At bottom, the springs had popped out of their metal frame. After six weekend sessions, the chair frame was at last exposed. Now, to rebuild. The old varnish on the exposed wood needed removal, and that task took three extra sessions. Foam rubber is the medium of choice to stuff furniture these days.
Most sewing stores carry it, and it can be easily cut to size with a handsaw.
At last, it was time to cut fabric. More terrified phone calls went to Florida. With an assist from The Husband, in five minutes the machine was threaded. But just as in eighth grade, the bobbin refused to behave as directed. No amount of bad words could compel its cooperation.