Keep Smiling

Keep Smiling

Friday, March 6, 2015

Making A New Slipcover :)

I'm always finding new things to do . . .
this week it was making a slipcover
for my comfy TV watching chair.



I saw this fabric and fell it love . . .



Brown is okay, 
but all of our upholstered furniture is brown.
It's a good natural color . . .

 but doesn't this look cottage cute?

   Before I covered the foot stool part of the chair,
I added backing and batting and then I quilted it.
I wanted it to be stronger because we all know 
it will get more wear and tear :)

I already had this quilt,
so I pulled it out to go over the couch
and match the colors in the chair.

 Butchy's favorite place to sit is on the 
back of the couch . . . looking out the window.

He doesn't shed, but he's still a dog,
so I like to protect the couch.

*Notice: The light post outside the window,
that is a new addition to our little bungalow,
only a couple months old.  
The post was there when we moved in, 
but the wires were old and there was no light.  
I bought that one at Lowe's :)  

Well, that's one of the things that I've been up to.

How about you . . .
What have you been doing this week?

Keep Smiling,
Connie :)



61 comments:

  1. Man, Connie! That is one of the best fitting slipcovers I have ever seen. You really ought to do a tutorial on how to do that one of these days. You did a marvelous job and I LOVE that fabric, too. xo Diana

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    1. Hi Diana, my sweet friend and neighbor gave me a couple of great tips for making slipcovers fit nice and stay put. In the back you will see a flap. I had to make that because the chair is a recliner and has to be able to have give to move back, but the fabric that goes behind the flap is carefully pinned with upholstery pins to give it a good snugged up fit. I also used them on the front around the legs to snug it all up. They are placed on the inside (underside) so they are not seen or will never poke you. Then to keep everything from shifting and pulling out the trick is to roll up some old magazines, put rubber bands around them to hold them (I used ponytail bands) and then push them down behind and at the sides of the seat. Then are out of sight and they hold everything firmly in place :) Pretty cool, right? My friend Shirley has so many great tips and practical down to earth good common horse sense . . . I love that in a person. I wish everyone was so blessed to have such a sweet and precious friend :) By the way, last night while watching TV, I squirmed around and got in and out of that chair a dozen times to see if everything would stay put. It worked great . . . and never pulled out at all :)

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  2. A great example of how one change can uplift the entire room

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    1. Thanks! I got a great deal on that fabric too. Six yards for $24 . . . can beat a deal like that :)

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  3. You did a great job! The chair looks SO different. xx

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    1. Good Morning Liz, thank you so much . . . it is nice to have a change now and then :)

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  4. Love the fabric and I love that photo with the red sofa and the yellow walls - my color scheme!

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    1. Hi Carol, they are colors that make you happy, right :)
      My prayers are with you today . . . hoping for good news from your doctor.

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  5. It looks great! It's very encouraging too as I have a recliner I need to recover/slipcover too and keep putting it off because of the foot part that raises up. I wasn't sure how it would look. But, yours looks great! Enjoy! :-D

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    1. Thank you, I just added a hem all the way around and ran elastic through it. It fits nice and snug :)

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  6. That's the best looking recliner I have ever seen, Connie! : ) Great job on your slipcover!

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    1. Wow! Thank you . . . that is might sweet to hear, music to my ears, LOL

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  7. I love your chair cover. I wished I could do that with our recliner in the bedroom. I tried to do it one time and it looked like something that Lucy would have done in I Love Lucy show. HA! HA!

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    1. Dear Sweet Betty, Your reference to Lucy struck my funny bone and gave me a good laugh. If I lived closer I would come over and help you :)

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  8. I agree with the others a job well done. Also love the fabric choice very pretty and bright.

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    1. Thanks so much . . . it's always fun to change things up a bit, especially in our home, right :)

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  9. wow, is there nothing you can't do? That chair looks great. I love the quilt on the couch too. I'm quite fond of the red/brown color combination

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    1. Hi Ann, thank you :) Now that our weather is getting pretty, I'll be spending more time outside, so it's a good thing that I did this, this week. Next week we are expecting temperatures in the low to mid 60's all week. I hope this early spring doesn't get followed with a big frost . . . we have a lot of orchard industry in our state.

