29 November 2010

One Helluva Slipcover!

I sew.  A lot.  I’m self taught.  I’m pretty good at what I do.  But this was a PROJECT and a half!  I had no idea what I was getting myself into making this thing.  And it’s far from perfect but it’s perfect for me.  I started to do a tutorial but as I went along I realized this is one of those things that is going to be different for each and every piece that comes along.  There are going to be little quirks that only the seamstress will be able to modify and figure out.  So bear with me on this one…. At some point I stopped snapping pictures completely because I was so frustrated and I just had to focus and finish it!
Here was my subject.  A sofa I got from Craig's List for $50 but forgot to break my $20 on the way to pick it up and paid $60, humph!
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I bought an 8oz 6x9 drop cloth from Lowes.  Okay I bought two.  I started by laying the drop cloth over the sofa and tucking it into seams and corners to figure out where to start cutting.
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Then I cut and laid more pieces and cut some more.  May I add I was completely winging it!  I had no idea if this thing was going to turn out or not but the drop cloths were only $10 each so it was worth a shot.
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I started pinning seams while the slipcover was on the sofa so I knew I was getting a nice fit.  Then I started sewing.  With each section I finished I would put it back on the sofa to check the fit.  I think I lost ten lbs. since my craft room is in our finished basement and this sofa is on our main floor lol.  I did a lot of up and down! Note to self * Set up sewing table in the same room as furniture next time!*
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The fronts of the arms were a bit of a challenge but turned out better than I expected.  I just cut the shape for the fronts and pinned them to the sides that were already in place.
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At this point I was onto the back.  I had to bring the back, the sides of the arms, the top of the arms and front of the back of the sofa all together on the back corners and I had no idea how I was going to do that.  I didn’t take pictures of this part.  To be honest, it’s not pretty!  I just started pinning and sewing and pinning and sewing and it’s now a hot mess of gathers and folds!  But it’s on the back where nobody will ever see it.  I also left the back corner seams open so I could remove it more easily.
Here is the finished slipcover, minus photo’s of the back.  I don’t want to discourage anyone lol.
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Oh yes and I made a ruffle for around the bottom.  I would have liked to see the outside of the arms be a little more fitted but overall I’m very pleased it turned out this well for my first attempt!
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I’m looking for that perfect coffee table to sit in front of the sofa so I have my purdy bench there for now.  Of course I’m even more pressed to re-cover it now that the bright blue fabric is sitting in my main living area!  Before it was at the foot of my bed so I wasn’t in a hurry to finish it lol.
Anyhow, I hope you got some idea of the process and don’t be afraid to try it.  It’s really only put me out $30 and my time and I’m pretty sure it will hold up for some time.  I won’t be making a business of it quite yet but this is how we learn no??


Don't forget to stop back by starting December 1st for the "Twelve Blogs Of Christmas"!  There will be a fabulous new blogger each day debuting their home holiday decor and on Dec 12th you won't want to miss the "Festival Of Tree's"!!!
~Sommer~



29 comments:

Tammy @ Type A said...

great job!!

Carolyn @ My Backyard Eden said...

Wow Sommer! It looks great! I just started a chair slipcover and I've already run out of gas!

Yours looks perfect! Thanks for sharing at My Backyard Eden!

Rebecca@This Present Life said...

That looks amazing! I have a pink love seat that I've had since college that I've been too afraid to make a slipcover for. But thanks to your inspiration, I think I'm totally going to try it! You did an awesome job! I love how yours turned out!

Saw you at Backyard Eden!

Rebecca said...

You did a great job! I love how it turned out! I slipcovered one of our couches a few months ago, but it was very standard, your ruffles are much more creative.

{Bellamere Cottage} said...

Paint and slipcovers.... A decorator's dream, right? You've done an awesome job... and I think you should be giving yourself lots of pats on the back. I've made many slipcovers and, while it's always a challenge, the results are soooo worth the effort, aren't they?

