Make a Memory Chair from an Old Shirt

Christmas, and the Holidays in general, are all about family—making memories, giving, loving, and just being together. Since our son, Jordan, passed away just before Christmas two years ago, it has been especially important to me to find ways to honor, remember, and include him during the Holidays. This year, I was inspired by this poem to do something special for Jordan:

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I decided to make a chair just for Jordan using one of his old shirts. It took about an hour, and I think it’s a great way to include our loved ones who have passed.

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All you need is a padded chair, a shirt (or fabric), chalk paint, finishing wax, staple gun.

1. Remove the seat from the chair. It’s usually just attached by four screws underneath.

2. Remove existing fabric. It helps to have a staple remover, but you can do it with pliers and a hammer. If you’re lucky, your husband will surprise you and do this part for you (thanks Jase!)

You will also remove the fabric underneath the seat.

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3. Paint the chair. I always use chalk paint so I don’t have to prime, strip or sand first, and because I can get the look I want every time. I make my own chalk paint with BB Frösch Chalk Paint Powder . It’s the most affordable, the best quality, and I can make it any color I want. Besides that, I only mix up as much as I need for a project so I don’t waste paint. I used Benjamin Moore “Dove Wing.” It’s kind of a “putty” white—not too creamy but not too grey.

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My oldest daughter helped me paint the chair. It took exactly 6 minutes for the first coat, and it only needed two coats! I couldn’t believe how much faster it went with two of us. She could see spots I missed, and vice versa. We also put the chair on my table before painting. It’s so much easier to see all the angles this way.

4. (optional) After the paint dries, distress. I distressed the chair lightly using 220 grit flexible sandpaper. It’s the best way to sand spindles because its flexible, and you can see through it to gauge how much distressing to do. This also helps give a nice smooth finish that feels as good as it looks.

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5. Seal your work to protect the finish. I waxed the chair with clear BB Frösch Premium Finishing Wax.

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6. Center your seat on your shirt (or fabric.)

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7. Trim to at least 7 inches wider than your chair seat.

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8. Using a staple gun, staple the shirt or fabric to the underside of the seat. Staple the center of each side first to make sure the fabric is pulled evenly, then finish one side at a time. Turn the cushion over every few staples to make sure you are pulling evenly.

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9. Staple a piece of fabric over the underside of the seat cushion to hide the “ugly,” I just used a scrap of fabric leftover from another project since I didn’t have enough of the shirt fabric. It doesn’t matter what the fabric looks like since you won’t see it. I used the fabric I took of the bottom of the seat cushion as a pattern.

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10. Screw the chair seat back onto the chair.

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11. Decide where to put your loved one’s special chair!

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I can’t decide if I like it better where I planned for it to go, or by the tree…

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Thanks for stopping by! If you decide to make a memory chair for your special loved one, I’d love to see! Tag me on Instagram @theshabbybride or @bbfrosch.

Looking for more affordable chalk paint inspiration? Follow BB Frösch on Instagram,  Pinterest and Facebook.
You can also take a full hands-on workshop at BB Frösch University here.

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Published on December 8, 2016

11 thoughts on “Make a Memory Chair from an Old Shirt”

  1. This is a great idea. My daughter passed away unexpectedly last year on Christmas morning, and it has devastated our family, as you well know. I’m definitely not up to anything this year other than make it thru the holidays. But this is a lovely idea for the future.

    1. Dear Patti, It’s hard to even think of any thing to say, except I’m so sorry for what you are going through. I can’t imagine losing a child on Christmas morning. My daughter passed in 2012 leaving behind an 11 mo old baby boy. He motivates me to decorate for Christmas but of course that empty chair always hurts. Believe it or not, you will have moments of joy in the future, even though right now it does not seem possible, nor even right. God bless you and I’ll be asking the Lord to give you peace. Debbie

    2. I’m so sorry about your daughter! You are smart to concentrate on just making it through. You will find new traditions and ways to honor your daughter–it won’t ever be easy, but you will gain strength. Prayers to you and your family!

  2. Such a beautiful poem and the chair came out great! So sorry for your loss – I am glad you are keeping him part of your family’s lives, particularly at Christmas.

  3. A dear friend lost his son named Jordon two years ago right about this time. The poem you found is very comforting and the chair you made makes it even better. My daughter passed 4 1/2 years ago and of course as you know, Christmas seems to highlight the fact that our precious loved one is not here. But I feel just as close to Amy as I did her entire life. I hang her Christmas stocking and always will. Just because she moved to Heaven does not mean she is unaware of what is happening here on earth and I think of her countless times every single hour. Have a blessed Christmas and thanks for your awesome idea. Debbie

    1. Thank you for sharing! Prayers and love to you as you navigate Christmas without your sweet Amy. You are right, our loved ones are very near, and I believe they are very aware of us!

  4. Really neat idea!! I will pass along to all of my aunt’s, they lost 3 brothers in 3 yrs, this would be a great way to keep their memory alive? Thank you!

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