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Dumpster Rocker

So, my aunt rescued this old rocking chair from a dumpster. She said she found a toddler rocker and asked if I wanted it. I of course said yes….who turns down a free dumpster rocker? Anyway, when I got it I noticed that it not really toddler sized, it’s way too big. It’s not really adult sized either though, its pretty small. It’s like a 3/4 sized rocker. We’re kinda small people though, so I decided to make it a front porch rocker. As soon as my husband saw it sitting on the front porch he cringed and asked “are we really keeping that nasty thing?” Umm, yes, but its not going to stay that way…did we just meet? Anyway, this is why he cringed, its a homely little thing….
Antique Sewing Rocker
…and it might have had a couple of things wrong with it…
Sewing Rocker Problems
So here we go:
Rip off nasty (nasty!) fabric.
garbage rocker

 Sand.

Sanding wood before painting
Prime. (Kilz is my favorite)
prime before painting (Kilz is awesome!)
Paint.
updated furniture
 Have the little helper help (haha) cut fabric.
Little Helper

Replace nasty foam after drenching with Febreeze (I would have replaced it if foam wasn’t crazy expensive).

Simple upholstry
Cover with fabric, fold under edges, and nail.
Beginners upholstery
Use fabric glue to add edging (I’m fairly certain that this is not how the professionals do it, but whatever).
adding edging to upholstery (the easy way)
And here it is!
sewing rocker makeover (for $10!)

Antique Rocker Upcycle
wooden rocking chair
Dumpster Rocker Before & After

I spent about $10 fixing up this rocker..about $5 on spray paint and $5 on the edging. The fabric is leftover from being rejected for my dining room curtains.  While working on this I came up with a little challenge for myself…to create an entire front porch for under $100. I would like about four chairs, an end table, a rug, a loveseat/bench and some wall decor. Should be interesting!

rocking chair before and after

Looking for more furniture ideas? Check out THIS POST.
Furniture ideas

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120 Comments

  4. Looks awesome!
    I don't remember exactly how I found your blog but I'm so glad I did and added you to my reader. I love all your projects and am always excited to see when you have a new post.

    Reply

  10. I love this!! I just got done refinishing a curb side rocker too! :) It was a lot of fun and I was looking forward to it hanging out in my living room but it sold as soon as I finished it! I'll have to wait until I find another gem! :)

    Reply

  13. I used to have a similar chair, only mine had a cane bottom. I never got around to redoing it and boy am I regretting it after seeing yours. It's fabulous and I love the fabric you chose. PRECIOUS! Love it!

    Reply

    1. Was just going to say I had heard of smaller rockers being called sewing rockers. Thanks for confirmation.

      Reply

  22. I just found you from Coastal Charm, and really love your blog – I'm also in Texas (hill country) and we're trying to do some similar things at our house (though I think I have one blog post in 2 years or something). You have wonderful creative ideas, and I plan to steal, errr, borrow some from you, lol

    Patty

    Reply

  25. This looks absolutely gorgeous!

    Please it with my girls over at my Sundae Shake Up link party! I'm sure they would love it, since my blog is a 1950's vintage theme!

    Thanks,

    Jacque @ Jacque's Soda Parlor

    thesodaparlor.blogspot.com

    Reply

  28. Gorgeous! I am fascinated by all things upholstery lately. I want to learn how to do it too! I believe your rocker might be an old sewing rocker. My grandmother had one too and they sit really low to the ground. I suppose so you can reach your supplies in a nearby sewing basket. You did a fabulous job! Deb

    Reply

  34. Your rocker looks soooo good! You chose a fabulous fabric for the covers. I love it! I love that you kept it a nice white and didn't distress it. Its lovely.
    have a great day…,
    Judi

    Reply

  39. Awesome redo! I have the same rocker. (Mom bought it at a garage sale and gave it to me.) The wood is in bad shape, so I'm not sure if I can salvage it w/ just paint and fabric. :(

    Btw, I did some research on mine. it's a sewing rocker from more than 100 years ago or something like that. It folded for easy transport to quilting bees and for moves in the wagon. It's low to the ground to maintain the quilt and reach supplies. And no arms so the sewer's arm could move freely for needlework. Interesting, no?

