Author Archives: slipcovermaker

About slipcovermaker

I'm Karen, The Slipcover Maker. I make custom slipcovers inspired by casual, comfy living spaces and natural fabrics.

Slipcover Maker News: Oatmeal Fabrics, DIY Tips & My Move

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SLIPCOVER STYLE: RUSTIC OATMEAL

Cotton Linen Oatmeal Slipcover

What exactly is oatmeal fabric? It’s a cotton-linen blend, or poly-linen, woven with two colors: natural and undyed flax. Most oatmeals take on a grainy texture and rustic appearance after washed. The flecked cloth is a versatile alternative to solid neutrals such as natural and beige.

Cotton Linen Oatmeal Home Decor Fabrics

Look, feel and weight vary greatly in oatmeal fabrics. So does the performance i.e. coverage, level of wrinkle, washability, etc. Explore! Here are several I like for home decor:

  1. Cypress from InstaLinen. A light weight 100% linen in a gray-tone oatmeal color. Too light for slipcovers but works beautifully for other home decor projects: shade valances (shown above), kitchen towels, pillow covers, lamp shades, curtain panels and more.
  2. Linen Slub from Big Duck Canvas. A textured 14 oz. polyester-linen blend.
  3. Latin from InstaLinen. This medium weight cotton-linen blend has a rustic, grainy appearance and works well for slipcovers that get moderate use.
  4. Vintage Linen Blend from Big Duck Canvas. A soft 12 oz. linen-cotton with a subtle fleck.
  5. Cotton Linen Blend from Big Duck Canvas. A pronounced basketweave with a soft hand.
  6. Boyd Natural from Calico Corners. I used this fabric for the chair slipcover shown above. It’s a medium weight cotton-linen blend that takes on a rustic texture after washed.
  7. Washed Grainsack from Pottery Barn. An upholstery weight poly-cotton-linen blend.

DID YOU KNOW?

You can find affordable used furniture at Habitat for Humanity ReStore. Chairs and sofas in good shape just waiting for a slipcover makeover.

This medium weight, tightly woven chino twill is a good option for making slipcovers when your home sewing machine can’t stitch through thick denim.

Big Duck’s #12 weight canvas is different than 12 oz. canvas. Both work for slipcovers but #12 weight is made with 2-ply yarns, which means it’s more durable and less grainy.

FABRIC BUYING TIP

Don’t judge fabric by the price. Fabric priced at $25 per yard isn’t necessarily a better choice for slipcovers than a $10 fabric. Just as a $5 fabric isn’t really a steal if it pills, shrinks-up or stretches out soon after you start using your slipcover. Shop smart. Buy a one yard cut to test shrinkage, coverage and durability before you commit to yardage.

NEW WORKROOM

This month I’m celebrating my 6th year in business and a move to my new workroom here in Michigan! I’m now tucked into a small, efficient live/work space with lots of natural light, wood floor and nature views. No commute and less stuff to manage. Yay! I’m looking forward to sharing my work with you from my little creative spot.

All for now!  –Karen

Slipcover Linen Favorite: Washed Navy Blue

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Navy Blue Linen Chair SlipcoverA request for a washed, navy blue linen slipcover is a sure sign of spring!

For this project I updated Roz’s vintage channel back chair with Brazil, a 100% linen in color navy blue 6 from InstaLinen. Brazil is offered in different shades of navy but no. 6 is my favorite. I love this dark inky color. It has just the right amount of black to make it a classic navy.

I’ve worked with Brazil several times and it never fails to impress. It’s a 12 oz. that is weighty and offers good coverage over worn upholstery.  The after washed look is beautiful! I rarely press this linen after I pre-shrink it (you can, but don’t have to). It comes out of the dryer with a soft dimpled texture  and floppy drape — like a quality linen should — but never any hard wrinkles. Be sure to follow my pre-shrink instructions.

Custom Chair Slipcover Navy LinenRoz’s vision for her new slipcover was casual with a tailored fit….and a little pleated skirt, which I will be adding. Cute! That’s easy to achieve with this type of linen. It’s versatile and works well for many different slipcover designs.

Want to learn more about linen? Check out my article, 4 Things to Look for When Choosing Slipcover Linen. 

Channel Back Chair Slipcover

Slipcover Maker News: Black & White Style, Pin-Fit Tip, DIY Makeover

Stay inspired! Sign up to follow my blog and get my slipcover tips, resources and news.

SLIPCOVER STYLE: SIMPLE BLACK & WHITE

Stylist Angie Wendricks at Country Road Living takes a minimalist approach to styling her country farmhouse in a calming palette of black, grey, white and wood tones.  Inspiring!

Black and White Slipcovers

Slipcovers by Karen Bean used Fritz, a simple stripe in black & white cotton linen, to create this chic cover. I like how she wrapped the stripe around the front cushion instead of breaking up the pattern with welt cord.

Maryal and Chris at Love & Specs share their living room makeover all done up in a fun mix of black & patterns and textures. Their buffalo check chair is fabulous!

Want to go beyond classic stripes and buffalo checks? Try a black & white novelty print like a floral or geometric. A few ideas for medium weight slipcovers are:  (Top) Belmont Metal, (center) Good Vibes Ebony and (bottom) InstaLinen Floral Black White

FABRIC FIND

Linen Cotton for Slipcovers

Look what I found at Tonic Living:  Cleary linen-cotton, a supple heavy weight fabric in a lovely bleached cream color called Twine. Looks perfect for casual, washable slipcovers doesn’t it? Remember, test a yard to make sure it can be washed and dried with good results. Photo from Tonic Living.

PROBLEM SOLVED

Pin Fit Tip for Chair Slipcover

Figuring out exactly where to place the arm seam on an English rolled arm chair can be tricky the first time. To take the guesswork out of it create a guide from string and secure it with straight pins. Then, follow it as you pin your slipcover fabric. Once you get the feel for the placement you’ll be able to pin the seam in just the right spot on future projects without the guide.

MAKEOVER IDEA

I love creating furniture makeovers even when they don’t involve a slipcover. When a friend inherited this old secretary I immediately saw it as a home office with a small foot print and lots of storage.  With a little bit of wall paper and some stylish organization we gave her sentimental piece new purpose.

All for now!

Custom Gingham Slipcovers for Welsey Hall Chair

Slipcover Makeover for Welsey Hall Chair

I had a burst of color and pattern in my workroom last week. My customer’s pair of Welsey Hall armchairs and ottoman came in for a slipcover makeover in a cheery gingham check. Fabric: Roth & Tompkins Chester Gingham, color Sienna/Wheat.

They are going to look so pretty next her family room sofa and chair slipcovers in cream linen cotton that I made last year.

Roth Tompkins Gingham Slipcover Sienna

Charcoal Canvas Slipcover Custom-Fit for Pottery Barn Chair

A custom-ft slipcover in charcoal cotton-poly canvas for my Kalamazoo customer, Andrea. It’s just what her Pottery Barn chair needed to look new again. Farewell old brown slipcover!

Pottery Barn Slipcover Copy in Grey CanvasSlipcover Fabric Cotton Poly Canvas GreyFabric for this project: 12 oz. cotton-poly canvas, color charcoal. Look closely and you will see a subtle two-tone color effect.  Love that!

This durable canvas is made with 11% polyester, which softens the wrinkle and adds strength.  It takes on a wonderful relaxed French Laundered look after it’s washed. It has a more upscale, substantial look than basic cotton canvas.

Great for family-friendly, washable slipcovers that get moderate to heavy traffic.