hate me, why didn’t I straighten out the slipcover first?
I made this beautiful white slipcover last weekend. And by “I” I mean, my friend in real life, the slipcover whisperer from Pink and Polka Dot. She is a self taught slip cover queen. And also, the title of this post is a lie. I am not going to be telling you how to make the slipcovers, but I can tell you where to find out how to make them. It’s easier than you might think.
Here we all are Tiny Twig, The Nester, Pink and Edie. And our victims, an office chair and my $12 thrifty wing back chair. I know it’s hard to tell because of my mad photo shopping skilz but Edie wasn’t actually able to make it for the weekend. So I just snuck in a photo of her to make it look like she was here. We so missed her.
I used about $50 worth of white canvas or duck or something like that. I just asked my fabriteer what people use for white slipcovers. They can also tell you how many yards to get for your item. Then you need to wash it in hot water and dry it so it shrinks before you sew it.
Pink commented on the fact that I should have found a curvier chair for my first slipcover. I think she was being sarcastic.
I am not even going to try to tell you what we are doing in every photo. Not because it’s hard or impossible to remember but because Pink has already done the hard work of creating an ebook so the world can know her secrets.
Basically we cut pieces of fabric the shape of the chair and pinned it all together, I couldn’t believe how easy it was once we got the hang of it.
Doesn’t it look like something out of the Curious Sofa’s Halloween Extravaganza?
We basted everything with black thread. Basted is fancy talk for let’s pretend we are in the 1800′s and get out a needle and thread and do really big stitches around where we pinned everything so that it will help hold all these pieces together. Then we all started sewing. Including Edie.
Here’s Twiggy’s slipcoverd chair~she is so adorable.
Because I am Nellie Olsen, I decided it was imperative to have the most elaborate, labor intensive, persnickety skirt possible for my slipcover. Much to my surprise, Pink was all for it and knew just how to attack making the little knife pleats all around the bottom. She’s almost like a slipcover mistreater, she knows all the cheats to make slipcovering easy and not intimidating but also is smart enough to know how to make it so it won’t fall apart when you wash it.
Here’s Pink, slaving away. In my defense, I actually did sew the entire body of the slipcover all by myself. But she did all the real work.
It took the four of us from 10ish in the morning until 5ish at night to do the two chairs. Edie was no help whatsoever though and Twiggy left at 2ish when her chair was done. I think it was one of the most rewarding things I’ve done in a long time. Not that raising boys and stuff isn’t rewarding but there is something about seeing immediate results that is so invigorating.
The chair has claimed it’s rightful place as my most adorable piece of furniture I’ve ever owned. I am in love. I wish I would have done it sooner. And I feel totally confident that I could recover another chair all by myself.
If you love white slipcover but think you can’t have them because you have kids and animals, read about Pink’s experince with white slipcovers. She’s had them for years. However, it is a commitment to wash them from time to time. Here are a few comments from the post I did the other day when I asked if you like white slipcovers.
If you are ready to take the next step and want to know how to make your own slipcovers you will want to invest in a little $10 ebook that Pink wrote. {disclosure, I get $2 for everyone that sells for being an affliate, I’m going on a shopping spree at the dollar store right after this} Click on the button to the left to find out more about the ebook. It will coach you through slipcovering the universe.
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Lastly, before you need to go trim your 5 inch long fingernails, shave your wool legs and meet your new grandchildren for the first time, after reading this post, would anyone out there be interested in coming to my house sometime in the future to learn how to do slipcovers with me and Pink and hopefully Twiggy and Edie? We could um…practice on my sofa. It would be like a sweat shop fun hangout time for you to learn how to make slipcovers while I watch everyone sew serve up iced coffees and entertain you. You would need to be able to get here to the Charlotte area, know how to sew {just VERY basic sewing nothing at all fancy} and bring a sewing machine.
test
I love the slipcover, now I know what I need to do to cover my chaise. Thank you
Hi! I came across this website and it is wonderful! I am looking to buy a zebra print slipcover for my wingchair. Do you have any suggestions or do you know who would make one for me? I can send measurements and pictures of the chair.
Thank you!
Kelsey
Hi, I make slipcovers professionally. Your white slipcover is beautiful. It has that unique rumply charm. There is lots of practical info on my site, or send me questions- I would be happy to answer them!
suz
I have started making a slipcover for my sofa with the help of a friend. she cut and fitted it and then left. i did make two loose cushion covers that turned out great, i like things to look good, but i am now having a hard time getting back to it and finishing, so i am looking for someone who will finish for me. i also have a love seat cover to make. help, i have started and now can’t finish. thanks for any and all help.