    Reply

  42. hello! Great job on the chair! I was shocked to see it, because I have the same one. Only mine does not have anything on the bottom – it's a hole like a toilet seat! I'm wondering if you could describe what supports the foam and cushion on the bottom? thanks!

    Reply

  43. WOW!! If I saw the 'before' chair in a thrift store I would've walked straight past it. Seeing what you turned it into has definitely opened my eye up to the potential!

    Reply

  46. I have this EXACT rocker!!! My parents bought it for me at an antique store. They said it is a nursing rocker. I have debated painting and re-uphostering it and I think I will after seeing your redo!

    Reply

  50. lOVED THE CHAIR AND THE FABRIC. I AM DOING MY BEDROOM IN THOSE COLORS AND WONDERED WHERE YOU BOUGHT THE FABRIC. THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST CHAIRS I HAVE SEEN DONE IN A LONG TIME. FOUND YOUR BLOG FROM ANOTHER BLOGGER AND HAVE SAVED YOU ON MY FAVORITES. LOVED IT.
    BETTY WHATLEY
    [email protected]

    Reply

  59. Hey Ashley,

    Thanks for linking up your vintage chair at my Sundae Shake Up. I have taken the time to check out your blog and absolutely love your style!!!! I am your newest follower!!!!
    Please stop by again on Sunday for another fun Link Party! Can’t wait to see you there, my friend!

    Jacque @ Jacque’s Soda Parlor
    thesodaparlor.blogspot.com

    Reply

  60. What a beautiful piece!! I love the fabric you chose, and the chair is so pretty in white. My only suggestion would be to size your photos up to Large so that readers can really get a good look! :)

    Thanks so much for joining my Weekend Bloggy Reading party (and for linking back-I appreciate that!). :)

    Reply

  62. That chair and fabric are spectacular! I have a little foot stool that needs to be done. You have inspired me to get it done!

    Reply

  64. This looks just amazing! “I'm sure that's not how the professionals do it, but whatever.” You crack me up! So glad I found you!

    I would love, love for you to come link up with me at Freestyle Friday.
    happyhourprojects.blogspot.com – open all weekend!

    Happy to be your newest follower ~ Adrianne

    Reply

  70. Love it! I have the same rocker, which a friend of mine rescued at a garage sale. I didn't go so far as to strip and paint mine, but I did reupholster it in a toille fabric and trimmed it (using glue) and some brown ribbon. I love your take on it!

    Reply

  71. Absolutely gorgeous makeover!
    It always astonishes me what people will chuck out, especially when a bit of TLC can turn old and worn into beautifully reborn! Thank goodness the world has people like you who can see the potential in worn out things :D

    Reply

  79. So awesome! I usually throw a furniture away when they're useless . I didn't expect you can make something out from an old stuff and make it look good as new!

    Reply

  80. AMAZING! I wish I could find treasures like that in the dumps around here. If you get a chance I would love you to link your chair up to More the Merrier Monday. It lasts through Wednesday so you have plenty of time to stop by. See you there. http://diyhshp.blogspot.com/

    Reply

  81. Hallo, It looks very nice! In Holland we call this chair a knitting-chair.
    I have the same as yours. Only I painted mine blue. Yours is much better!! I like the idea two people so many miles apart, have the same chair!
    Greetings from Holland!

    Reply

  93. Do you know that the fabric you used for this is being used on the couch and curtains of the main room of “The Bachelor Pad”. It is a new show taking the place of Bachelorette and Bachelor for the summer months. I almost bought this same fabric for my kitchen only in a different colorway. Your chair is gorgeous!

    Reply

  94. Ashley,

    I have looked through your blog just barely, and I have got to say you are one crafty chick! I can't believe you redone your kitchen while you were pregnant. I've gotta give you kudos for that!

    So hey, I've got some pretty exciting news for you. I have awarded you the “Versatile Blogger Award”. Please stop by my blog to snatch it up and wear it proud on your blog! You deserve it! Congrats!

    Jacque @ Jacque's Soda Parlor
    thesodaparlor.blogspot.com

    Reply

  101. I am so glad I found your blog! This chair is adorable!!! My daughter has one in her closet that she doesn’t know what to do w/. Once I show her this, that chair will have a new life! Thanks for posting this transformation, it will save an old, unused chair!

