Simple slipcovers can produce BIG results!

BEFORE

This poor little chair had seen its better days.  Personally, I'm not a fan of this fabric even if it hadn't been worn out, and it was indeed terribly worn.  But don't throw out that ugly or worn chair!  A simple slipcover can make all the difference.

AFTER

This happens to be the companion chair for the one I showed you yesterday.  This one you'll notice is without the boo boo.  I do still have issues with that turn at the seat though.  I'll keep working on that and post a tute soon on how I solve it.

If you have some wisdom, I am all ears.

Thanks for stopping by.  Questions and comments are always welcome.

Happy Wednesday!
Angela

Parson's Chair Slipcover

I have done three of these now and working on a fourth.  The first two were much more difficult, since they weren't the typical parson's chair.  This one was pretty easy; although, I still struggle with making that turn where the seat back meats the seat bottom.  I made this one for my friend, Angela, for her hair salon.  The ones she had were light colored and stained with hair color.  We thought this chocolate color wouldn't show the stains as much.  She uses these chairs at the dryer and nail stations.

We'll also get or make a vinyl piece to go over the top for added protection.  I noticed a glaring boo boo when I snapped this picture.  Can you see it?  Grrrr.....  I had originally planned to hem the skirt panels but really liked the look of the serged edges - that's what caused my boo boo.  Angela has a funky vibe in her shop, so I thought it would blend well. She loved it - boo boo and all.

When I have these down pat, I'll post a tute.  I'm not there yet. :)

These are some other pillows I've been working on for customers and thought I'd share.

This fabric just would not press well.  I even used Eileen's press spray.  Some times it just happens no matter how strong your iron is.  Makes me wonder if a gravity feed iron would be better. Hmmmmm.....

Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you see something that inspires you.  Feel free to ask questions.

Happy Tuesday!
Angela

Bolster Pillow with Coordinating Flange with Invisible Zipper

This was quite possibly one of the hardest projects I've tackled.  It's a bolster pillow made with brown mohair fabric with an animal print flange.  Incidentally, this animal print is made by Coraggio Tzavo at over $300 per yard I hear.  My client picked up these remnants and wanted a pillow. Unfortunately, there wasn't enough for a full pillow, so we improvised.

I promise when I have this technique down, I will post a tutorial.  Why is it so tough you ask?  Because it has a zipper.  You can just barely see it here in the bottom left corner where the mohair meets the flange.

I absolutely love this look and will definitely repeat it.  So hopefully, I'll do another soon.

Doesn't this fabric just look gorgeous?

And would you believe me if I told you I washed it??  Oh the horror!  Yes, I washed $300+/yard fabric.  My client absolutely hates to dry clean anything.  Most of these items go into rental units, so laundering is more affordable.

If you have any suggestions on books or tutorials on these types of pillows, please let me know.  I'd love to pick something up.  The most difficult part is joining the two pieces together after the flange has been attached.

Here is what it looks like before joining front to back.  This is the front.  The back, not shown, has the invisible zip placed between the flange and mohair at the bottom.

Then they are stitched wrong sides together and turned right side out.  Then stitching down the flange near that zip is where the challenge is.  I'll keep working on it though and share when I have it perfect.

Happy Thursday!
Angela

Newlook 6880

This was one of the easiest patterns I've made to date.  Only 2 pieces (3 if you count my additional cord) and elastic.  That's it!  How much easier does it get?

I made 3 pairs of these (only 2 shown) for my great-nephews for Christmas.  Since I rarely have waist sizes, I chose to add a little cord made in the same fabric along with the elastic.  That way they will stay up long enough to get them tied tighter if they need it.

Pattern Description:  Newlook 6880, View F

Pattern Sizing: Children's 1/2 -4

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes

Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes, the best.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I loved the simplicity.  Would liked to have had more size options though.

Fabric Used: 100% cotton blend

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I used pieces of another pattern to get one size 10, since this pattern didn't go up that far.  I also added an inner cord tie along with the elastic.  I added button holes for the cord, but grommets would work too.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Yes, I absolutely would sew it again. And I definitely recommend it to others.

Conclusion: This will definitely be a keeper for me.  It took a bit longer than it should due to pattern matching.  But even then, I managed to get 3 pair made in about 2 hours.  Sewing time was30-45 minutes for all 3.