Tag Archives: linen slipcovers

Slipcover Linen: A Pretty Alternative to Classic Grey

InstaLinen Slate Blue Chair Slipcover

Today I added a gorgeous new color to my list of favorites from Insta Linen’s Brazil Linen collection. It’s color Blue 5.

This grayish-blue shade is a soft slate color that can easily be used as a versatile neutral. It’s a very pretty alternative to classic grey.

I love how Blue 5 works with my customer’s hardwood floors, white walls and beige home furnishings!

Brazil Linen looks best when it’s pre-washed and styled in a relaxed, tailored slipcover. A softy crumpled texture and casual vibe are part of it’s charm and natural beauty.

For more linen slipcover inspiration, check out this pair of Quatrine slipcover copies in Brazil White and a simple cover for a wingback chair in Brazil Off White.

 

InstaLinen Brazil Blue 5 Linen Chair Slipcover

Linen Slipcover Copy for Cisco Sofa

Sofa Slipcover Copy in Natural Linen

Natural Heavyweight Linen for SlipcoversA quality heavy weight linen makes a beautiful and long wearing slipcover. One of my favorites is Manchester Natural Brown.

This linen has a European look & feel that never goes out of style. I especially like the authentic flax color, a warm neutral that works with everything.

Manchester Linen is thick and weighty. It’s best suited for classic, washable slipcovers that have simple details — an ideal choice for my customer’s pair of Cisco sofas.

Easy To Make Washed Linen Slipcover

Off White Linen Chair Slipcover

I recently got hooked on 12 oz. Brazil linen while making a very detailed, traditional sofa slipcover for a customer.

As I was working with this beautiful linen I wondered how it would look in a simple, casual design.  Something with a relaxed fit and no details at all.  I put it to the test and love the results!  Here are a few tips for making your own:

Loose Fit Linen Chair Slipcover

1.  Use a heavy weight linen for best results. For my chair slipcover, I used 12 oz. Brazil Linen in color Off-White from InstaLinen.  Read my review on my Fabric page.

2.  Pre-shrink your yardage. The natural beauty of Brazil linen comes through after it’s washed and dried. It takes on a soft crumple and floppy drape. No hard wrinkles, no pressing necessary. Here’s how I pre-shrink slipcover yardage.

3.  Pin a loose fit.  I loosely pinned muslin on one half of my chair to create a pattern and then cut it out in the linen.  Learn the half pattern method from Paul A. Carter’s videos.

4.  Forget about the details. No need to add welt cord, ties and zipper openings. A slipcover void of detail puts the focus on the lovely linen.

I stitched my simple slipcover on my home sewing machine using a no. 12 size needle.  Linen ravels so be sure to overlock or zigzag the seams.

Sectional Slipcover in Rustic Linen Cotton

Gray Line Linen and Cotton Slipcover for Sectional

Upholstery Linen and Cotton in Color Oatmeal from Gray Line LinenIf you like the idea of a relaxed linen slipcover but don’t want a lot of wrinkle this linen and cotton fabric is a good alternative.

It’s a thick yet supple cloth featuring a tiny box texture that shows off both the un-dyed flax and natural cotton color.  Slubs and nubs are part of its charm. The look is more rustic than refined — think casual farmhouse style. 

Here’s what you can expect when working with this Upholstery Linen in color Oatmeal from Gray Line Linen:

  • High shrinkage. It shrinks 5″ on a one yard length and 3″ on the width. Pre-shrink your yardage in jumbo size washers and driers before you make your slipcover and you’re good to go.
  • Heavy weight.  Sewing multiple layers will require an industrial machine. For projects with simple seams and few layers this fabric will feed through a home sewing machine just fine.
  • Slight give. Fabric eases out a bit when sewing and probably will to the same with wear. Start with a snug slipcover fit and control the give as you sew for best results.

Grey Linen Slipcover Shaped to Fit the Curves

Grey Linen Cotton Custom Slipcover

Curves, tufts and bulges, oh my!  This roly-poly chair was a doozie to slipcover.  I had to tackle it with just the right fabric and a few strategically placed shaping seams.

The fabric:  I used 8 oz. grey linen blend from Big Duck Canvas. It’s the $5 fabric find I told you about earlier this year. It worked like a charm for this project:  pliable enough to drape and shape over the bulges and thick enough to hide the plaid upholstery and tufting.  (As of today it looks like this fabric is out of stock. I knew it would go fast! Check with Big Duck for next availability.)

The fit:  A soft, relaxed fit was the way to go for this chair. Fabric doesn’t lay smoothly over puffy contours without some help from shaping seams. So, I created two of them on the inner back and one over each arm elbow. They’re like princess seams in a blouse. I edge stitched the seams to give them a finished look.

Custom Chair Slipcovers in Grey Linen Cotton