For those who think WHITE slipcovers are impractical – think again! Since 1980 I have always had a white slipcover on my sofa and it’s the easiest thing to clean – throw the whole thing in the washer with bleach and VOILA! What’s easier than that? Just don’t dry it completely. Put a slipcover back on when it is damp. This is not a case of form over function, but form AND function. Besides, the original quote is always taken out of context. It was not intended to choose one or the other. Good design is form AND function – always. If you have to choose one, than it’s not good design.
My only criticism is that the slipcover doesn’t fit well…but a very nice attempt.
Just want to tell you I have made 2 sets of slipcovers for my couch and chair. First set cost me a about $200.00. The second set cost me nothing but the price of cording. $5.00. I took my bedspred and 2 sets of drapes all white and made slipcovers for my couch and chair. You are right white is the only way to go.I am living in Mesa AZ. and found a outlet store and plan to make slipcovers for 2 chairs we got for for $10.00 each at a yard sell. they really a great bargain. But I have a question . the chairs are high backs with a custion attach and I do not know how to attach the back to the cushions. Hope someone can give me some help on this. Thanks for your pictures of the chair. Donna
Gorgeous slipcover, great idea, and what great savings!
Wish your friend could come to my house and cover my green wing chair. No matter how easy they say it is, I am hopelessly all thumbs in even the semi-sewing dept. :)
My current dog is 7 years old, and my previous dogs lived for 14 and 15 years respectively. My dogs are big, and all have been allowed on the furniture. My own opinion, which I can support with hard-won experience, is that any print is better than any solid when you have animals, for the simple reason that the print hides dirt and stains. Leather would be the only exception, as it has shadings and some things can be wiped up which would sink into fabric. As for white, you can bleach it, but it shows dirt between washings, so it ends up depending on how long you want to wait and your tolerance for living with imperfection.
Your slipcovers look great!! Here’s something that’s confusing me, though. You cut and pinned the material together, then basted it. I get that part…but they would be inside out. So, after you sewed them on the machine, did you turn them inside out?
Thanks,
Joy
yep!
I stumbled upon this webpage – you make me laugh!
The visuals help a lot. I’ve got small ones so I’ll have to find the time but I really want to take on this project but might take me several days…..
I’m going to try and transform a Victorian sofa into something a little more modern and updated. Emphasis on simple
I’ve got a dear friend who lives in Charlotte, great city!
L
I adore the fact that you have friends who love to sew together, do projects together, and not mind if they’re photoshopped in. How fantastic!!! I may just have to donate to your Dollar Store spree, because this looks like all sorts of fun and I most definitely need guidance when taking on the slipcovers. I have many thrifty finds to pick up after the move across the country, sure to need coverings…thanks for sharing! Cheers!
PS. Did I mention that I absolutely adore you, too? I love this little kingdom of your in the vast Land of Internets, it’s rather delightful…
Nice slip cover. I have been looking at The Empty Nest –Janet Metzger teaching Slip covers also..Seeing yours and hers I do need to try these. So I bought a nice $40 club chair for my Den.
Stephanie
I have bought the ebook and am getting up the confidence to do this. What I need help with is the amount of fabric to buy. According to “Pink’s” blog, the chart she posted, I need 10 yards for a wingback chair. Is that right?
hmm, I know it’s like months later but that seems like a lot to me?
I got inspired after seeing this today, so I ran by a chain fabric store in town, and they have little cheat sheets giving the approximate amount of fabric for different styles of chairs, couches and ottomans. My basic living room chair was 7 yards. I don’t know if this is inflated somewhat, or not, but it’s probably what I’ll go with.
LOVE this post! funny, too. Timing couldn’t be more perfect seein’ as how I just scored some lovely…ahem, curvy … wingback chairs myself. I’ve read other posts on slipcovers and they always make it seem so complicated. The tip about basting is key. Thank you!!! What a great blog : )
Your slipcovers look very nice and absolutely love the relaxed charm. I have 2 dogs and 2 cats and am looking forward to slipcovering my wingback and sofa. Your article is a fun read, and I enjoyed it. I love Charlotte and would drive there (it’s 4 hrs for me) to sew and make slipcovers…can I bring my sofa for us to practice on?
This was so helpful.. I am going to start covering a chair and ottoman I bought at a thrift store for $20. Can’t wait to post before and after pics.