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You are visiting: Home » Decorating/DIY » Create Your Decor » Adding Comfort to a Wooden Rocking Chair – Part Two

Adding Comfort to a Wooden Rocking Chair – Part Two

by Lindsay Ballard on April 26, 2010 36 Comments

Last week, I left you with my rocking chair half-way finished and a bit scary looking.

If you missed Part One, click on over and read that before you finish this post.  If not, carry on.

Adding Comfort to a Wooden Rocking Chair – Part Two

After adding the foam cushioning to my chair, it was time to slipcover it.  I’ll admit, I have never, ever made a slipcover before, and I was really scared.  I was certain that I’d totally screw it up.  Luckily, I studied Pink and Polka Dot’s Laziest Slipcover Ever tutorial, and it answered so many questions for me.  As my usual luck would have it, she released an e-book about two days AFTER I finished tucking, pinning, and sewing.  I haven’t read the e-book yet, but she’s so great that I would highly recommend it if you are working on a slipcover.  I’m sure it will help immensely!

I chose linen for my slipcover.  I know, I know…it wrinkles like crazy.  I have always loved the look and feel of linen, though, and a natural linen is the perfect color for my room.  I bought about 5 yards of fabric and had about a yard leftover.

I started my slip cover by draping fabric over the back of the chair down to the arms in the front and down past the seat on the back.  I pinned it along the sides of the back to start making my slipcover shape.  I made the mistake at first of trying to make it too fitted, but then I remembered it was supposed to be loosey goosey.

Then, I cut a piece of fabric that fit the seat and pinned it to the piece that I had already fitted to the back of the chair.  I really didn’t want to have a seam at that location, but I couldn’t figure out how else to put it together due to the shape of the chair.

I then cut two pieces for the arms.  I pinned each one to the piece of seat fabric, to the big piece that covers the back of the chair, and in front of the arm pieces.

Then, following Pink’s direction, I basted the entire chair by hand, removing the pins as I went along.  She suggested it would be easier to sew on a machine without pins sticking you, and I think she was right about that.  I sewed it together on my machine and made sure it fit on the chair.  It did!

I trimmed the skirt so that it was the same length all around – just barely skimming the bottom of the seat.  I then added a 4-inch ruffle around the bottom.  I also painted white just the part of the chair that is visible from under the slipcover.  Yes, I’m that lazy – I only panted about 1/3 of the chair.

It’s definitely not perfect – far from it, actually!  But, do you know who’s not going to care?  Sweet Baby Emma.  🙂  It is now so comfy and wonderful to sit in.  I can’t wait to just sit and rock my baby girl (and her big brother, if he will still let me).

I’m adding this post to Kimba’s DIY Day, Gina’s Transformation Thursday, Kim’s I Made It! Party, and Traci’s Best DIY Projects of April Party.  Man, do I know how to party or what?

About Lindsay Ballard

Lindsay Ballard is a former college mascot turned political geek turned roller derby playing, DIY fanatic.

Lindsay chronicles her projects, design ideas, and lifestyle tips here at Makely, where she shares tutorials and inspiration. Her DIY designs are bold and graphic, while her spirit is fun and full of color.

Lindsay lives outside of Austin, Texas with her husband (Tom), children (Zack and Emma), and dogs (Duke and Jill). She plays roller derby for the Rockin' City Rollergirls out of Round Rock, Texas.

« Adding Comfort to a Wooden Rocking Chair – Part One
The Great Fabric De-Stash: A Primer »

Comments

  1. Sara says

    April 26, 2010 at 4:37 am

    Ohmygoodness! That’s just the cutest thing!

    Reply
  2. Jen @ Notes From the Heartland says

    April 26, 2010 at 5:00 am

    Your rocking chair turned out perfectly! The linen is just right for the loosey goosey slipcover and the little ruffled skirt…swooning!!! 🙂

    Reply
  3. Sandy says

    April 26, 2010 at 5:02 am

    Toooo cute, I love it!!!
    Sandy

    Reply
  4. Southern Gal says

    April 26, 2010 at 6:11 am

    Love it!

    Reply
  5. Emily@remodelingthislife says

    April 26, 2010 at 6:39 am

    It’s beautiful! I love it!!

    Reply
  6. Sandy says

    April 26, 2010 at 7:07 am

    Emma will love it! Is there any better feeling than rocking a sweet sleepy baby?! I know I love rocking my grandbaby in our rocker! It’s the little things that warm the heart.

    Reply
  7. carolyn says

    April 26, 2010 at 8:43 am

    What a beautiful chair. That was a great idea adding the padding and the linen looks just right (I’m swooning over the skirt too).

    Reply
  8. Angie @ The Country Chic Cottage says

    April 26, 2010 at 9:04 am

    I think it looks great Lindsay!!! Nice job!!

    Reply
  9. Laura Ingalls Gunn says

    April 26, 2010 at 9:09 am

    Oh your sweet slipcover is just perfect!

    Reply
  10. Pam Fitz says

    April 26, 2010 at 9:09 am

    Great job, Linsay! That turned out so precious! You know how I love slipcovers!

    I got my book page tassel in the mail on Saturday and it is just beautiful! Thanks so much! I’m going to post about it shortly…

    Thanks again!
    Pam

    Reply
  11. Katie@impatientlyprayingforpatience says

    April 26, 2010 at 9:45 am

    I would have never thought of that!!! Such a cute idea

    Reply
  12. Brittney says

    April 26, 2010 at 11:48 am

    That looks so great Lindsay! I love the ruffle!

    Reply
  13. Jen says

    April 26, 2010 at 12:39 pm

    OH MY GOODNESS!!

