- great find and great restoration. I have two dining cane back chairs that I want to d cross stich on and your tutorial is great- thanks
Never, my style is very eclectic.. May consist of a down comfy couch, antique wood armoire and long chest that was once where servants or later others had stored linens etc. or so I have been told. 3 slide drawers are inside and roll out. Problem is that these drawers are 3 feet long. Also enjoy French tables and iron beds and have crosses all together with other things from my Catholic upbringing. I also have Frida poster board framed from a play done in France and other replicas of mixed chairs (yours is gorgeous and I want it!!!!) vintage linens, mix and match (or should I say unmatched) plates, bowls, delicate to heavy pottery. Also have Chinese wedding cabinet in red and a green mohair ottoman. I just found out about rustic early Chinese furniture, which I knew nothing about. Anyway.. Sorry to gab, but one of your chairs with fabric from 30 and 40s would be great. Everything I have gotten was a deal.. I think no one else wanted it because it would not match their decor! No problem for me. I can find a place for it. The only thing I am going to have a problem is the couch… I would love a vintage velvet, cool slip covered piece, someplace a friend can sleep comfortably. Everything, and I mean everything, is way too much moola. All my stuff I have gotten from junk shops, flea etc., even the street…!!!
How much are these colorful, beautiful treasures going to be sold for? If they are… I know you love it so and because of that, you must keep it. The first one is one you are proud of and your home should reflect that. Sorry for rambling. Thought you might have some projects or friends who would know about couches and chairs. A place to read, sit in my PJ’s watching movies, etc. I so so love your chair. Great job!!! Peace
Love this chair! You have such awesome ideas! We recently started following and just love all your projects. Great job!
Two words about your DIY Cross stitch chair…ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS!!! Thank you for sharing one of the most beautiful & unique DIY projects I’ve ever seen!
Are you willing to sell? I had decorated my daughters room with cross stitch roses, but she passed away as a newborn. I’d love this chair as a reminder of her beauty.