Tuesday, September 30, 2008

your questions

First off, thank you everyone for your comments on my last post. The thought of all your prayers being offered up for my dad is heartwarming, and they are so appreciated.

I am way behind on answering questions, so I thought I would try to catch up on that... Recently, Kim asked how I learned to make slipcovers and what sort of fabrics to use.

The chair above, I slipcovered in very inexpensive cotton duck; and for the chair below I made a slipcover out of white denim found on sale years ago for a couple dollars a yard...

My couch is an old mohair sofa which my mom found and passed on to me. It is sturdy as a rock, and I love it; it is also slipcovered in a patterned denim. These have all been washed many times, and the denim and duckcloth wash and wear great!

Most of our furniture is secondhand, so reupholstering or slipcovers are usually a necessity. I love being able to wash slipcovers, so I determined that I would learn to make them myself. This is the book that I found to be most helpful to me...

Simple Upholstery & Slipcovers by Carol Parks ~ {check your library or there's a link on my right sidebar}.

I also saw a three-part post on slipcovers over at Sew Mama Sew recently, which would be very helpful. I have never used a paper pattern as shown in the tutorial, but you might find that useful. Some people make a muslin pattern up first; I usually just wing it with my slipcover fabric, and thankfully that has worked for me.

I hope this helps, Kim!

Deb

15 comments:

  1. These look great. Has anyone ever slipcovered an overstuffed sofa? You know the kind with the "pillows" of extra fluff stuck to the arm rests and top of couch? I have one and it's cracked and just a mess. We now have mexican blankets thrown and tucked all over it. I'm looking for a 2nd had piece to replace it with (we've already replaced the loveseat, with a recliner. ugh) but haven't found anything yet. Thinking of trying to recover it but... I'm thinking it would look too lumpy and strange. Thoughts?
    Thanks!

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  2. Thanks for this post. I just ordered the book for the library. I love the chairs and the nice denim on the sofa. I fairly recently bought a slipcover from Sure-fit on eBay and it was terrible!

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  3. You do wonderful work. My Mom, who sews absolutley everything, is not really comfortable with slipcovers. So you have my deepest admiration!!

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  4. Anonymous7:39 PM

    Thanks for the book tip. I'm going to try to slipcover a chair I have. I thought I'd try using some old sheets I have before I commit to fabric.

    Your slipcovers look very professional!

    Manuela

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  5. Anonymous6:13 AM

    Wow! Maybe these beautiful pictures are just the motivation I need to start a slipcover project I have been afraid to start. Do you remember the yardage on any of these projects?
    These looks so professional!

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  6. I am so impressed. I hope your dad is doing better. I am still praying.

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  7. Deb...the slipcovers are impressive. That is something I haven't tackled yet, but I happened to pick up the very book you recommend several months ago. My first project is going to be a wing chair. Hope your dad is on the mend.

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  8. Dear Deb,

    Thank you for your sweet comment! I am still praying!

    You sew beautifully! The slipcovers are so pretty! You are a talented lady! Thank you for sharing the book. I have a lovely old chair I found at a thrift shop years ago, I would love to try and make a slipcover for it. Right now I have a vintage white damask tablecloth draped over it.

    Blessings,
    Paula

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  9. Beautiful job on all the Slip covers!!

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  10. I've been looking for a good book on upholstery and slipcovers. Thanks for sharing! BTW - Your furniture looks like a million bucks.

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  11. Anonymous3:36 PM

    I am surious about what camera you use for all your wonderful photos. I am in the market for a new camera and would appreciate knowing what camera you use. I am hoping that your father is doing better!
    Thanks,
    Mary

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  12. You do a great job, I'm sure if I tried it would never look as nice, you would know they were handmade. Still lots to learn

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  13. Hope your father is feeling better. Thinking good thoughts for you.

    Those slipcovers are beautiful!

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  14. Anonymous3:50 PM

    you are so talented, i can't even sew for toffee

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  15. I know this is an older post but I just found your blog. I am interested in the slip covers that you made for your wing back chair. I need to recover three chairs and I am not very good at sewing. If you are inexperienced at sewing, do you think it can still be done. I have done a few quilts but nothing like slipcovers. Does that book help?

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Thank you for taking time to leave a comment--I love reading each and every one! I will try to answer any questions you have in the comment section. Due to the amount of spam, I am sadly no longer able to accept Anonymous comments....Kindly, Deb

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