A couple months ago a customer brought me a chair to slipcover. I finally made the slipcover last week and finished it up this week.
It wasn’t horrible but it was a little tired looking and needed some freshening up.
Here is the before.
The owner of this chair called it her green ‘Linda Blair’ chair. I have slipcovered stuff before – mostly my own stuff and some slipcovered ottomans that I sold at the Brick Farmhouse Event last fall. Before I started this project Miss Mustard Seed, one of my very favorite bloggers, posted a link to her 6 part video tutorial on slipcovering a wing chair. I took the time to watch them a couple weeks ago while my Mom was here doing school with the girls. Thanks again Mom! I was SO glad I watched them. Honestly those video tutorials had better advice and tips than the books I’ve read on the subject. MSM is right, if you can sew straight seams you can slipcover a chair. Easy Peasy! Here are a couple shots ‘during’. I don’t think I need to do a tutorial – MMS has already done a very fine job on them and there is no reason to reinvent the wheel!!
Instead of measuring and cutting and refitting you just drape, pin, trim seam, and sew. You are making it inside out and the left side that is up when you pin will be the right side when you turn it right side out. As MMS said this only works on symmetrical furniture.
Details. Box pleats at the sides, front, and back. Ribbon closures at the back – Thanks MSM for this idea!
I purposely positioned a seam that was already in the drop cloth in the center of the seat cushion. Just for some added texture and interest.
Here is the slip covered chair. I love using drop cloths as slip covers. Inexpensive, durable, washable, bleachable, neutral, and just a touch industrial. I did think the back cushion looked like it needed something. So I sent photos off to the owner to get her input. She agreed. I threw out a few ideas and sent her some more photos with some ribbon addition ideas.
This is what we settled on.
And here she is! The finished product. Now isn’t that better than the green??
I am linking this post to these blogs:
Feathered Nest Friday’ at French Country Cottage
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that is darling!!! & I am sorry but I am here to tell you that even though I can sew a straight seam- I am fairly certain I can NOT sew a slipcover:)!- I struggle w/ pillows!:) & fyi: I sent a “sewing” package your way today!
This turned out great! I haven’t watched MMS’s videos yet, but I have it pinned 🙂 Is that your craft/sewing room in the background? It’s AWESOME!!!
That turned out really nice! I have a piano bench in need of a similar face lift – this has inspired me to add that to my to-do list. (the trick being, to now actually DO what is on the list!)
Looks great! This post is very timely…I’m working up the motivation to alter a sofa slipcover. In theory it doesn’t seem like it will be very hard and I often daydream about how I’m going to do it. But somehow I never can work up the nerve to get started. Maybe tomorrow. hahah. Along with a new diet and some exercise.
Wow this turned out beautifully and I love the ribbon trim!! Maybe one day I will be brave enough to try slipcovering!
Please come to check out my interview with Tina from The Enchanted Home; and enter for a crystal hurricane candle giveaway!
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
Oh my gosh, Jill, it’s beatuiful! Your addition of the details is the perfect touch to give it a unique look! Great job!
Oh I wish you lived next door! My first attempt at my round stool slipcover with piping did not turn out at all. 🙁 My second attempt is ok and I will put it on the blog soon. I am trying to work my way up to doing a chair, then settee and finally my mustard colored couch. 🙂
you did a fabulous job on this slipcover! It’s on my list to do… I even have the dropcloths already. 🙂
gail
here i am looking at your stuff and i know you are over at breida with a b. looking at my stuff – isn’t that funny?!
anyway – i LOVE this slipcover and i especially love the stripey detailing – fantastic!
breida
This is wonderful!! Thank you so much for sharing. Featuring at my party that starts at 2:00 EST.
Wow. That is one heck of a transformation. I am in awe of your sewing skills!
Wow! I’m really, really impressed … and maybe now a bit more inspired to slipcover my sectional sofa in drop cloth …
🙂
Linda
Jill,
came across this post…I started to make a slip cover to a supikilar looking chair, but got stalled. My chair is a bit curvier…a tulip chair. I had problems with the backncurve, but your idea of seaming the back has gotten me back on track…..love your work.
any other bits of advice for covering a chair?
mariann