Grace & Favor – A Life Worth Living

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Porch Rocker

The rocker on my back porch has had the same old cover on it that I made when I used it in the house which was several years ago, its done in barn reds and didn't go with anything on the porch.  Roll eyes here regarding projects that need to be finished.  I decided that yesterday was the day, I would make the new cushion for the rocker and some pillows to go with it.  I got up, did some things around the house and headed downstairs to get to work, filled with anticipation of finishing a project. I sat down to the machine only to discover that  I was out of white thread...yes you read it right, a person who sews all the time didn't have white thread.  Off to the fabric store I go to buy WHITE thread.


This is the rocker in question.  I picked it up locally at an estate sale several years ago .  It is an old piece of wicker, very strong and with all the springs still intact.


First was the base cushion, after seeing the picture I guess I should have taken the time to smooth the back of the cushion out before I took the picture, its a very odd concave back so its hard to fit.  All the cushions and pillows in this part of my porch are done in blues, yellows and white.  This geometric print was a pretty periwinkle blue and soft yellow, for the welting I used a floral print from the back cushion.


This chair needs a back cushion because of the concave back and the wicker backing, otherwise its a back killer.  I love this print and got it for $2 a yard on a sale rack at JoAnn's.  The welting is the same as on the seat cushion which is this fabric.


Next came a roll pillow in kind of a reverse of the back fabric.  I needed to add this to keep the back cushion which I made for comfort with the odd back from looking like a very wide men's Speedo.  Once again, rolling eyes.


This last pillow is just a basic button closure pillow, I love the contrast with the other patterns.  I also used button closures on the back of the seat cushion for a change.  No one can see it but I liked the look.


So here is the finished chair, I love all the patterns together, trying to step out of my comfort zone in regards to always using one print and one solid.  I'll be back in the basement tomorrow making more pillows for the wicker sofa.  Our 2 year old puppy decided to use all the pillows I had from last year's porch for chew toys.  We've since come to an understanding about the new pillows...at least I hope she understood my rantings.

Joining

26 comments:

Micupoftea said...

Miss Char, how charming! I LOVE the pattern mix, and the blues and white are a fav of mine too. SO crisp~
shawn

Cathy said...

Char, you are a talented seamstress. I love your fabric choices. Looks so inviting.

Babs said...

Miss Char, LOVE your rocker and the beautiful pillows. Great combination of patterns and pillow shapes. It looks like the perfect place to relax.
Babs

On Crooked Creek said...

Miss Char,
Oh how lovely! So cool and refreshing. . .I'll be right over to sip some lemonade with you dear!
Fondly,
Pat
P.S. I'll be sure to bring a hostess gift. More white thread for the sofa cushions! I can hardly wait!!!

Honey at 2805 said...

Your pillows are lovely and it's a great pattern mix!

Hope you will please drop by and enter my $50 Overstock.com Gift Card Giveaway!! If there are 500 entries, they will increase the Gift Card to $100.

Paula@SweetPea said...

I love the mix of pattern and color on your rocker. Sitting in it on your porch must be pure pleasure!

Debbie said...

I think it's just wonderful and LOVE the patterns that you used for it. The whole piece just looks perfect. I giggled about the white thread because that's the kind of thing that happens to me.

Jacqueline~Cabin and Cottage said...

I love the mix of fabrics too! Wonderful job. That is a wonderful wicker chair!

Unknown said...

Another Char-ming redo!!!! Let me just say, you'd plotz if you saw how I made throw pillows last weekend for my daughter's college sofa. PLOTZ!!!

Sherry @ No Minimalist Here said...

Char, The fabrics are wonderful and I love the mix of patterns. I adore vintage wicker and your rocker is fabulous. Thanks for linking to my party this week.
Hugs,
Sherry

Marlis said...

Char, what an amazing job.. The chair looks fabulous.Absolutely. I love your rolling eyes.. that's okay I've been without white thread before too. and that is a stinker in my book. Your combo looks great, fresh and new and inviting. Great job!
xox marlis

Shanda said...

I love it! You did a great job of mixing the fabrics!

Miss Kitty said...

I so admire anyone who adds welting to a project...it is just beautiful but I cannot handle to extra work (or getting it straight). I love your combination of fabrics and the comment about the "speedo" (oh my gosh, there are SO FEW men who look good in those...they should be embarrasing to the wearer and usually they ARE for the viewer).

lvroftiques said...

Wow! You did a great job! It was a wonderful chair to begin with but you gave it the perfect accoutrements *winks* ummm could you come to my house next? I can't sew to save my life and I'd really love to! Vanna

Karie said...

Hello, Your rocking chair looks wonderful. You did a fabulous job. I love the fabric you chose. Thanks for sharing. Karie

Sue said...

Love the shape of the back cushion, Char! And your choices of all the different pattern combinations are all just so pretty. I luv to mix patterns! :-) Sue

Rettabug said...

Wowzers, Lady....You WERE sewing up a storm! They all look spectacular on your rocker, but I'm especially fond of the shape you made the upper back. Really pretty & functional, too.

Regarding the destructive puppy: Get an empty Coke/Pepsi can & put some pennies in it. Every single time you see it doing something you don't want it to do, grab that can & rattle the dickens out of it. They don't like the noise & associate it with the behavior. My sis has a can of pennies in every room for quick discipline. Now her dog cowers whenever she even SEES a Coke can! LOL Hey, it works!

Hugs,
Rett

Ann from On Sutton Place said...

This is stunning! I am in love with the fabric combination. I am a fan of button closure pillows...I can't find my button hole attachment to my machine and haven't been able to make button holes for a really long time...I need to get that taken care of soon! Really wonderful post.

Susan said...

Ohhhhh, Miss Char, that looks lovely! Great job!

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog and commenting, too. Loved having you. Come by anytime. Susan

Stacey said...

Oh how pretty! I would love to rock in that chair.

Patricia Ann said...

I love your pillows! The patterns are a perfect compliment to each other. It looks so inviting!

Savannah Granny said...

Fantastic job well executed. Love the mix of patterns. So glad you gave it a shot. Hugs, Ginger :)

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Your pillows are gorgeous. I love the mix of fabrics and I love the shape of the back pillow. So much more interesting than just square or rectangular. Beautiful and it looks so comfortable. Hugs, Marty

At The Picket Fence said...

Everything looks so lovely and your fabrics make that chair just so inviting! Thanks for sharing this with us at Inspiration Friday!
Vanessa

{Bellamere Cottage} said...

What a great job you've done... and I hope your little Miss Puppy got the message... :-)

Warm blessings,
Spencer

Pinky at Designs by Pinky said...

I love this chair and LOVE the pillows you made. Love all the prints together! Sure wish I could sew! XO, Pinky