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  10. Connie, thanks for stopping by my blog. I replied to your comment. You did a nice job on slip covering your chair. I'm not sure I'd have the skill to do a slipcover. I'll do some reading here and catch up on what you've been up to. Have a great weekend!

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    1. Good Morning Joy, I'm drinking my morning coffee and getting woke. It is suppose to be warm and sunny here today, so I am going to work out in the yard today :) Soaking in the sunshine while the rest of the country is buried in snow should make me feel a little guilty, but did they feel guilty when Mount St Helen's buried us in 4 inches of ash, LOL The thing about snow is that it eventually melts, ash doesn't do that. You scrape it off your roof, your car (very carefully or it will scratch the paint), your lawn, etc. Can you imagine waking up to 4 inches of abrasive Ajax or Comment all over everything you own . . . that was what it was like. Abrasive little gray dirt. Wow! What got me on that big rampage . . . maybe I am feeling guilty of or pretty weather and I'm trying to justify it :) Here's wishing you a sunny warm day, today or in your near future :) Thanks for the sweet comment, I am happy that you like my slipcover :)

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  11. One word.....adorable! I would have never imagined a recliner could look so cute! I love the fabric! So perfect! Have a happy weekend!

    Blessings, Vicky

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    1. Good Morning Vicky, thank you so much, you always leave comments that warm my heart. You're a little sweetie pie :)

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  12. Evening Connie, You've out done yourself with this recliner slip cover! What a great look!! I have always loved toile! I had it in my farmhouse at my kitchen window. Your light post is pretty through the window...so country sweet! Blessings~~~and keep that pretty sewing ideas coming! Roxie

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    1. Hi Roxie, it is great to hear from you. I do hope that your weather is clearing and that spring is getting ready to bless your community. I know that you are like me and want to get some things done outside around your little cottage :) This was a fun make over . . . it's always fun to work on a project and have it come out being something you are happy with. I think that I will be enjoying this chair-cover for a long time. Then when I don't anymore, I'll just cover it again :)

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  13. Hi Connie, you did a great job on the chair....and you quilted the foot rest, too. Wow! I have a chair in my bedroom that needs covering. Your post started me thinking that maybe I can try this. We'll see. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Hi Laurie, it really isn't hard to do, but each chair is totally different . . . I was a little bit hesitant, because this is a recliner and you have moving parts to deal with, but it's like everything else . . . one step at a time :) Things look difficult, but broke down into steps, there is nothing we can't handle.
      We're women hear us roar, LOL.

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  14. Love your slip cover, sure wish I could make them. Nice Quilt nice change from Brown Happy Weekend with love Janice

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    1. Hi Janice, thank you, you are so sweet . . . I'm sure you could do this. If I lived closer I would help you :)

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  15. Is there anything you can not do :).. Awesome cover you made for that chair.

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    1. Hi Becky, I am a Jill of all trades and a master of none, LOL :) Thanks for the compliment, you're so nice.

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  16. Your chair is fabulous, love the material. Did you make the quilt on the sofa too? The lamp outside the window is perfect, just like an old street light. I hope you have a lovely weekend xxxx

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    1. Good Morning Fran, (well it is morning here) I'm drinking my morning coffee and reading and answering comments. I am delighted that you like my slip cover. I did not make the quilt. In fact I purchased it way before I even thought about trying to quilt myself. I'm loving the light post, before the house had a pole and old wires where there used to be a light. It was one of the many things on our to do list. We still have a place in the living room with wires coming down from the ceiling. I have the light for that, but Steve is so busy, he can only do so much each weekend and still get a little rest from work. One day it will all be done . . . kind of like your barge. We have done a lot and it is very comfortable, but there is more to do. I'm so happy that you dropped by, I always love seeing your smiling face in my comments. Here's wishing you and Pete a lovely weekend.

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  17. WOW,love your blog and LOVE Buchy,sooo cute.You are a very clever lady.

