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LiveCreative: Macrame’ Chair

Do you have an outdoor chair with a great frame, but the seating area is gone? I did and wanted to make it fabulous again. With some time and patience, I made the chair even better than it was new!

I removed the rattan from this frame and had a great shell. I did a search on Macramé chair and found some great directions, see link Macramé Chair

You will need:

2 big plastic 19mm crochet hooks, I got these at Michaels

approximately 2 skeins of the 6mm craft cord, I used the Bonnie craft cord in the Jute color.

I had these really great chairs that had given up the rattan.  I removed it and had a great form for the Macrame’.

Tie a square knot in one corner, then start weaving.  The video does a great job of walking thru the weaving.

The first layer of weaving is one direction, then  once done you start weaving between the two strands of each first pass.  Use the crochet hooks to hold the loops of the strand you are working on.

The hardest part is getting everything tight enough.  After a few rows use the hooks or something else to push all the rows tight.  Do this tightening throughout the weaving process.

Once the seat is done, move to the back. The ends will be looped thru in a knot, and then burned with a flame to ensure the rope does not ravel.  Then the seared end can be tucked into the weaving.

  

I wove two chairs and am thrilled with how they turned out!

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LiveCreative: Silver Leather Jacket

I wanted a silver leather jacket, but did not want to spend much money. Sometimes Goodwill has nice stuff for reasonable prices. It took a bit of time shopping at a few different locations, before I found one I liked the style and fit, and got it for $5! If you are not in a hurry you can find really wonderful things!
The leather jacket I chose was black with a silver lining.

I cleaned the leather with alcohol one day and dyed it the next to ensure it was dry.

I used a pewter and silver dye mixed together to get the color I wanted.

It took a bit of trial and error and since I started with a black jacket, it took 2 coats, but I am super happy with how the jacket turned out. I wear it a lot and get many compliments.

Remember to take some extra time around the seams and stitching, to ensure the dye gets in all the crevices. The underside of the zipper leather will show when you are zipping and unzipping, so remember this detail. You can also dye the fabric of the zipper, if needed. Especially important if you are changing colors of a jacket. Underneath the collar is very important. The leather in the pockets can show, and the leather inside the sleeves and inside the jacket. Between the layers of leather on the edge of the collar will take some extra care but it will be worth the time.

I love my results.  I have worm the jacket several times and love it.  The leather is still soft and pliable.  It is a great jacket.

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LiveCreative: Bronze Leather Jacket

I was given a really great leather jacket, fun style, but an ugly finish that was very scratched and rough, as well as a color I would never wear. I love the metallic leather finishes, so I decided to upcycle my leather gift and make it fabulous!

I shopped around on ebay and ordered some metallic leather dye/paint. I choose a metallic bronze color that would match the original color of the jacket as well as the lining.

To clean the jacket and prep it for dye, clean it with alcohol or lemon juice. The acid prepares the leather to accept the dye. Make sure the leather is dry before starting. I cleaned on one day, and dyed the next. I used a sponge to apply the dye. I also dyed the zipper fabric, the top stitch thread, the leather folded in and sew to the lining, the leather turned up into the edge of the sleeves, as well as the edges of the leather – everything so it looks like it was always the beautiful metallic bronze. I applied the dye, let dry a bit then added a second coat to even out the color to be uniform in color and texture. I then let it dry overnight before wearing. I have gotten a ton of compliments on my upcycled jacket. Admirers have no idea the jacket was not always this color and effect!

If you do not have a jacket in your collection that needs a new finish, just go to a resale shop and see what you can find. Goodwill has nice stuff for reasonable prices. I wanted a silver jacket, did a bit of shopping before I found one I liked the style and fit, and got it for $5! If you are not in a hurry you can find really wonderful things to personalize and make your own one of a kind creation!