Calling all Artsy Craftsy people

[papayahed]

I have an armchair with a matching foot rest/stool/ottoman (Whatever you call it). Something needs to be done with this eye sore, I was going to get rid of it but I think with a little inspiration it could be saved. Currently it is yellow with several large stains (my dogs favorite place to be sick).

Anybody ever reupholster a chair? Make a slipcover?

[motherhubbard]

I am planning to reupholster a recliner toward the end of the month. I read a book once and I'm going to check out another from the library. I figure that nothing much will be lost if I mess it up. I'll just be out the cost of the fabric and so I'm not going to spend much on that. I was thinking a heavy muslin that I'll die- maybe orange

[papayahed]

I was just reading that it's recommended to use upholstry fabic because it wears better and I was wondering if that was really necessary. The material on my chair doesn't seem very heavy duty. I was thinking of a nice leopard print (that might be too much) or a dark purple velvet....maybe.

[Sarasvati21]

Hmm...if it were my chair I'd go the slipcover route, and I think they have sewing patterns for those in arts and crafts stores. I think there are simple ones not too difficult to make. But if making one doesn't work, they also sell them around the bedding/sheets area of wal-mart type stores.

[sprinks]

:lol: This reminds me of our drama class... Our teacher picked up a few chairs off the side of the road during the verge collections for us to use in performances... But some parts were missing so like we needed one that very day and we had to put some planks of wood and material on the seat because otherwise we would have fallen through! :p

[Niamh]

Oooh get it re upholstered. work out cheeper than buying new ones. but just make sure you choose a fabric that you are going to like and not a pssing craze that in seven months you will regret. :)

[motherhubbard]

it is better to use upholstery fabric- it's made to last. I'm going to use the muslin because I don't want to spend that much money and it turn out badly. I fugure it will be a learning experience that I can do again if the fabric doesn't last. I think that the shape of this chair will make it hard to do. I'll try to get a picture and post it. I just wouldn't use a thin fabric. If it's not upholstery it should be heavy.

[papayahed]

Oooh get it re upholstered. work out cheeper than buying new ones. but just make sure you choose a fabric that you are going to like and not a pssing craze that in seven months you will regret. :)


You mean like leopard print or purple velvet?:lol:


Hmm...if it were my chair I'd go the slipcover route, and I think they have sewing patterns for those in arts and crafts stores. I think there are simple ones not too difficult to make. But if making one doesn't work, they also sell them around the bedding/sheets area of wal-mart type stores.

A slip cover could work:idea:

[Nightshade]

yes slip covers better than reupholstaring esp if you get a washable fabric because then you just rip ythe cover off and toss it into th wash every so often so they are always clean plus you can make different covers and rotate them so every so often you can have your lepord print covers...:lol:

[Niamh]

You mean like leopard print or purple velvet?:lol:

:lol: damn! I hope you wouldnt realise what i was getting at!:p

[Shalot]

the problem with slipcovers is that they get all bunched up and wadded up and come loose, especially if you use the chair a lot. You'll end up constantly tucking the stupid thing back into the cushions and tightening it around the cushions. That has been my experience with the slipcovers though maybe I just got the wrong kind.

Currently, my couch, which is pushed up against the wall, has tears in the upholstery on the back side (moving accident -- the poor couch has been through 4 moves so I guess it was due a mishap). I thought about getting a cover for it, but then I remembered how much I hated those. Pushing it against the wall was the best option.

In short, re-cover. If you're dog must puke on it, or whatever, get something dark and busy that hides stains. When we bought our couch, we paid extra to have some kind of stain repellent applied to it. It seems to work. Aside from the tears on the back side, it still looks new.

[motherhubbard]

I agree with Shalot. Those covers shift and twist and never stay in place. I think you could put a little cover (maybe one of those lined table cloths) over it for the dog puke

[Lily Adams]

I would make a slipcover. Easy and cheap. Oh, I see the problem there...maybe you could use those garter things used for beds to make sure it stays in place?

[Nightshade]

eh thats the normal kind of slip cover,that goes over both the seat and the cushion, guess it depends on what kind oof chair it is but if your chair is the kind like this that the cushion comes off, you make one slip cover to go on th frame then make cushion covers ( with zips or ppers or buttns so its like a pillow case) an put the cushions in there and then presto-chango I-love-peanut-butter-sandwichs you have a completly 'new' chair.
and the foot stool if it has legs you can make a covr with tie or if its like this one just a nother slip cover.
The other day saw a 'throw keeper' in a catalge its meant to keep the throw from sliping and sliding http://www.twenga.co.uk/offer/0161015299.html
http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m235/Night-D/112-31_chair.jpg

[kasie]

If muslin is what I think it is, it won't be anywhere near robust enough for a chair cover - I'd go for calico at the very least - unbleached calico that can be washed then dyed used to be fairly inexpensive and is tough. Whatever you use remember that even before you sit on it, you'll be pulling it tight to fit/fasten it.

I had removable covers made to bring some new life to a couple of old settees (and to make them look as though they matched and were meantt to be together) - the cushions on both are loose, so have separate covers, and the main covers are held in place with rolls of foam pushed into the places where the sections join, then covered with the cushions.

I am full of admiration for anyone who tries anything as unwieldy as a chair cover - my machine would throw a hissy fit at the thought of it. It goes on strike at the least provocation - two foot-pedals burned out during a machine embroidery course and I was really getting somewhere with that!

[Beautifull]

i would probably just start new & make a brand new chair..i did it once!
but that way it'll be unique, and just right for you.