Two-seater yard swing remade?

[CarolAnn]

Three years ago I got a deal on a two-seater yard swing at Walmart - I think it was $59 at the end of the season & it was a cute little thing, well made & had a sun shade or canopy.

However, I didn't take it in in the winter time & two winters killed the canopy - and last winter finished off the swing. I kept the frame, though, and still have the cloth pieces to use as a pattern for new ones. I've seen two more swing frames on the curb for garbage day pick up since mine rotted, so it's a common problem. There aren't replacements to be found anywhere!

Then last year I found (again at Walmart, right before they closed their fabric department!) some plasticized awning material in sunshine yellow, not quite 5 yards for $4 a yard.

Sooooo.... I have the need, the pattern and the fabric, but somehow, cutting into this stuff is scaring the dickens out of me! I won't be able to get any more of that fabric and I'm scared I'll ruin it! I've got two questions:

1. Have you ever made something like this (& if so - do you have any tips)
and
2. Have you ever had a project you're afraid to start?! (What to do then?)

[GoodDaughter]

Many years ago I wanted to reupholster a small wing chair but didn't know how (still don't, really). I took that brown craft paper you can buy on a roll --I think it is either 24 or 36" wide--and cut it out and pinned it to the chair so I could make a pattern that would fit the chair with a minimum of seams. I was able to sort of tailor the pattern while it was pinned to the chair. Then I pinned the fabric to the paper, cut my fabric leaving 1/4" seam allowance & etc and made a very tight fitting slip cover for it. Turned out pretty well.

I currently have two lovely colonial-style wing chairs that have horrible fabric on them--like 1980's pastel floral print--and I want to do the same with them as I did the chair years ago. I have some awsome dark blue and ecru colored fabric in a medium sized check pattern. I figure I will get more craft paper and repeat what I did years ago.

I know what you mean about it being hard to cut into that much fabric. That's why I haven't used the blue and ecru check yet--chicken to get started on it I guess.

Would it be possible for you to either use the fabric that came off it, making sure all the seams are opened up, ironed flat etc, and cut from that? Could that fabric have shrunk any since it's been off the swing frame? If it shrunk, it wouldn't make an accurate copy on your yellow fabric. Do you think using some paper to make a pattern from would work?

When I do my chairs, it's going to have to be when I am really excited about doing it, otherwise I know myself well enough to predict that they won't turn out well. I have to be really fired up about something to have it come out well.

Hope your swing comes out nice. Please post pictures when you do it.

[CarolAnn]

Pictures - there's a great idea! I'll take some now so I have the "before". Maybe it'll help spur me on to the after! You're sure right about waiting until you're fired up for a project - I'm the same way. Guess the fire isn't hot enough yet because I'm still feeling chicken!

THe fabric is OK as far as shrinkage - I just cut it off the frame last weekend. The batting may even be OK, but the swing covering is rotten & has those darn earwig bugs in it from sitting wet. (I don't even want to think about what got into my sister's car when she helped me move it to the new place!!)

When I stuck my fingers into the opening where the bar goes through the back, I came out with last year's wasp nest - so it COULD have been a lot worse. It could have been a fresh one! Yeeks!

I have to let the thing de-bug in the sun for a few days until I can bring myself to handle it enough to use as a pattern!

[NCLee]

Quote:
1. Have you ever made something like this (& if so - do you have any tips)
and
2. Have you ever had a project you're afraid to start?! (What to do then?)

1. Yes. Over the years I've made quite a few different things where I use an old xyz to make a new one. A few times I've use an object, itself, to make a pattern. For example, made all the cushions and curtains for our past campers.

Lots of good advice in GD's post. Carefully taking the old parts apart is very important. If you don't have one, get a seam ripper. It can make a big difference, as a general rule, when taking things apart. (Sewing dept at WalMart has them. Only a dollar or so, if memory serves.)

If you need a heavier paper to cut the patterns, get a roll of builders' paper from Lowes. Don't consider that a one time expense, as you'll find a lot of different uses for it over time. (It's the paper often put down to protect new floors during construction.)

One option is to buy the cheapest fabric you can find - usually plain muslin - to make a prototype cover. That way you can make sure the pattern you made does fit. It'll let you discover if there's a quirk or problem area that needs to be worked out. When you make this, use long machine stitches, so you can take it apart, when you're done with it. You'll be able to use those muslin pieces for many other things -- make some dish towels, jelly strainer bags, line a colander when a recipe calls for it, etc. (So your investment in that fabric doesn't go to waste.)

When you take the old one apart, do note how it's stitched. You may need to add extra seam allowance to double stitch some seams in stress areas. If you can't tell for sure about the allowances, I'd go with at least a 1/2" allowance and possibly up to 3/4". You can always trim it back, if needed, later. It's usually better to have a little too much fabric than not enough. Don't ask me how I know that. :wink:

If your fabric is what I think it is, don't pin your pattern to the fabric. Instead use blue painter's tape to tape the two together. The pins from your pattern and from pinning seams together will leave visible holes when you've finshed making the items. You can test this in a waste area or scrap piece. If the pins don't leave holes, then ignore this suggestion.

2. Yes, far too often!! The worst one was when I had to cut a sink opening in a countertop and I could not get another matching piece if I made a mistake. It was for a triple bowl sink and it had to be an exact fit in order to get that sink situated.

Checked everything about a half dozen times. Took a deep breath before picking up a drill to put the hole in the counter for the jig saw. Felt like I was holding my breath from then until I dropped that sink in place. Big sigh of relief and a :yes2: when it was done.

Hope these thoughts help. Good luck! I'm looking forward to seeing the before and after.

Lee

PS: Keep that pattern. So, if you would like to or need to make another one in a few years, you've have it in your stash of "stuff" for future use.

[Mom5farmboys]

I had a thought about your projects and don't know if its do-able or not, but could you alter your sewing slightly to make the covers removable? So next winter you could bring them inside, to increase the life span of the fabric. Maybe some well placed velcro instead of a seam might work?

[CarolAnn]

Thanks all, for your input!

I feel like I might actually be girded up to give this thing a shot and I'm going to take all of the great suggestions you've provided, including saving the patterns & using velcro to make it easier to take off.

Actually, I think it'll be a combination of heavy duty hooks and velcro, as the swing gets a lot of stress where I sit and I want to make sure it doesn't unhitch and leave me with my knees in my ears & my rear on the ground, trapped in the frame. I can just picture THAT scenario all too well! But making provisions to remove the swing and canopy in the fall will help keep it from rotting so fast. I'm actually planning on a thin "sling" that won't have cushion batting like the original. I've got a couple of exterior chair cushions that I'll tie to it to make it comfy.

I had pictures of the "pretty snow on the swing" - which is silly - that's what kept it wet long enough to rot that durable fabric in the first place!