a few years ago, my neighbor gave me the pieces of a wood-framed arm chair and two random couch cushions covered in tan fabric with blue pineapple print.
all of the pieces got stashed in my basement. i was planning to put the chair together and reshape and recover the cushions . . . and then we were packing up to move . . . and we used the cushions to protect other furniture in the u-haul and left the wooden frame pieces in the basement.
this summer, ben and i took a trip back to the old place to pick up our piano (which we had not moved in january in the -30 F weather we were experiencing), and i decided to bring the pieces of the chair with if we had room in the truck. there was room!
a few weeks ago, ben and isaac put the chair together for me! ben and i bought a few random bits, ben cut a few pieces of wood, we stained a couple pieces to match, ben ripped out the old spring bottom and replaced it with plywood, we removed the chipped wooden castors and replaced them with self-leveling chair feet, isaac helped screw some pieces together, and ben ground off the screw that was too long . . .
once we brought the chair inside, i cut the cushions to fit.
two days ago, i invited my friend ashley to come help me start cushion covers. i knew that if i had someone to talk to while i cut the fabric and got started that i would stick with it and finish. so, on tuesday afternoon, we started the cutting. we also laughed about a shared history of working on sewing projects late into the night. this project didn't seem like it would take more than an hour or two, so i was certain that i would have it done by late afternoon.
after ashley left, it was so nice outside, that i decided to take a walk. then i ended up running my kids here and there and making supper and resetting the guest room. at some point in there, i finished the cutting and tidied away the excess. i set up my sewing machine and in the evening and miracle of miracles, i had left it threaded! even better, the thread never broke, the tension stayed consistent, everything went smoothly, and by midnight, i had the covers on the cushions and the cushions on the chair.
and now, i have a cozy little spot to sit and read or chat or drink coffee. i do know one thing - i'll be on the lookout for a little footstool to go with my chair. (preferably one i don't have to recover . . . )