Tufted Slipcovers

I have an old swivel rocker in my workroom that I sit in when I have to do some hand sewing. I picked it up for a few dollars with the idea of slipcovering it. That was nine years ago! Can you believe I've been looking at that ugly old thing all this time? You know how it is - after awhile you just don't notice it; it's part of the scenery.

 Well, I finally got around to doing something about it. I found some pretty matelasse fabric that I just loved and decided to use a coordinating plaid for the buttons and welt. Looks a little better, doesn't it? I think it's really cute! It looks so homey and comfy.

I've developed a technique that allows tufted furniture to be slipcovered without sacrificing the style of the tufted back. The slipcover snaps in place over the original buttons to keep the inner back from becoming loose and baggy. The slipcover mimics the style of the original upholstery perfectly.

Matelasse is great for slipcovers. I prewash it before fabricating, and it exhibits very little shrinkage. The slipcovers are washable and come out of the washer looking like new.

Here's another cute matelasse slipcover - it's one of my favorites ...

This one also has the snap-on tufted back, but what makes it really pretty is the use of small ruffles in place of welt on the seam lines. I like the pleated skirt detail, too.

 

It took me nine years, but I finally got around to slipcovering that old, blue chair. Why did I wait so long? It only took a weekend, and now I get to enjoy it every day.