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    1. Good Morning Lee, thank you so much . . . you're a sweetie pie :)

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  18. Ohhhh, I love your new slip cover!!! I would never be brave enough or have the fainest idea how to tackle a project like that. Love the quilt too! If you made it what were the dimensions of your different blocks? Love the colors. Nice lamp pole!! Your place is darling. Nancy

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    1. Hi Nancy, thank you so much . . . I did not make the quilt, it is one that I bought several years ago, way before I even though about quilting myself. It just happens to go well with the fabric a bought to make the slipcover :) Slipcovers are not that hard to make. They are like everything else, when you break them down step by step . . . they just come together :) I hope that you are having a lovely weekend :)

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  19. Oh Connie, you are so brave & talented... I have wanted to try my hand at upholstering,,, but I just can't quite get up the nerve to actually do it...
    Your lil Butchy is adorable!

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    1. Be brave young women! It is easier than you think :)

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  20. OMG...You can do anything!!! I would never attempt to slip cover a recliner..You did a great job!! Love seeing sweet Butchy!!

    Carol

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    1. Carol, you are my hero, because you are the one that can do anything. The hardness part to figure out was where the front of the arms come down and have to fit and leave room for the footrest to go in and out. I called my friend Shirley and she came over, she is so talented and filled to the brim with common sense. She suggested upholstery pins. So, that is what I used to tuck the bottom of the front legs in nice and tight. I had to lay on the floor to work in under the foot stool. They're all pined way inside out of few and out of "stick you", LOL. I've squirmed in the chair and gotten up and out of it many times and it is staying nice and tight :)
      I have been enjoying all of your preparations for the Polka Dot Flea. I'm going to copy your stamped ribbon as soon as I find the right stamps :)

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  21. Wow Connie! You did an amazing job on one of the most difficult pieces of furniture- a recliner! You should be very proud!
    Teresa
    Cozy Cottage Slipcovers

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    1. Oh my Goodness! That is a huge compliment, coming from you. You have made my day, thank you :)
      Also, thanks for visiting my little blog, it is a pleasure having you here.
      I wish I could serve you cake and tea and have time for a long visit:)

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  22. That looks wonderful, such a Beautiful way to brighten up the room, you did a wonderful job with it, and your quilt looks great on the coach too!!!

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    1. Hello Connie, thank you. It is always fun to do a project in the house. Now I need to go back to the store and buy a bit more of that fabric and make a couple throw pillow covers to match :)

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  23. I am always amazed at what you're coming up with...slipcovering a recliner chair? I can't even imagine. It looks so professional, too. (PS - I love the fabric.)

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    1. Hi Melanie, thank you so much. I like that it gave the living-room a little cheery change. Now I need to make a couple throw pillows to match :)
      I do hope that you are feeling better, and wish that I could share my sunny day with you :)

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  24. Hi Connie, I'm not sure if I have already commented. My brain is a bit scrambled at the moment. So whether I have or not I can express again how much I love this project. I'm not sure I have the courage to try something so ambitious but I sure enjoy watching you do it. You could have a slipcover for every season if you wanted. I specially like the quilt you have paired with it. You definitely have the artists eye.

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    1. Good Gloriade, I had the same idea about making different slipcovers for different times of the year, but now that Spring as finally showed her head around here, I just want to be outside doing yard work and outside home improvement jobs. It's hard to sew and be inside when the weather is so pretty :) Yesterday our temperature reach 70 degrees. I got four of our outside window sills painted and want to turn the corner today and get another side painted.

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  25. Hi Connie! Your so sweet to check on me :) My computer was messed up until January so I just read posts but couldn't comment from my phone because it would post three times. Now that my computer is fixed I'm just not in the habit of blogging and I've been so busy with my kids this year. My oldest is a Senior and my little one is in too many sports. Thanks again for checking in. I'm alive and well just busy as always :)))
    I love your chair! The fabric is fabulous! You are so amazingly talented!

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    1. Good Morning Kelly, it makes my day to know that you are doing well. Sometimes life gets very busy, especially when you have kids still at home. I've been an empty nester now for a long time, but I just love the busyness that comes my way when our granddaughters visit. By the time they go back home, I realize why we have our children when we are young. It take a lot of energy being a Momma. Enjoy your family and keep in touch.

