Great Idea, THE Chair

So, I had this great idea about six months ago that I wanted my favorite chair to be denim (it has been off white for over 10 years). This chair is perfect for me because my feet can touch the ground when I sit down (I’m 4”11’, so that doesn’t happen very often).  The idea was that I would re-upholstering the chair.  Great idea.

I bought the denim and decided how I wanted it to look and I bought special staples for my electric staple gun (I know it’s a little scary that I own power tools).  I made up a pattern and cut out the pieces.

I did okay with the bottom part of the chair, and I did fine with the cushion.  I was starting to think I was meant to do this.  Then I started working on the front top part of the chair.  I laid it on the chair and it fit so I started to stapled it down.  Then all of a sudden the piece didn’t fit anymore.  No matter what I did I couldn’t get it on.  I got frustrated and I set it aside.  

Ever so often I would work on it again and try to get it to fit, but I didn’t have any luck. 

This past weekend I made up my mind I was going to finish it. I talked with my Mom (who has done quite a bit of upholstering) and she suggested I sew the piece on by machine.  I took out the staples holding in the top front and I re-positioned the fabric.  I was finally able to get it to fit so I tacked the back to the upper front part of the chair.  So far so good.  Once I had the pieces tacked together and I was sure it fit, I took it off and took it to the sewing machine.  After I sewed those two pieces together I put it back on the chair and you’ll never believe what happened!  It totally didn’t fit. How can this be? I was stumped.  I ripped out the stitches.

Hummm.  I thought this was a good idea. 

Since I cut out the back piece, I had to go to the fabric store and buy another piece.  I called my daughter-in-law (who is really good at this and she gave me some great ideas. I went to the fabric store and bought more fabric.

 I tried stapling the back on the staples and they kept coming out so I tried upholstery tacks, but they wouldn’t stay in either.   

Now what?  

I had already wasted about 6 hours and I didn’t know what to try next.  I only knew I wasn’t going to admit defeat! 

I stopped and spent some time talking to God.  Breathe deep.  Relax.  

I thought about this not being a very FUN project and then after talking to God I realized I need to use the skills I have.  My Mom would have sewed it because she’s a really good seamstress.  My daughter-in-law would is really good with upholstery tacks.  I kept ruining the tacks because my hammering skills are sorely lacking. 

I wondered, what natural skills has God given me?  Well, I like doing hand work.  Hand quilting, cross-stitch, etc.  I’m much better at hand sewing than sewing on the machine.  Then I realized what God was trying to get me to see.  Use MY skills, and what I like to do.  

So I blind stitched the back to the upper front of the chair.  It really didn’t take long and I liked doing it.  I stapled the back bottom down and the chair was done. 

After all that time, God reminded me that I need to use the gifts that He gave me.  I will be okay as long as I relax and use my best skills.

God is good to remind me not to fight against my own nature and to use the skills He gave me.  Once I did that, I FINALLY finished the project.  

The good thing about my “great idea” projects is that I learn a lot about myself in the process.  

God is good and faithful to help me along the way!