    I am so blown away! I love it soooo much! I want that chair with the slip cover you made. You are so talented! And you didnt even use your glue gun…

    the ruffle is my favorite part…
    Jen

    Reply
  14. Nadir@Hodgepodge says

    April 26, 2010 at 12:47 pm

    Lindsay, this is just so beautiful & simple! I loooooooove it!

    Reply
  15. L.Duncan says

    April 26, 2010 at 1:09 pm

    Oh my! It is perfect! I have’nt been over in a while (I promise to catch up), and I see that you’ve chosen the name Emma! I love Emma. I said if I ever had a girl, her name would be Emma Leigh.

    Oh I can’t wait to “meet” her! Take care, hun!

    Reply
  16. Mott @ The Courtyard Gate says

    April 26, 2010 at 2:10 pm

    That is just perfect! I love everything about it and you did a wonderful job. I have about a gazillion slipcovering books but actually have never gotten up the nerve to try it. Don’t ask me why–I guess I’m just overwhelmed with the idea. But you do make it sound so simple. Just maybe…

    Reply
  17. Brenna says

    April 26, 2010 at 3:48 pm

    That chair turned out so pretty. I’m inspired! I have a chair to cover I think I may just paint the bottom too!

    Reply
  18. Jess @ Frugal with a Flourish says

    April 26, 2010 at 8:18 pm

    Love it! I am all about the lazy painting – if you aren’t going to see it there is just no sense!! I can’t wait to go check out that ebook!

    Reply
  19. Baby Bedding says

    April 27, 2010 at 7:46 am

    The linen is just right for the loosey goosey slipcover and the little ruffled skirt…swooning!!!I guess I’m just overwhelmed with the idea. But you do make it sound so simple

    Reply
  20. the BLAH BLAH BLAHger says

    April 27, 2010 at 12:22 pm

    Adorable! I just love the way it turned out, Linds!

    Reply
  21. Mary Beth @ Live.Laugh.MakeSomething says

    April 27, 2010 at 1:06 pm

    so sweet and charming!

    Reply
  22. Tracey says

    April 27, 2010 at 2:03 pm

    Who thinks of this kind of stuff–padding a rocking chair???? You amaze me Lindsay and I love the ruffle! Great job.

    Reply
  23. Kim @ Everything Etsy says

    April 28, 2010 at 9:16 pm

    Wow! What a big project and it looks great! I don’t know if I could do it. I’m sure you’ll spend a ton of time in it! 🙂

    ~Kim

    Reply
  24. Miss Mustard Seed says

    April 29, 2010 at 9:18 pm

    I absolutely love the relaxed look of this slipcover. I know you pointed out it was far from perfect, but I think it looks wonderful. It has a very…historic feel to it. Like a chair you would see sitting in front of a large hearth opposite a wing chair. Anyway…I love it.

    Reply
  25. Roberta says

    April 30, 2010 at 11:13 am

    I think your chair came out perfectly, imperfect. I’d love to feature your link on my WABI SABI saturday if that is okay with you 😀
    http://con-tain-it.typepad.com/bobis_business_of_bliss_i/

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      April 30, 2010 at 5:21 pm

      Of course you may! I’d be honored. 🙂

      Reply
      • Roberta says

        April 30, 2010 at 8:23 pm

        Thanks Lindsay…so appreciate it!
        Fondly, Roberta

        Reply
      • Roberta says

        May 1, 2010 at 4:41 pm

        Hey Lindsay…here’s my post linking your post 😀
        Happy WABI SABI Saturday, fondly, Roberta
        http://con-tain-it.typepad.com/bobis_business_of_bliss_i/2010/05/wabi-sabi-saturday-diy-perfectly-imperfect.html

        Reply
  26. Traci says

    April 30, 2010 at 1:08 pm

    Lindsay,
    That is so darling!! I love the way it turned out. It looks so cozy, and I know your baby girl will just love the time she spends with you there. 🙂
    Thank you for linking up to my party.
    Blessings,
    Traci

    Reply
  27. kirstin says

    April 30, 2010 at 3:56 pm

    LOVE this… the ruffles are fabulous!
    We have a friday fun finds party… we’d love it if you’d link to this! 🙂

    Reply
  28. Pink and Polka Dot says

    May 17, 2010 at 8:38 am

    lindsay,
    this is the most adorable ruffly slipcover ever! i love how you cushioned the chair!

    Reply
  29. Story says

    February 10, 2012 at 6:49 pm

    I followed your excellent directions – and am now the proud owner of a slipcovered rocking chair. Mine didn’t come out as good as yours, but I’m kind of a novice. But you know who doesn’t care? MY sweet baby Veronica! 🙂

    (If anyone wants to see it, feel free to email me)

    Thanks for the awesome tutorial!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      February 11, 2012 at 8:28 am

      Awww, so sweet!

      Reply
  30. Story says

    February 10, 2012 at 6:49 pm

    oops – storygarvie@gmail.com 🙂

    Reply
  31. jessica @fourgenerationsoneroof says

    June 17, 2013 at 10:18 am

    I think this turned out great and I love your idea of adding some foam for comfort. I have a rocker I could totally do this to! 🙂

    Reply
  32. Sudarto says

    September 22, 2014 at 9:24 am

    What you done is best idea. I am happy to read and try it so that we will get new experience on making the comfort chair. Thank you.

    Reply

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About Makely

Lindsay Ballard is a former college mascot turned political geek turned roller derby playing, DIY fanatic.

Lindsay chronicles her projects, design ideas, and lifestyle tips here at Makely, where she shares tutorials and inspiration. Her DIY designs are bold and graphic, while her spirit is fun and full of color.

Lindsay lives outside of Austin, Texas with her husband (Tom), children (Zack and Emma), and dogs (Duke and Jill). She plays roller derby for the Rockin' City Rollergirls out of Round Rock, Texas.


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