With my creative journey I have a huge list of sewing projects that I need to get done. From finishing some vests, making pants into shorts, sewing windows on a tent, making Jedi robes, a couple tops for me, finishing a lampshade, and re-upholstering some chairs yesterday I chose to work on the chairs.

Since the chairs are going to be outside, we chose fabric that is okay to be outside. One pattern was red and has a diamond shape on it that repeats. Another was teal and has a large shape on it and the color fades from dark to light teal. The final one is a weird blue, almost robin egg, then has coral on it.

After making the bottom seat piece for each the decision was made that the red one was too busy and the other one was too big of a pattern. My husband and I were drawn to the coral one, but wasn’t sure about it. It looks really good on the chair. So, now I get to go get more fabric, we bought enough for one chair (almost).

My arthritis is not allowing me to take the staples out of the old fabric. I get so far and loose the strength. I don’t want to wear my compression gloves in-case I slip. I know that sounds weird, but, I don’t want any extra holes in my gloves.

Upholstery is something I would say is in my blood. My grandfather went to school for it. I have his final exam tapestry hanging in my room. At least I’m told that is where it came from. I know my grandmother, for-mentioned grandfather’s wife, would redo the chairs and a stool, if memory serves, all the time. She liked doing it. So, I always think of her when I am doing anything with furniture. I never met my grandfather, he passed when my mom was 2 from tuberculosis. Didn’t mean to go all sad.

Outside of picking fabric, I don’t find re-upholstering very creative. Even though you have to make the pattern from the old piece, It isn’t very challenging. I realize that comes off as arrogant, that’s not what I’m saying. It has it’s challenges for sure. I even bought myself some seamstress rulers. They help make a crisp line even for the curvy parts. I don’t know why I took me so long to buy a set. But, as for being creative, it doesn’t seem to help, it’s more tactile, which again, has it’s own challenges. Cutting and sewing the pattern pieces together are fairly straight forward. Pulling it over the foam is fairly uncomplicated. Stapling the fabric to the chair has me struggle more than I would like it to.

I didn’t buy enough fabric to finish all 5 chairs. I am unmotivated to go to the store and buy more. But, I do have the pattern all figured out. So, that’s a win. I will have to find another project to keep me busy. I could finish some little projects or finish cleaning/organizing the sewing room/my office.