My first slipcover!-"how-to"

I have a dream.

... a dream where all my furniture wears a slip.  

...dreamy in creamy skirted fabric.

Today I took one step closer to that dream
with the completion of my very first drop cloth slip cover.

The project itself did not take very long.
My motivation and confidence to start did.
The drop cloth lay draped over the chair for about 4 months.
It is a cute chair. I love the tufts.
But I wanted to "quiet" the blue color with a slipcover
until it can be properly recovered.

Then, all of a sudden, one evening, it struck.  

Inspiration.

I grabbed scissors, some long pins, and 

shed my fear of "making a mistake" and just started.

I pinned.

I cut.

I sewed a semi-straight line.

And I ripped out some stitches.

And sewed again.

And sewed over.

But--in less than 2.5 hours...it was done!

And while she definately has a "good" side that is better than the other...I have to say I am quite proud of my first venture into heavenly slipcover bliss.  :o)

Here's a quasi tutorial to encourage those 
who may be too faint of heart to begin too:

Step 1:

Buy some long pins.

You need them.

Step 2:

 Read some tutorials.

These really help.

I did a while ago...but did not think to review them when inspiration struck.

{I know better...I would have spent the night reviewing instead of sewing. 

So my suggestion is to time your reviewing and inspiration close together.}

Step 3:

 Lay your fabric out and cut and pin to the shape of your chair.

To make it easier, I visualized the slipcover in sections. 

 I cut the skirt part first and pinned directly to the chair.

It is basically a big rectangle that wraps aound the bottom.  

I cut mine longer so I could have some pleats around the legs and back.

Then I cut out the seat part...leaving an allowance of at least 1/2 inch.

Next I cut the front and back parts of the chair.  

These were the toughest because the back is curved. 

 I was not exactly sure how to "cut" it so I started big 

and pinned and trimmed.

I put my pins close to the chair edge-this would become my sewing line.

 

Here's how it looked when I was finished pinning and cutting.

 I liked it.

A little loose because of the curved back...
but I knew if I allowed myself to get frustrated over that,
 it would not get done.
Ever.

So I took it off and started sewing my pin lines.  

I started with the back, 

then added the seat 

and finished with the skirt last.

I fitted it after every seam sewn.

 Here was a fitting.  

{Pumpkin, my biggest fan, liked the slip before it was even finished.}

 Here are my "show-off" pics.

:o)

 The back with planned pleats and tucks.

 

 Do you like my "HOME" burlap pillow?

{I will be blogging about this soon.}

I learned a lot from this project....

most of all...don't be afraid to try something and mess up.

The mistakes can usually be fixed, 

and most of the time only you notice anyway.

{plus dropcloths are easy to get more of.}

I will be trying my skills out on another piece,

...when inspiration strikes.

:o)

sharing with:

Inspired Sunday at Sunday View 
Make It Pretty Monday at The Dedicated House

The Scoop Party at Cedar Hill Ranch  

Dwellings-the heart of the home--Amaze me Mondays

You're Gonna Love It Tuesday-Kathe with an E

Tuesdays at Our Home
Tweak It Tuesday at Cozy Little House

Tutorials, Tips and Tidbits at Stonegable

Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style 

Whatever Goes Wednesday at Someday Crafts

What's It Weds-Ivy and Elephants

share your cup Thursday-Have a Daily Cup of Mrs Olsen

Be Inspired Friday--Common Ground

Create it Thursday-Lambert's Lately

Feathered Nest--French Country Cottage

Shabby Nest-Frugal Friday
Every room in the house party-ajoyfulcottage.com

Fun in functional-Practically Functional

Thrifty Groove-Thrifty Things Friday
Fridays Unfolded-Nancherro.com

weekend bloggy linkup-serenity now

Rooted in Thyme