Before and After – Mr. Broken Turtle Stool

 

 

THE BACKSTORY: This little turtle guy has been sitting around at my grandparents house for as long as I can remember. The story I’d always heard about him was that he was a project for an upholstery class that my grandparents took back in the 70s. So when I heard they were thinking of getting rid of it I decided to take him home. My husband wasn’t so happy about my decision to adopt this new member of the family, especially because I failed to realize the turtle’s leg had pretty much split at the screw. After a quick fix with some wood glue and a nut and bolt combo he was still banished by my husband to the garage cabinet for a few years until I could figure out how to make him presentable.

THE PROCESS: For some reason my grandparents thought it would be a good idea to upholster the turtle in tablecloth vinyl, which slowly deteriorated and became sticky… but I figured if my grandparents could upholster it than I could probably fix him up too. So, after looking through one of his favorite Etsy stores, my husband found a Union Jack footstool and fell in love. Just as he was about to buy it I suggested we save a little cash and try to make Mr. Turtle a new Union Jack shell. Knowing I would never find upholstery fabric with the right sized Union Jack I bought some Off White Bull Denim and fabric paint and got to work. The old fabric was only held by upholstery tacks on the front and tiny nails underneath. After removing everything I used the old stuff as a template for the new fabric. It just needed to be tacked and pleated every inch or so. Once the fabric was on I taped off the same-colored sections of the flag with painters tape and sponged on the color. After drying for about an hour I made a decorative band from extra Bull Denim and nailed it in place with the upholstery tacks! We’ve decided to name Mr. Turtle “Jack” and are looking for a suitable nametag to hang around his neck.

Tags: flag, footstool, hand painted fabric, stool, tacks, union jack, upholstery, vintage turtle