    Reply

  102. What you have is an antique (YES, at least 100 years old) folding, sewing rocker. WOW. Love the redo. I have one in ugly shape that if I can take time to clean it up, I’ll be trying to get at least $100 out of it. Actually the original material looked to be in pretty good shape. GULP I know, to see what you have done to yours, who would have thought! Ours has pretty much the same material, edging and all only mine is REALLY filthy.
    So glad to see one upcycled and looking good!

    Reply

  104. I know a great deal about ALL Types of Antiques………I am on the money as far as pricing them…..What you actually do have is an OLD Antique Sewing Chair. I think that the Material more than likely was the Original fabric!! Also, the dark wood is original to the piece!!
    This chair was made orginally to fit beside a Fireplace, where a lady could sew. I have a solid Tiger Oak Sewing Chair, which I striped, to show the natural wood. I have been offered more than $250.00 for my chair, but I will not sell it, due to it belonging to my Grandparents!!!

    Reply

    1. Holy Cow, $250? That makes me feel bad about messing with it. Except that hindsight is 20/20 and I had no idea at the time (and it was found in a dumpster.) Thanks for the info!

      Reply

  105. I was very surprised to see the picture of your chair, i bought the same chair 3 months ago.i bought mine in a second hand store for 25 euro’s.The fabric was so ugly ,but there was something about this chair.I also painted it white and put on a new fabric ,with grey white and black colors,but i like your fabric alot.

    Reply

  106. So funny- I have this chair too! A friend gave it to me and it had been in their family for years. Just a few days ago I was trying to figure out how to reupholster it- so thanks!

    Reply
  107. Pingback: Academia Craft | Artesanato e artes para relaxar | Móveis de personalidade!

  108. Oh my goodness I have got the same old rocking chair from a second hand store a few months back. Have been waiting for my friend, who is a professional in these things to redo it. I had no idea it is going to be this easy, so I am going to do it myself soon. Funny to read that some other people also have the same chair.

    Thanks for this if nothing else!

    Reply
  109. Pingback: Nasty Rocker Gets a Major Makeover

  111. I too have this folding rocker which once had a cane seat. After looking into replacing it I was mortified at what they charge to recane it. It’s not easy to do and even the supplies are very costly. I was determined to do something similar but strong and cheaper too.

    What I came up with (in a daydream) was very strong cord (string) bought in a hardware store. I wove it through the holes that the original cane came through. Did you ever make potholders when you were a kid? I used the same technic basically, weaving horizontally across vertical lengths of cord. It took days but I’m not a quitter. The results are very nice, strong and creative. The chair was refinished first and stained a medium walnut. The contrasting white cord stands out nicely. IS THERE A WAY TO SEND YOU A PICTURE?

    Reply

  112. Adorable make over of the rocking chair! It is a real keeper! I love the fabric too. Where did you find it?

    Reply

  114. Omg LOVE LOVE THIS!!
    I JUST had this exact same chair given to me on a giveaway site!! I’m so glad I got to see your finished piece… hope mine turns out just as nice as yours!!
    Beautiful

    Reply

  115. Wow – it’s amazing these old rockers are around at this price still in 2017 – my wife picked this up a maxsold auction at the weekend for $10 – pretty rough, and with a small amount of work they easily become a usable piece of furniture again!

    Why would anyone throw away such a useful rocker?

    https://ibb.co/dbGrqv

    Reply

  116. Hi!! Love this chair that you did! I have one exactly like this! What did you do for the screws at the joints? The chair is wobbly and I’m trying to figure out a solution. Any help??
    Thanks!

    Reply

  117. Thank you for such a beautifully fresh idea! I have an almost exact old folding rocker from my grandparents’ home here in Iowa. No one in my family wanted it, due to its horrible old fabric. I could appreciate the shape of it and envisioned a fresh & modern revamp. I have yet to attempt my project, but couldn’t stand giving away a piece that was my grandparents. It to is very short and folds, just like yours…a 3/4 rocker. The wood structure is in beautiful shape, just needs sanding and popping modern fabric! Like you, I just glue my decorative braiding around the edges of other reupholstered projects to cover my nails and freshen the seam. My family is almost all over six feet tall, so it may not wind up being sat it, but with your idea, it could look really cute is a corner of a room – Thank You! Carrie

    Reply

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