If you have children, or pets, or anyone who likes to snack while they watch a movie, this one item will change your life! What is it?
The slipcover.
I have three lovely and beautiful children ages 4, 6, and 8. They are the loves of my life. They are also incredibly dirty, extremely sticky, and have questionable discernment.
Need a spot for your new rock collection? The white sofa!
Hungry for some raspberries? Eat them using your toes directly on Mom’s new chair!
Do you see a pattern yet? When we first had our oldest daughter I had daily mini heart attacks as the many bodily fluids that come with a newborn found their way to all of our furniture. Then I finally reached the point where I no longer wanted to be a slave to my furniture. I never want to have a room that my kids are not allowed to use. But I also didn’t want to be replacing furniture on a bi-weekly basis.
Here comes in the slipcover. You will be a happy camper when you find an amazing seamstress. A true treasure of a seamstress will be able to figure out the inner workings of how to create this garmet for your furniture. I have also had my seamstress make another type of slipcover: duvets and pillowcases. When I wasn’t able to find the bedding I wanted for my girls’s bedroom, I had her make custom bedding. Again, a custom look for a fraction of what I would have spent on bedding from a designer store. This room is shared by my two girls, and my friend made custom duvets, pillowcases, and ruffled bedskirts. And if you have ever potty trained a child, then you will know why I’m so glad to have washable duvets!
Or you can go direct and simply buy furniture that is already slipcovered. My hands-down fav is the slipcovered furniture from Pottery Barn. My hubby and I bought a white slipcovered Pottery Barn sofa as newly weds (yes, this was BC-before children!). I can’t tell you how grateful I have been over the last twelve years to be able to wash that thing! (Go back to the part where three kids and three dogs have lived with that white sofa).
And here’s another slipcover I have in my house-that flowered chair in the corner was done over six years ago and going strong!
If you are going to have something custom made, have fun with it! Maybe add a ruffled skirt to the bottom of a chair. Or add fun flowered buttons to a little girl’s duvet. I love the online store Fabric.com for great choices at even better prices.
Some tips when making a slipcover:
-Pre-wash the fabric before giving it to your seamstress
-Choose a fabric that is thick enough to work with, and durable enough to withstand multiple washings. Twills, heavy duty cottons, and denims are good choices
-I wash all of mine in cold water on gentle and I NEVER put them in the dryer
-A zipper is usually the easiest and most durable way to get a slipcover on and off
-Always buy more than you need. Don’t assume you can buy more fabric to complete a job, sometimes the dye lots change day by day. There are guides online that can you give you an estimate for the quantity you will need
-Have fun with the fabric! The very essence of a slipcover is you can take it off!
-Think about the season. Some of my clients have two made: a summer one and a winter one
Need some more inspiration?? If you are going to go white (which I ADORE), I think a slipcover is a must. And it’s true-you can bleach them so most of the stains really do come out:
How can you not love these striped slipcovered dining room chairs? It’s a great way to add some fabric into a space, but still be friends with your BFF’s hubby when he spills his red wine on your chair:
And who says you can’t use a slipcover for the kitchen??
Not loving the idea of going custom? You can buy ready made slipcovers, like this “Tristan” chair starting at just $400:
Sometimes my clients want to keep an existing piece of furniture, but need some ideas to reupholster or slipcover it for a new look. It’s a great way to save money and upcycle. Here’s a Mood Board for a Sitting Room where we kept the client’s existing chairs. I suggested fabric for making slipcover for the cushions: a whole new look for less than $10/yard of fabric!
Need more advice? Have questions for your own project? No problem….let’s chat!
Or let’s hang on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest, where you can load up on free design ideas and tips!
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