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Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Bum's Rush


Sometimes Mother Nature gives you a day
of such splendid beauty that it paralyzes you;
all you can do is look in awe at her handiwork.


Well, okay.  Full disclosure:
that's my excuse for not ticking off the "to-do" items on my list today.
I was too busy being awe-ful.  :-)


But I did tackle this little problem: 

 "Just washed my chair, and can't do a thing with it!"

Back around Memorial Day, Howard and I went to a 
country auction, and scored some old rush-seated chairs.
For $4 apiece.
Well, wouldn't you?

They are all maple, all slightly different in their turnings,
all 19th century, and all very sturdy, and in decent shape.


If you don't count the woven rush.


What to do?
Like many women, I do what works, not necessarily what should be done.
So I got hold of some brown duct tape.
What would we do without duct tape?
(We once rebuilt a closet with it. Really. Ask our daughter Alida.)

3 of the 4 chairs had relatively minor rush damage.  
Like this.
Easy-peasy.

But one of them was crazy-wild damaged.

It looked like Albert Einstein's hair.

Even Gilda had her doubts.
"Nice tiger maple, Mom, but that rush?  Really?"
I started with the less-damaged seats, and duct-taped
the rush back on.  Then I tackled Einstein.
He took a lot of tape.
Bottom AND top.
(Yes, Gilda, we see you napping.)

What am I going to do with these chairs now that the rush is no
longer blowing in the wind?  The duct tape ain't a good look.

Easy.  I'll sew some seat cushions for the chairs,
little slipcovers that will come down over all 4 sides
of the seats, covering the incriminating duct tape.

What about fabric?
Plain linen?  Canvas?  Buffalo check?  Ticking stripe?
Toile?  Plaid?  Floral?  Leopard or Zebra?
Smiley face print?  :-)

Dylan says he doesn't care.
Isn't that just like a man?

See you tomorrow! -- Cass


7 comments:

  1. I didn't know they made duct tape in brown.

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  2. Loved this post...kept me intrigued as to what you were going to do with them.
    I like your idea...I also like the 'ticking' fabric suggestion.
    Karen

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  3. Wow, I didn't know there was brown duct tape out there! I can't wait to see what your skirted covers will look like. Pam

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  4. I didn't see any hope for the shaggy hair do but you came through Cass.
    And to the other comments ... duct tape comes in all kinds of colors and even a leopard print.

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  5. as usual Cass..you are hilarious!!!!
    can't wait to see what you do to the chairs..:)
    hugs! Loui♥

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  6. Sounds like you got a good deal on the chairs even with the damaged seats. I too think a fabric cover would be the best route - unless you know how to re-weave the seats. :)
    Enjoy your evening.

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  7. Bahahaha!!! Duct tape covers a myriad of mishaps, don't they?
    I'm torn between buffalo checks and tick striping myself. The chairs have great bones so I'm sure they will look fantastic once they get their new makeover!

    ReplyDelete

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