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  26. I am amazed! You did a fantastic job slipcovering the chair! It looks great Connie! I have a chair that I throw a blanket over.. it needs help. Maybe I'll try to make a slipcover one day. You have inspired me :)
    I've been painting my kids bathroom. The walls, the ceiling, and now I'm thinking about painting the cabinets. I'm about ready for a craft project.. that always relaxes me.

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    1. Hi Sherry, sounds like you are a busy girl. It is so much fun to transform a room and make it new again. We just gotta love paint :)
      Our weather turned so pretty around here, that I have been working outside. Yesterday I painted the outside trim around four of our new windows. New got them in too late last fall to paint them then. So today I plan on turning the corner and painting more on another side of the house. Slowing working my way around, LOL. The older I get, the more that I realize that I cannot do it all in one day, like then I was young :)

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  27. Your slipcover is fabulous! Your work is beautiful! I just might have to make some slipcovers one of these days too.... although mine wouldn't be half as fabulous as yours I'm sure!
    big hugs,
    Cheryl

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    1. Hi Cheryl, you are too modest . . . with your sew skills, your slipcover would totally out shine mine. I'm happy that I could inspire you :)

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  28. Oh Connie! That slip cover on the recliner... a show stopper! I think it does look very cottagey! I have a mauve recliner in my living room. I got it from my Mother in love... after she passed, it came to my house. It is outdated and Mauve-- and won't give out! A slip cover would be just the ticket to make me WANT to keep it!
    I read your comment regarding the magazines... and making a tight fit. Very clever. That fabric was a great price and looks so pretty-- the quilt on the couch is a sweet compliment too.

    I haven't been up to many projectst lately... but I did remake my favorite blue jeans jacket last week and took up a pair of jeans to fit me better. I'm learning to alter my clothing-- and it's a big savings for me. As I'm still losing a little weight-- after my diabetes diagnosis last year.
    I hate the thought of spending money for new clothes if I'm still losing. ;)

    The light outside your window...looks like it's a nice addition to the porch area... at first I thought you meant the light-sky! We're having daylight later now-- can't get used to the time change. Some states-- don't have a time change... I think I'd like that better, personally.

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    1. Good Morning Patricia, it has taken me a little bit longer to adjust to daylight savings this year. I don't know why, but I feel like loosing that hour made me very tired. Then again it could just be old age and not enough sleep. I'm yawning as I type this and thinking about curling up in a chair and getting a cat nap before I truly start my day. This is not my normal behavior. I am delighted that I could inspire you to make a slipcover. When you have a piece of furniture that is made well, it's worth holding on to. So much of the things you buy today are just not made to last. I hope that you will post your slipcover after you make it :) Have a wonderful day!

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  29. Awwww, that is so pretty. I would not have the courage nor the know-how to pull that off but your slipcover looks awesome! Congratulations!

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    1. Good Morning Rosemary, thank you so much! I was a little bit nervous because it is a recliner, but then I went back to my motto for trying anything. "If someone else can do it, so can I." Maybe, not as well as the other person, but I can give it the old Connie try :) Many times I am pleasantly surprised and a few times I flub it up . . . but then we learn from our mistakes, right :)

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  30. I love your reupholstering. That is an awesome job. And the light you bought is so beautiful. What a cozy home you have there.

    I don't do projects like you do, but we do paint and decorate our place. We've recently bought wall tattoos for our bedroom. I'm looking forward to putting them up. All I've done so far this week is write poetry and revise my new novel.

    Have a great week!

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    1. Hi Denise, Well, I don't write like you. This world would be a very boring place if we all had the same talents and the same styles. I truly like to embrace the differences in people and all the riches these differences bring to our lives. If we didn't have authors, we wouldn't have books . . . what a horrible thought. I'm not a big reader, but I like a book to cuddle up with at bedtime. I know that there are people who read all the time . . . I would never get all of my projects done if I did that. Here's wishing you a lovely day, my lovely friend :)

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