What's Stitching with Susan: Granny Square Chair

Today's first-ever "What's Stitching with Susan" post is brought to you straight from my mom! Thanks for guest posting, Mom. :)

Thanks Rebekah for letting me share my finished project on your blog! So for my story... my sister gave me an antique oak chair for my birthday, with intentions of me doing some kind of patchwork seat. (Rebekah here... I love this idea of giving a birthday present that is also a fun project!)

After several weeks of searching for a pattern, nothing seemed to get me excited. When I saw Rebekah's Granny Square, I knew that would work well. I used the same Blue Elephant Stitches tutorial. Rebekah picked out my fabrics for me. I think she has a great eye for color! (Thanks, Mom!) Then I used Essex Linen in Flax for the outer, solid squares.  

To make the block, I cut my squares to 2.75" (instead of the suggested 2.5") to allow the finished block to cover more of the padded seat. There are also extra Essex Linen squares added on each side. A small strip of linen fabric is then added to get the block to the size I needed to wrap around my padded seat. 

To finish the seat cover, all you have to do is pin-baste a square of batting (I like to use Warm and Natural) to the back of the block and machine or hand quilt, whatever you like. I hand quilted around each block with DMC Perle Cotton No. 8. Wrap your finished square around your seat pad, being careful at corners, then use a staple gun to secure in place. There you have it!  A quick quilting project that surely adds some color and style to the chair's new home. My chair is finding its new home in the sewing room!