Three Creative Things | no. 3
My workroom has been humming with activity this month. The Slipcover Maker’s busy season has officially started! To get ready, I gave my workroom a deep clean and restocked supplies. It feels good to take on new projects in a fresh, organized space.
Speaking of supplies, I have a terrific resource for sew-on hook & loop tape (Velcro). Country Brook Design sells a variety of widths and yardage amounts. I use a few different sizes in basic colors for slipcover closures, hems, decks and inside arm seams. Quality, prices and customer service are excellent. I’m not an affiliate — just wanted to share one of my favorites.
Okay, on with my Three Creative Things for April: upcycling a Waverly slipcover, the perfect wingback chair, and armchair traveling with my favorite magazine. Enjoy!
What I’m Working On
I’m upcycling an unused, ready-made slipcover! I will be turning it into a custom-fit cover for my armchair.
This is a loveseat cover made by Waverly and was sold at Target in 2000. It’s a semi-fitted, one-piece design that slips on and is secured with ties and a few elasticized seams.
Obviously, it won’t fit my armchair even with modifications. I decided to deconstruct the cover and reuse the cotton gingham to create a different slipcover style to fit my chair. I think there will be just enough fabric.
The project is off to a good start. I will share my process and the end results in an upcoming post. Stay tuned!
What I Found
I finally found the perfect wingback teaching chair!
I can’t tell you how many thriftstores, resale shops, estate sales and craigslist posts I searched over the past two years. Most wingbacks I came across had complicated wing shapes, tight seats, telephone arms, a tufted back or other features that were not pin-fit friendly for beginners.
When I spotted this classic design, I knew instantly it would be an easy one for you to learn the fundamentals of slipcover making using the right-side-out pin fit method. I will be featuring it in my next printed guidebook.
I also found this 10 oz red yarn-dyed denim on ebay. A medium-weight cotton denim woven in a color other than indigo is a rare find. I’m excited about using it for the wingback slipcover.
What I’m Inspired By
Magazines have been a constant source of inspiration for me as long as I can remember. The curated page layouts and personal stories never fail to draw me in and spark ideas.
I enjoy reading a wide range of publications that speak to my creative interests: textiles, interior design, gardening, cooking, sewing, crafting, decorating, and fiber arts.
However, if I had to pick only one, it would be Selvedge Magazine.
This aesthetically beautifuI magazine shines a spotlight on skillfully made textiles from around the world and shares the stories and lives of the talented makers. It’s rich with articles about cloth, culture, and creativity.
Spending time with each issue is like armchair traveling. I go to far-away places, meet fascinating artisans, learn new things and soak up the beauty. If that’s not inspiration, I don’t know what is!
Here’s a lovely video trailer of Selvedge’s current issue 130. The magazine is offered in print or as a digital download.
You amaze me! so resourceful and so kind to share it all. With your beautiful photographs. Thank you Karen!
You’re welcome, Julie!
I can’t wait to see how your red denim wingchair turns out….I love the idea of a denim cover on a very traditional chair. And, while I think that magazine looks fabulous, it’s a little pricey for me. Are the issues more like books than magazines?
Thanks for the inspiration!
Paula — a casual cotton denim slipcover on a traditional chair is my favorite! Yes, Selvedge Magazine is pricey. It’s a unique publication, very different than mainstream magazines in terms of the quality of content. I wouldn’t call it a book but it’s the type of magazine that I like to keep in my reference materials for the visuals. It’s 9.5 x 9.5 inches and a 100 pages. Very nice paper quality. And no advertisements on every other page like most magazines. I like that I can pick and choose which issues I want to buy — I don’t have to subscribe to an entire year (6 issues).
That’s really good to know. Thanks
I’m so looking forward to the finished chair covered in red denim. That fabric is too fun!
Me too, Julie! I love that red denim. It’s fun and good quality.