Warm blessings,
Spencer

Amy said...

Looks great! I hate making slipcovers but am always pleased when they are done.

Leslie {Goodbye, house. Hello, home!} said...

Good for you! This looks so beautiful!
I have two red chairs I have been pondering sewing dropcloth covers for, and after seeing your, Imma go for it! :)
I sew slipcovers, too:
http://goodbyehousehellohome.blogspot.com/2010/06/welcome-come-on-in-our-foyer-music-room.html
and here:
http://goodbyehousehellohome.blogspot.com/2010/03/white-matelasse-slip-covered-wingback.html

Can I use this post of yours as a link "how-to". Would you let me?
Thank you!
~me

Katie Olthoff said...

Gorgeous! I think you did a GREAT job!!! I love the texture of the drop clothes!

Inspired by you said...

Great job! It looks great!

Sandy said...

Looks really good! Someday I will try my hand at this slipcover thing. You did not say you prewashed the fabric-please say you did!

Mykl said...

You did a wonderful job! I can sew just enough to get myself in trouble! But have been wanting to try my hand at a slipcover made from drop cloth. I appreciate the instructions you gave and think I just may give it a shot!

Looks great!

Anonymous said...

OMG!! I am so impressed!

Take care,
Lisa

Erin said...

Aren't drop cloths the best?! I just had a slipcover made for my couch from drop cloths and I love it. It feels so durable and since the material was so economical, I don't sweat my 3yo jumping around on it, etc. Great job and the ruffle is a great touch!

Kim @ A Brush of Whimsy said...

It looks fab! I've always wanted to make one, but I know my limitations! :)

foreverdecorating said...

This is really a beautiful piece of furniture made better with your slip cover. Terry

Emily said...

AMAZING! you should send those sewing skills my way ;-)

A Vintage Vine said...

I too just did a slipcover.....it can be tricky. Your couch turned out great!!! I love the pillow in the middle, it really sets off the neutral color of the slipcover. Keep up the great work!!!

Yanet @ 3 Sun Kissed Boys said...

I can't get over that you did it with drop cloths! It looks great. And the couch at $60 bucks, is still a steal!!

Farah said...

Great Job Sommer, surprisingly amazing... well done... love to be your follower... it looks so beautiful and with such pretty cushion... great...
Wish you a very Happy Christmas …
I would love if you come to visit me at
http://craftaworld.blogspot.com/
Love
Farah

Something Nice and Pretty said...

Love the slipcovers, you did a wonderful job! Especially the ruffle, hard to believe they were dropcloths!

Unknown said...

Great deal on the sofa (even for $10 more) and wonderful slipcover. I really like the ruffle.

Kristi~The Slipcover Girl said...

oh my! this slipcover is ever so grogeous! great job!

Cheryl said...

popped over from pinks blog. You did a great job with it and don't worry about the back. noone sees it but you...it looks beautiful from the front and I love that ruffle.

Homeroad said...

Found you from the Funky Junk Challenge. I think you did a fabulous job on the couch. I'm thinking of trying this myself and seeing how well yours turned out is really getting me ready to start! Thanks!
Susan

BrittanyPorter said...

Did you stitch this together with a machine or by hand?? I can't wait to try this out on the couch my mom just passed down to us! great idea!!

Liz @ the Brambleberry Cottage said...

What a wonderful find that sofa was - even at $60.00. It has gorgeous lines that are even more accentuated by your lovely slipcover.

Blessings,
Liz @ the Brambleberry Cottage
http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

Sommer,

You did a beautiful job on this slipcover. I love the ruffle and the lines of this piece! Tres Chic!

I'm happy to find your blog and look forward to more inspiring ideas!

xx,
Michelle

Wendy said...

A friend sent me this link because I was just telling her I wanted a sofa slipcover with drop cloths. Yours is GORGEOUS! Now will you make ME one? lol Ü

Alaina said...

I think you did a great job for the first one. The most important thing is that you, YOU did it!

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