How I Improved An Old Deckchair In a Day

I have the most fantastic free-up group on Facebook!  I think every single person in my town and surrounding areas use it as there are over 15k members!  The group was set up a few years ago inspired by Kirstie Allsopp's 'how to fill your house for free' and some true gems pop up - such as this wonderful unwanted child's deckchair.

I fell in love with it!  I did give the cover a wash but it was too faded and marked to rescue so I knew I would need to face my nemesis which was currently sitting in my craft room "broken"!

I turned to my manual and google to try and work out what was wrong with my sewing machine.  I tried everything to try and fix why my bobbin wasn't working, why the thread wasn't picking up and why it was bunching!

Over the space of 3 days I tried it and gave up, swore, tried again.  Finally, I decided to bite the bullet and adjust the tension in the bobbin case AND IT WORKED!!!  I feel like I've made such a breakthrough with my machine, and we've become a little closer!

I tacked and sewed a new fabric for the chair.  I was so so pleased with myself.  I know it's just a straightforward piece of material with hoops at the top and bottom and a hem, but it's a major step for me and my sewing machine!!

With the material decided I went for Rust-Oleum's Ink Blue furniture paint, and I feel it sets off the material beautifully.  With the bright sunshine, the two coats of paint were completed in the day, which meant I could thread the material through and have the chair ready for my son the next day.

And he loves it!

What do you think?  I'm so pleased it turned out so well.

Our lovely little deckchair has been saved from the tip!