I’ve been sewing for more than half my life, but one thing I’ve never done is upholstery. I’ve done cushions, quilts & drapes, but never have I actually put fabric ON a piece of furniture. Well, that’s about to change. I got a lovely, comfortable chair for free about a year ago, and we love it for storytime with the kiddos. The only problem is that the previous owner’s cats totally shredded it, so it has a really ugly slipcover on it. I hate slipcovers. They need to be adjusted every time you get up since sitting on them makes them look sloppy.
Since we’ve had the chair for a year and we’re sure we want to keep it, I’ve decided to give it a facelift. Here it is in all its clawed glory…
Now I just need to find some upholstery websites, add up my measurements, and figure out how many yards of fabric this is going to require. Should be fun!
Eureka! You have a blog! Glad to have found it! Can you take pics of the chair in progress? I am dying to see how/what you do! And of course, the fabric choice!
And that knitting thing is fantastic! What will it be? I love the color. I am so happy to have found your blog!
You’re adorable! I haven’t gotten the fabric yet, but yes, I will post pics of the chair as it comes along
What knitting thing are you referring to? The red one? It’s a scarf that I still need to post pictures of *LOL*
Hello Adventuresome one,
As a designer and former sales rep. for a local upholsty company….First I give you a hint about slip covers…After you get all that extra fabric tucked in just like you like it…Sometimes I use a splatula or a kids shovel…Get a piece of PVC pipe about + or- 2″ the width of the back of the seat cushion and the lengths of the arms. Cram those down in after the ‘extra fabric’, you can use really tightly rolled up newspapars but watch the ink if the cover is in a light fabric. Also try wraping extra batting around the cushion to add a little more bulk. Slip covers are not suposed to be tight unless you want to do majior tayloring. This works well for my Dad’s slip covers. He has a Greayhound and they love to ‘raoch’ on the sofa. (Look up roaching greayhounds… your kids will get a hoot from the photos.) I sew also and would probably opt for re-upholstering because custom slip covers often cost more then just re-upholstering…less fabric and less labor. You are probobly looking at min. Secondly…unless it is a brand name chair with a very solid frame you could be throwing out good money. Don’t spend the money on upholstry labor if you don’t by good qyality fabric…look for sale fabric, 100%cotton would work well for this chair. Places like Joannes give 40% off ONE cut of fabric. You will need min. 11 yards and probably closer to 13 to match pattern if you have on. Think about using several different fabrics if you upholsteras well, mix sale with not on sale fabrics for a great look …Get some extra for throw pollows to mix around on other pieces or make a cover for a round table. A friend of mine stores extra blankets and such in a garbage can with a round wood cut out on the to (It could be square as well. We do this with huricane supplies (trach can with wheels on it.) You have a cool loking chair. Access how how the stufing and arm padding is and the smell if cats were it’s last lovers. Set it in the garage or a warm place for a day or two and give it a sniff test…If it went from conditioned air to conditioned ari you mingh not notice until the power goes out!
You can do the slip cover thing too with a bedspread or coverlet Have fun!
marty girl