Twins Mary and Charlotte were spotted in Alabama sporting the “You Can Recover” Mod Home Ec t-shirts.
One of them should have modeled the back side so you could get the full gist.
Well, you’ll just have to take one of my 3 Day Upholstery Bootcamps so you can get one of your very own.
Remember the gaping sewing table from yesterday?
First, I spray painted the entire table with primer and then shiny silver paint. Next, I glued the flip floppy top securely in place.
Here she is all dressed up in mirror tiles. Yep, all I did was go to Lowes, buy a pack of 12″ x 12″ mirror tiles and score, cut and glue ‘um on.
I figured out a simple pattern with paper, measured and drew lines on the mirrors with a Sharpie.
Next, I carefully scored the surface with a little glass cutting tool (read the directions!). After cutting glass, CAREFULLY rub the edges with a fine sandpaper, being careful not to cut your hand!!!!
Snap off excess mirror at the score lines and glue on to the surfaces you want to cover. I started with the top, let it dry, flipped the table on one side, then the next and then the front.
For a little pizazz-a-roony, I added one of my handmade vintage polymer/vintage earring knobs. What was once a big, brown box became a glittery, glammy bedroom side table.
Kate takes upholstery classes at my studio. She began collecting furniture to outfit her son’s apartment. Before she knew it, she had an entire garage full of living room furniture that needed updating. She decided to take upholstery classes to learn how to do it herself.
As classes progressed, she didn’t stop her Craigslist shopping for affordable Mid Century Modern pieces. Prices for this era of furniture are still very reasonable around these parts. In addition to finding great deals, she’s met some interesting and crazy furniture folks, a side benefit to thrifting and hunting for unique pieces.
The chair seat and back came out as separate upholstered pieces which made spray painting the cane frame as easy as pie.
The red fabric and black frame turned out clean, modern and perfect for a college student’s first pad.
Now let’s take a look at her first chair. She brought in this Martha Washington open armed side chair. She sharpened it up by painting the wood a glossy black. Surprisingly, the arms on these chairs can cause some frustration. It’s trickier than it looks to get the fabric tight, smooth and attached at the front and the back while keeping the design aligned. It was a learning experience and Kate gained some valuable upholstery savvy in the process. Now she’s unstoppable.
Years ago, a friend of mine explained an idea she had to block the cold air from pouring in through the fireplace, as well as keeping the warm air from escaping up through the flue. Her idea didn’t really grab me at the time. Then a few weeks ago, I received photos of a fireplace stopper created by a reader of my weekly newspaper column. This, I had to try. It worked perfectly.
See exactly how to make this easy Fireplace Cold Air Stopper here in my DIY Journal right here (images) and here (tutorial).
DO NOT USE THIS WHEN YOU HAVE A FIRE IN THE FIREPLACE!
Please excuse me for reposting a photo of my beloved studio space, but I had to show off my emerging Photoshopping skills.
After the first two weeks in my new studio, I’m happy to report full classes with two more scheduled to start in the next couple of weeks.
What is it about working with your hands, talking, and creating that is so much fun?
I’ve discussed it with my east coast upholstery class consultant and blogger, Gina, from A Temporary Nest, and we agreed that we need a FB group for upholstery students. We came up with The Upholstery Playground.
This is the precursor to our FB group. Enjoy The Upholstery Playground’s first photos.
Here’s Kristy. Look at that punam!
Beth came prepared to tear down her antique sofa. Hazardous materials fly out of old furniture.
Shnowa is finishing the new webbing while Professor Harris contemplates his fabric pieces.
OK, before the move, but look at the girls, Kate and Peggy, so busy gabbing, they don’t even know I’m photographing them.
Val is a tough customer. Do Not Disturb. (She sewed the inside back perfectly.)
Stay tuned. I’ll try not to overdo the class photos, but I LOVE watching people working and having fun at the same time.
First off, one of my local buddies, Lesley of The DesignFile blog, was kind enough to post about my new schedule of classes and workshops due to start January 15th in my roomy new studio. She’s so generous with her blogging, I am grateful to have friends like her. As for press, it’s hard for me to know how to toot my own horn without sounding like I’m so full of myself. Make no mistake, I love what I do and am grateful for any and all recognition of my projects and business, but I do realize it’s a miniscule part of an enormous world. I will continue to work hard to make my small contribution of ideas and instructions the best that I can, hopefully reaching someone who is looking for it.
On to press. Last year, I was featured in More Magazine’s ongoing series called “Second Acts”. The focus was The Power of Micro Change. I was only one of six women interviewed and I am on the lower end of monetary reward. Anyway, this week I was contacted by a writer for More to set up a followup interview for an Anthology of 30 women they’ve featured in their “Second Act” series. I’m honored, yet very humbled. They wanted to know what I would tell a 40 something woman who needs a change in her life. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again and again, if you’re open to opportunity, learning and evolving, the place you are today will not be where you’ll be in a year. Passion, open mindedness and flexibility have a way of nudging us into new places we didn’t know existed. Also, at this moment, where you dream of being someday may be way more limiting than than where you’ll find yourself. Think Big!!!
My previous site, FliptStudio.com, was rebranded and relaunched this week under my new brand, ModHomeEc. ModHomeEcTeacher is the name I used when I first started posting DIY projects on design sites. Why Mod? Mod means popular, fashionable or modern. I’m not implying that I’m popular, fashionable or modern, but I’m inspired by things that are.
Next, we all know that the all-but-extinct home ec teacher used to teach, sewing, cooking, interior design and the like. Now delete the cooking part, add Shop Class and that is how I came up with ModHomeEcTeacher. I really did study to be a Home Economics Teacher, specializing in Interior Design (sewing, design and textiles). However, after graduation, I flew off to Philadelphia and studied to become a litigation paralegal. After returning to my home town, I worked at one of the largest law firms in Indianapolis until I painfully longed for a more creative life.
One thing led to another, I learned how to upholster, and started my own upholstery design studio which I owned and operated for fifteen years. I worked with designers, fabric stores, local upholsterers and workrooms, and my own clients in and around Indianapolis. I even designed and created children’s furniture for PoshTots.com.
I then had an opportunity to teach sewing at a long term housing facility for victims of domestic abuse. That was it! I decided then and there that I need to teach others what I know, and keep learning more so I can pass that on as well.
Here I am. I teach, design, create, write a column for The Indianapolis Star and write for www.Curbly.com. I also do periodic DIY projects for ApartmentTherapy-Chicago. The last I heard, I have a slipcover project that will be in The Design Sponge Book, due out in the fall or winter 2010, have co-authored two books with my Curbly colleagues and am working on another.
My goal for ModHomeEc is to show you tips and techniques used by professionals in sewing/drapery/upholstery workrooms. There are many shortcuts and tricks that make the job easier. I promise to show you those in the best way I can, even if it means putting myself in a video. (Yikes!) I will pass on valuable To the Trade resources and any and all information that will help you roll up your sleeves and get busy. Please email me with questions, comments or suggestions for projects. I love what I do, I love my home and I love sharing projects with you.