Tuesday, December 29, 2009

ENTERING SLIGHTLY FOREIGN TERRITORY

Well, I survived yesterday's workout. Thought it might be worse since it had been so long (two weeks is long for me!), but it was a good workout and I felt really good afterward. I love to sweat! eewww, gross, right?! For me, it's a cleansing feeling, and it lets me know I've really "done something".

I ventured out yesterday - first time since last Wednesday. I'll tell you, I could stay housebound for a long, long time. I love being home. If I didn't have to go to work a few days a week and to the grocery store, I would probably make it a good two weeks with never leaving my house.


Anyway, the main purpose for my excursion was to run to Lowes to get a fabric drop cloth. Nooo . . . not for a painting project, but for a furniture slipcover project - hence the title of this post.

I wouldn't say I'm a super-experienced seamstress.
I can quilt,
I've sewn all my window treatments,
I was into doll making for a while,
I've dabbled at some simple apparel projects,
recovered a window seat cushion,
sewn some throw pillows.

Geez, reading that list sounds like I may know what I'm doing . . . really, I don't. I've never tackled a real recover/slipcover project. The chair that's in DESPERATELY need of recovering has had it's upholstery slowly "disintegrating"
I'm almost embarrassed to show you!

See the lovely hole that's forming!

for quite a few years now. Which that in itself makes me angry. This was not a inexpensive piece of furniture. And I'm pretty sure when we picked out the chair and the fabric we wanted on it, we upgraded to a higher grade of tapestry. Guess that was not money well spent.

Plus, I changed the colors in the room a few years ago, and the chair has not matched at all. I've not wanted to toss it because it's super-comfy. It's a reclining chair-and-a-half. So it's nice and roomy for one, or a nice place for two to snuggle.

I've been pretty scared to tackle such a project, and honestly, the thought of spending all that money on fabric - I calculated 10 yards! - for a project that I may slub up a bit was hard. After seeing a few ladies, whose blogs I love, tackle some of their furniture pieces, and showing step-by-step pics, I thought for sure I could handle this!

I was very inspired by Traci at Beneath My Heart and how she used cotton drop cloth material to recover her chair. And, Shellagh at Ticking and Toile shows step-by-step a couple pieces she's recovered.

So, again, I've thrown it out there . . . a project I've been wanting/needing to do for, well, years now. Now I HAVE to finish it! If any of you have any tips/suggestions, or know any other blogs that featured slipcover projects that a beginner like myself could benefit from, please post the link.

Wish me luck! After I wash the fabric, I'm going to start tracing and cutting some of the pieces today. Here goes nothing . . .

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5 comments:

Anne Lorys said...

Good luck, be sure to post pics! :-)
Anne

Paula ~ castleandcottagesigns said...

Oh good luck Carla... I have no true tips except this, measure twice, cut once!! Can't wait to see it done!
paula

Hopemore Studio said...

Wishing you all kinds of luck on this project, I'm sure you can do it and it will be beautiful when it's done.

Angie

The Feathered Nest said...

Hi Carla, You can do this!!!! I was going to do the same thing but do the entire living room suite...we ended up buying a new set and now, I need another one!!! Wash the fabric and use a little fabric softener, it will help it be more pliable. I can't wait to see your progress and one thing that's great is that there's always more fabric where that came from!!! hugs and love, Dawn

Anonymous said...

waiting for a call. Ill come over. very excited. tracy

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