Dumpster Diving

Okay, so technically, I wasn't actually dumpster diving. In our neighbourhood, if we no longer want something, but it still has some value, we just leave it out in the alley, and it usually disappears within a couple of hours.

Our next door neighbours must've been doing a clean out, because a couple of days ago there was a pile of stuff sitting out back.

There are some advantages to walking the dog early in the morning, I had first crack at the pile.

Score! There were two of these little bistro chairs, which I nabbed. When I first saw them, I thought they were made of cane, but they turned out to be Ikea's finest plastic. Whatever - I thought they'd work anyway.




So I spray painted them turquoise. What a surprise, eh?




Then I bought some fabric to make a couple of cushions. Yes, you read that right. I was going to attempt to sew cushions. With piping!
How hard could that be?




A very helpful tutorial on You Tube suggested using a zipper foot. Unfortunately, it assumed that I would know what that is. I've been sewing off & on for 45 years, and in that time, I have sewn exactly one zipper, and that was way back in high school home-ec class. I had that zipper in & out so many times that I completely shredded the beautiful wool fabric that was going to be a skirt. I've avoided them ever since.
So, what the Hell does a zipper foot look like, anyway? I studied my choices...




...and decided on this one.




Sue, you're rolling your eyes, aren't you?

Luckily, I couldn't figure out how to attach it, so I had to google the manual for my 25 year old machine. (Surprise! It was actually available!)
And another surprise, turns out the doohickey that I had chosen is a darning foot. A what? Is that a thing? Who knew?!
So anyway, I finally got the right thingamajig attached, and after a minor panic attack, I proceeded.




And you won't believe this, but I whipped up two cushions without once using my seam ripper! Hello, Ripley's?
I was feeling a little cocky, so I decided to add buttons. Another first. I've never made covered buttons before.




Ta daaa!




The plan is to take them to Mexico. We only have 4 dining chairs there, but they're big, with arms, so there isn't much room for additional seating. These skinny little chairs will be just perfect for when we have more than 2 guests.
See why they had to be turquoise?




I'm going to print a picture and pop it into Brenda's mailbox with a thank you note. I think she'll be pleased that her chairs are going to have a new life.
I know I am.