A rounded back, curved inner back, puffy rolled top and deep tufts. These cozy features on Roxanne’s well-loved arm chair have stood the test time.
Her old chair is still sturdy and very comfortable. Never mind the faded, outdated upholstery. When a chair has good bones, comfy support and classic design the sky’s the limit on updating the look.
Roxanne’s vision for her chair: clean, bright and versatile. She went with a fitted slipcover in natural denim.
Fitted? How in the world do you get fabric to snug smoothly over all of those cushy curves? Continue reading →
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!
Fabric 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.
One chair, four slipcovers. It’s amazing how each slipcover gives the same chair a completely different personality!
The wingback chair featured in these photos is mine. It’s worn & loved and, yes, it has 4 (or more) slipcovers. Years ago, I did a pin fitting on it and created a reusable slipcover pattern. Now, whenever I get the urge to update my decor, I pull out my pattern and tweak the details to design an entirely new look for my old chair.
Fabric choice and style details make all the difference in how your slipcover will look, fit and function. Here are 5 tips to help you design a slipcover you will absolutely love:
1. Enhance your furniture’s best features. Design your slipcover to show off one or more of the unique design elements on your chair or sofa such as arms, legs, arches, wings, etc.
2. Choose a slipcover fit that matches your personal style. Is your style loose and shabby chic? Snug contemporary? Or, relaxed and tailored?
3. Decide on slipcover details before you buy fabric. Consider skirt style – short, long, pleated, tailored or no skirt. Think about seam finish such as top stitch or welt cord — self matching or contrast. Is your fabric a print that requires matching? Be sure to account for these details in your yardage calculation to avoid coming up short
4. Pick a timeless fabric and color for long lasting design appeal. Classic fabrics such as denim, canvas, twill, ticking, linen and matelassé in slipcover weights (10 to 14 oz.) will add longevity to your slipcover. Neutral colors offer the most flexibility when it comes to decorating.
5. Match your slipcover function to the fabric. When choosing fabric consider how you will use your slipcover. If your slipcover will get heavy traffic and require frequent washing go with a durable, heavy weight fabric. If you want your slipcover to be pet and/or kid friendly avoid brushed fabrics (pet hair magnet) and textures that snag easily. And, for occasional use slipcovers that are mostly decorative a medium weight fabric, solid or novelty, will work fine.
