Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Hooking A Footstool

My mother-in-law asked me to hook a cover for a small footstool she has in her living room. She has a pair of LazyBoy recliners covered in a lovely tapestry-type fabric that she wanted me to use as inspiration for both the color and the design. I've had to simplify it a bit and take out some of the details to make it easier to hook, but I think the design will be okay.


I've got the colors and fabrics all picked out and I think they'll be okay.



This is a picture of the chair.


The only thing I'm not sure about, is what kind of backing to use. I have burlap linen, monks cloth, and some of Michelle Micarelli's soft linen. I don't know which would be the best choice, so I'm hoping some of you might help me decide - if you've ever hooked a footstool before - can you share your experience with me please? And if you have any thoughts or advise about this project feel free to share! 

13 comments:

Alice ~ Folk Art Primitives said...

I've never hooked a footstool cover before but ~ I love your colors ~ looks like they'll go very nicely with the chair! Have fun!

Barb said...

I don't hook but what you are doing looks like it is going to be so wonderful.

Kathy (woolfind) said...

it's going to be beautiful! The only suggestion that I would give is to not use the monks cloth. Too stretchy, and may end up bigger than your dimensions. Either the burlap linen or the other linen should be fine. Sweet design!!

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri Malinovich) said...

I'm no help but I wanted to tell you that your fabric colors are very pretty!

maureenm said...

My vote is for linen, as it doesn't stretch so much, is very durable and should be better to manhandle into fitting your stool.

Jen Manuell said...

Hi Gayle! After sewing together dozens of purses...my recommendation would be rug warp. I know it's not one of your choices - sorry - but it really does pull together the best for a 'seamless' seam. My 2nd pick would be for a linen, but not the MM soft linen -- a little too soft. Ideally IMHO you want a backing that is firm enough to not stretch too much, but with just a little bit of elasticity. Sometimes linen stretches out, and then doesn't spring back....and when you are sewing the seams together, you need it to be tight - and stay tight, even with pulling and tugging. Hope this is helpful and not just confusing....
Good luck! I can't wait to see it progress.... :-D

HomeSpunPrims said...

The stool cover will be beautiful. I'll look forward to seeing how it comes out.

Cammie said...

I can't wait to see that when you are done Gayle! I love the colors you have picked out!

Linda - Behind My Red Door said...

That is going to be gorgeous! Guess what I am starting next Tuesday - hooking! I am getting together with a friend. I have the pattern drawn on my linen burlap and my wool chosen but she has the cutter so I can't start until then!!

I am in touch with Kathy. Her email stayed the same. She is not prim anymore at all - more chabby but she has her old furniture and added new accessories and it is gorgeous!

Kris said...

Hi Gayle,
Oh my goodness, I love your blog!!! Where have you been hiding? Thank you for stopping by Simplify and leaving me a comment. I am a huge fan of Craigslist. Although, this is not where I found my table for my sewing room, I have found many great things there. Try it. Good luck with that, and i WILL be back!!!!

Cindi Gay said...

I've hooked 4 footstools and my hands down recommendation is rug warp. You can get a good one at Dorr Mill store or on my website, cindigayrughooking.com I have kittens and even their stretching and scratching does not pull out the loops. You can flip a rug over for repair, a footstool is another story.

You can see one of my footstools here.

Wendie Scott Davis said...

I second Jennifer's reco re the rug warp, for the same reasons. The monk's cloth will stretch and the linen too, if it is the soft kind. The rug warp will hold its shape and give you a good solid foundation.

BTW, your design and colours are awesome!!!

Mimi Sue said...

You can't actually put your feet up on all that work can you?? It's going to be beautiful. Love the quilt you made for your mom too. Mimi