Ugly Chairs and Afghan to Awesome Chairs, Cushions and Scarf!

[bookwyrmhole]

This is a rather wordy and pic-heavy explanation, so feel free to skip to the end.

I went to the local thrift store on Saturday with my mom in search of a b-day present for my brother hoping to stumble across something ugly. My brother hated what we got him, but I did get lucky!

Browsing the furniture section I ran into (literally, I almost tripped!) a stack of very ugly wire chairs. Dirty, rusty, white metal-covered plastic. Gross. I sat in one on a whim, and was surprised to discover that it was very comfortable. So, I found the two most structurally sound chairs (I couldn't buy all six, we have too much furniture as it is) and claimed them. Two chairs, half price: $3.99



I meandered on over to the linens section, because I get all my fabric there. And came across ugly item number 2. A beige afghan with the giant words "Morrison Homes" plastered over it. I don't know where it came from, but the purple on the back was cool, and I sort of liked the flourishy-things on the corners. One brand new, ugly afghan, half price: $3.50.





I had to leave at that point, because I had too much already. (Also picked up some blue plaid wool and a silk tie, but they're really not relevant.)

I had to abandon the project until Friday because of my Calculus final, which sucked. I came home on Friday and stole some ugly green pillows that we used to have in our living room until they got stained by the dogs. Stuffing for cushions: $0.




I made them a little smaller so they'd fit better, and then started to cover them. I cut rectangles out of each of the corners the right size to cover my pillows, making sure to include the design.



I wanted to have fringe on all four sides of the cushions, because fringe makes everything awesome. Sewed up a cushion quick, and then remembered that I had chairs to paint.


 
I wanted the chairs to be black, so I broke out some black rust-proof paint I had from something and went at the chairs with a brush. Well, that didn't work, the paint just ran off. So I ran to the store and picked up some spray paint. That worked better, but then I ran out of paint and had to run to the store again to get more. But, I got them painted and am quite pleased. Two cans of spray paint: $5.20.



In the midst of painting the chairs I whipped out the other seat cushion while I listened to the state championship football game since my school was playing. They won, so I had to move on.

Decided I wanted cushions for the backs of the chairs, so I made some up with more afghan and some batting.



At this point I didn't have much afghan left, but I decided I had to use the ugly words for something. Sewed the center section into a scarf, which is very warm and cozy.



Now I really don't have much afghan left at all. Any suggestions for those last two pieces?



On to the real attraction, the after pictures. My awesome chairs with cushions. Don't really know what I'll use them for, but I will take them to college with me next year. I used velcro for the top cushions but didn't put any ties on the bottom ones so I can also use them as pillows. Total project cost: $12.70. Finding the useful silver lining in something ugly: Priceless.



I really enjoyed this challenge, this is the first project I've finished in a while and also my first challenge. If anyone wants more pics, including in progress, let me know because I have lots. Comments, constructive criticism welcome.

[SkyyAngel]

These are so pretty. And now you have me wanting a Morrison Homes afghan too... lol. I love all the thinking outside the box too. Good job!

[roccstarr75]

Pretty clever, I just have one suggestion.  You may want to rethink using these as pillows in the future...people fart on chair cushions...


HAHAHAAAAA!! Sorry I couldn't help myself

[nataluna]

1) the OCD in me hopes you washed the pillows between dog use and chair cushions.

2) i like the purpleness of this project, and the corner things that you liked.

3) and the scarf.
i think you should use the leftover bits to make pockets on the scarf, because i just saw an article (was it at craft magazine blog? or here?  or instructables? or another tutorials site?) about making a CARGO SCARF and i thought that was cool.

ETA: (4) wrist warmers would be nice, too.

[manycrafter]

About the calculus final--I learned calculus, and lots of even more advanced math, too, but I started sewing when I was 6 and by the time I was 12 was making all my own clothing. Now, guess which has come in more useful in my lifetime (I'm 54 now)? Granted, the math skills are what let me get high paying jobs so I could afford a serger, sewing machines, fabrics and all the other fun stuff. But even in scientific jobs, I have probably used calculus, um, maybe 5 times total in 30 plus years? Keep on learning math but if you don't quite do as well as you hope on any one calculus test, don't sweat it--if your life turns out anything like mine, your sewing skills will help you do things you love to do, and your math skills will give you entry into places that you wouldn't get into otherwise, like fun science research jobs.

Anyway, great job on this project! I love the way you thought it through, made it happen and came out with such a great final product!

[bookwyrmhole]

Thanks for all the positive comments! The pillows have been washed, but the stains wouldn't come out. The purple is originally what caught my eye, I have a LOT of purple stuff.

The calculus final actually wasn't all that bad, because it was take-home, but it took 8 hours or so. And my teacher wasn't that great, being a community college. But I love that I'm a senior in high school and only need one more semester of math to get an engineering degree at my college of choice. You can be sure that I will be taking my sewing machine with me! Concrete canoes will be followed by recons!

[nataluna]

And my teacher wasn't that great, being a community college.

ouch!

[bookwyrmhole]

I have nothing against community colleges. In fact, I love them because I have gotten almost two years of school out of the way because of them. But the school had to hire a part-time teacher for this specific class. His original degree was engineering, so he really doesn't know how to teach. He's also been out of the workforce for more than ten years. I passed the class though, so all is well.

Math is so useful in sewing!

[kartiana]

This makes me so happy! I LOVE afghans and have to keep myself from buying them every time I'm at a thrift store. I'm a texture girl and afghans are the best! You have inspired me to make my own afghan scarf  and maybe some throw pillows too!

For the scraps: Maybe you could make arm cushions for the chairs? Not sure how that'd work, but its an idea anyway. Or maybe a rectangular throw pillow?

[rbeforee]

Very cool with the asymmetry.

I look at those scraps and think wine/water bottle (gift) bag. I dunno if the pieces are big enough, but the fringe would look cute folded down perhaps? I just realized you are very likely under 21, so let's go with water bottle tote