Tag Archives: natural slipcovers

3 Reasons to Slipcover in Summer

Custom Chair Slipcovers Natural Denim

Mary does “summer dress” beautifully.

As soon as warm weather arrives she swaps out her cozy, plush winter decor for fresh, breezy items in a lighter color palette.

Sheer linen curtains replace dark winter drapes. A bouquet of homegrown lilacs take a front and center spot on her mantle. And, her new natural denim slipcovers brighten up her English roll arm chairs.

I got talking to Mary about her seasonal makeover ritual when I was pin fitting at her  home in Lowell, MI. Here are 3 reasons why summer slipcovers suit her lifestyle so well:

1. Instant refresh.  With slipcovers, Mary can create an entirely new look & feel in her living room for the warmer months. Then, when winter returns she can store her summer slips and enjoy the texture and darker colors of her upholstered pieces once again. It’s like having two sets of furniture!

2. Protective and practical. Durable, washable slipcovers are the best way to prolong the life of upholstery. Mary’s home is busy during the summer, welcoming family, friends and pets. Her slipcovers protect her furniture from harsh sunlight, dirt, sweat, spills and muddy little paws.  Who cares if they get dirty — they’re washable!

3. Provides cool comfort.  Cotton denim slipcovers feel cool to the touch, which is ideal for our hot and humid summers here in Michigan. Mary chose a light color and a washed, casual fit for her covers, a comfy combo for laid back summer living.

Want more summer slipcover inspiration? Check out my denim slips in white and natural.

Rocker Slipcover in Natural Denim

Rocker Before Natural Denim SlipcoverSome furniture pieces, no matter how old and worn, are too sentimental to throw out.

My customer’s comfy little rocker has been a family favorite ever since her kids were young. It’s definitely a keeper!

Still in great shape after years of use, this sweet chair only needed an updated look with a custom fit slipcover.

Fabric: 100% cotton 12 oz. natural bull denim from Big Duck Canvas.

Natural Denim Rocker Chair Slipcover

Love Seat Custom Slipcover in Natural Denim

natural-denim-love-seat-arm-w

Love Seat Slipcover in Natural DenimMy customer’s pretty sun room just got a bit brighter with this natural denim slipcover.

I pin fit her love seat with Washed Natural Upholstery Denim — a casual cotton bull denim with a soft drape. This fabric feels lighter weight and less structured than most 14 oz. denims.

Tip:  although this fabric is described as “washed” it still needs to be pre-shrunk. Washed only means the fabric has been finished to feel laundered (soft). Be sure to wash and dry your yardage before making your slipcover.

Favorite White and Natural Canvas for Slipcovers

Summer Slipcovers in Natural Canvas

A simple cotton canvas, also known as duck cloth, makes a great looking and comfy slipcover without spending a fortune on fabric.

Go with white or natural and you’ll get a lot of bang for your buck. Canvas in these soft neutral shades are versatile and have year round appeal.  The look is relaxed and casual. Choose 12 oz. or 14 oz. weight for best coverage and durability.

Here are two of my favorite canvas fabrics:

White 12 oz. cotton canvas I like the clean bright white color and cotton-y hand-feel. It softens up with wash. Very good coverage over most upholstery colors.

Natural #12 weight cotton duck Don’t confuse this #12 weight with a 12 oz. I prefer the #12 weight because it’s woven with 2-ply yarns (instead of single yarns) making it smoother, less grainy and more durable than regular 12 oz. natural canvas. It’s sooooo much nicer than a canvas drop cloth!

Be sure to pre-shrink these canvas fabrics before you make your slipcover. Here’s how I do it to reduce wrinkles.