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Apr 2, 2012

Benchwarming

This weekend was filled with lots of little craft projects - it was too cold out to start on some of the bigger ones I want to work on.  Basically I spent the weekend gluing stuff to other stuff.

One medium-sized project I did complete was recovering the bench at the foot of our bed with sturdier fabric. 


It's just a standard bench with faux leather. We have it because, when Little Dog really was a little dog she couldn't get up on the bed by herself.  She'd just hang there with her front paws on the bed, waiting to be lifted.  Even though she's big enough now, she forgets most of the time and still likes to climb up and down using the bench. It's probably better for her joints anyway. 

Usually the climbing down is done at a high rate of speed, the bench is top-heavy, and it gets flipped over all the time.  We now have it tied to the bed to keep it in place (in case anyone thought those cords were for something else - and why are you thinking those things?) 


Also, when the bench would start to flip, the dogs would dig their nails in resulting in tiny (or not so tiny) rips in the fabric.



So it's not that aesthetically pleasing.  No one is hollering to feature this guy in their magazine spreads.


I bought some heavy grey flannel - the kind used to make suits - a few months ago.  It's so distinguished and preppy and sleek looking.  Not to mention soft to the touch.  And it cost about $19/yard so you can bet that I measured at least 6 times and drew out my plans 3 times before I went at it with scissors.


I decided to cover the bench using three pieces - one for the top and long sides, and one each for the ends.  I sewed a hem along each of the edges that would be stapled to the underside - to give a nice finished look. 


I then pinned the center of the end piece to the center of the short side of the top piece and worked out from there.  (Does that make sense?)



It wasn't easy curving the top material around to meet up with the short sides of the end pieces.  Next time I think I'll use five separate pieces for top and sides.

I enlisted Tom's help to staple the edges down.  We started by stapling the middle of each side, then the ends, and then filled in between. 


See that finished edge? Smooooooth.


Here is the finished product. 

 

It's pretty simple, but we haven't done any work to the bedroom so I want to keep my options open when choosing colours.  Right now the walls are a pale yellow with a faux stucco effect on the top half that I despise.



Sasha (not so little, right?) tested out the new bench for me this morning. 
She seems pleased. 


We have another bench downstairs that I'll also be covering with the same material.  It has a lid that opens though so that'll be a bigger challenge.  So glad I had this one to practice on first!


~~~~~~~

I'm linking up to these parties this week!

35 comments:

Courtenay H said...

Aw, Sasha! So cute! I just love her. Oh and your bench is pretty spiffy too!

Jessica said...

What a simple improvement with great impact! 
Thanks for sharing this on Mauvin' Monday! 

BarbSteadman said...

Thank you so much!

BarbSteadman said...

Ha! thanks!

Rose @ Walnut Acre said...

It looks wonderful!

Gina Cannary said...

Good job and great choice of fabric.  I have to talk to myself out loud as I'm cutting something - don't screw up, Gina, don't screw up...

Stephanie McGrew said...

stumbled onto your blog via the blog hop and just wanted to leave you a little blog luv! Def enjoyed this post!! new follower :-) 

http://infinitelifefitness.com
http://mscomposure.blogspot.com

Twilkerson100 said...

Saw this on Gingersnaps link party. You did a fantastic job!!! I have a small faux leather ottoman with the same problem. I'm gonna try to recover it, too.

Sarah Lashbrook said...

Nice job!  I love the finished hem on the underside.  It really does make things look more professional.

BarbSteadman said...

Thank you!

BarbSteadman said...

It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be!

Four Sisters said...

This came out great! I need to get a bench at the end of the bed for my little dog! Thanks so much for sharing at Beautify It Monday - We hope you'll come back next week!

BarbSteadman said...

One corner took 3 tries!

BarbSteadman said...

That's exactly how I felt!

BarbSteadman said...

Thank you!

2yellowbirdsdecor said...

What a great transformation! You did an awesome job!! Thanks so much for sharing this as well at Thursday's Temptation.
Jill

Ladies Holiday said...

Stopping by from Mom on a Time Out hop...I saw your pic and thought, gee, I have that problem (cats) and thought I would always have to live with it. Thank you for helping me fix a problem (and piece of furniture) I thought would eventually be put out for free on the side of the road. AWESOME!

Terry Cohoe said...

Woohoo, this is great.  We have a boy who can't get up on his own (old age, opposite problem you used to have) and this would be perfect for him.  I love how great this looks now and your babies probably love the good foothold.

Peggy said...

Wow! You did a beautiful job.  Thanks for sharing the tutorial.

Cari said...

Great job!!!  I love that your dog "approved"..LOL!!  Thanks for linking up at TwoSasters!!

Shantalle LSOTSAHM said...

Great job, I love the fabric!

BarbSteadman said...

Thank you!

BarbSteadman said...

Thanks!

Shiloh said...

I love that gray color!  You did a great job.  The corners look so crisp.

BarbSteadman said...

Thank you!

BarbSteadman said...

Sorry to hear about you old guy. They do love it.

BarbSteadman said...

Thanks! I'd love to see what you come up with.

BarbSteadman said...

Thank you!

Becolorful said...

Oh wow. This grey flannel has such a rich sophisticated look. I'm glad it got messed up because really, it is just so great now. Thanks for sharing you project on this week's BeColorful
pam

Katie goldsworthy said...

Great recover job! It's always so nice to have some new material on a well used piece of furniture! 

Thanks for linking!

--Katie
@ Creatively Living

Stacey said...

Looks great!  And dog proof as well!
I am so glad you came by to link up to the party at Embracing Change!Please come back this week again! I would love to have you there!Stacey of Embracing Change

Alexis Lohrke Tanner said...

Wow that looks great!  What a great way to save furniture.  Thanks for linking up to What I Learned Wednesday! 
 

BarbSteadman said...

Thank you!

BarbSteadman said...

Thank you!

BarbSteadman said...

Thank you!

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