Sewing Vloggers

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Office Chair Slipcover Completed


I just love it. DH is calling it the Throne. But it wasn't easy getting to this point. Come on along for the ride.....

  This is what I woke up to yesterday morning. I had been using my great Sunset slipcover book but very quickly I figured out not much in there applied to making a slipcover for an office chair with these arms. Yes, I could have taken the arms off easily and reuphonstered the back and seat but that's not what I wanted. I wanted the slipcover "look" and I wanted to be able to remove it for cleaning. I was now totally in the dark. I just went bit by bit and figured it out as I went along. I decided to make the back section and the seat section separately and then worry about putting them together after. I was almost at wadder stage but you all know that if nothing else I am persistent.
I added the skirt to the sides and made it long enough to go all the way to center back. But it is only stitched to the seat up to the green dot you see. From there it is connectd with velcro around the back and ties in a sash. I used up every border of the bedspread to get out all the scalloped edges for the box pleated skirt. From the green dot and right to the center back nothing is connecting the skirt to the slipcover other than velcro. This posed a major issue. This fabric is VERY thick and the box pleats gave me three layers of the matelasse as well as the two layers of cotton covering the welting. How on earth would I ever get that to turn in neatly? It definitely did not want to cooperate. This was bulk nearly a half inch thick. I know my old Kenmore is a workhorse but lets not tempt fate here. Then the light went on.
I used the old "blue jean trick".  This is where you pound the blue jeans with hammer until the bulky seams are flat and stitchable. I did the same here, I first put down a clean cloth on the concrete basement floor. Then I laid down the skirt/piping, covered it with another clean cloth and started hammering down the welting and box pleats along the top of the skirt. It worked wonderfully. The welt stayed turned in and was easy to sew through. In the pic with the green dot you can see how it was then topstitched with a zigzag next to the welting for a bit more insurance. It was now nice and crisp and time to put on the velcro.
This slipcover consists of two separate pieces, both of which tuck into the join of the back and seat very tightly. So each piece needed securing. The top of the cover connects under the arm and you can see the velcro application here along the binding. The seat cover is very securely tucked into the join and rests on top of the seat with long pleated extensions that meet in the back and tie with a black satin ribbon.
With this construction I now had a slipcover I could remove and throw into the wash.

Here's a few details more:

Credit for this glorious monogram goes to my cyber sewing friend , Jerry "Niener". She suggested it and offered to help with the design and stitch it out. It makes the chair in my opinion and I am really thankful for good friends like Jerry. You are special, Jerry.

Here is a shot of the boxing around the tops of the chair. It doesn't follow the chair's boxing as that had a weird shape. I just used a four inch strip.

In case you missed it the fabric used is a 100% cotton matelasse bedspread, queen size, and I used nearly every bit. Didn't tell you I cut the back twice because my original idea wouldn't work.  At the suggestion of another cyber sewing friend, Sivje, of Goosegirl Sews, I underlined the fabric. This will help keep it from stretching out and prevent the dark original chair showing through.

The  welting is a simple quilting cotton from Joanns, heavier than regular gingham.



I am not sure when I will do this again. It actually only took three full days of sewing, a lot of it spent on the floor with a pin in my mouth as I tried to figure it all out. I do know that this is one of those projects that really has me beaming and proud, I guess because I persisted and figured it all out on my own. Special thanks to Jerry and Sivje for their valuable contributions.

The decorating project is nearly done. I need to do a wee bit more organizing and hang some shelving tomorrow. DD also has some shelves for me as well. This  project has really got me excited about starting on the great room. That will happen as soon as the studio is finished. In the meantime, its time for some garment sewing. Its been a while.....Bunny

39 comments:

  1. A total work of art. Awe-inspiring and enviable.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Throne is an understatement! It's fit for a queen, and you did a magnificent job!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Another outstanding project beautifully completed!

    I plan to remember how handy the hammering hint you provided will aid my sewing in the future. Thanks for sharing....

    ReplyDelete
  4. Bunny can you come down to NJ and cover my chair too! Yours is friggin' awesome! I love everything about it, the monogram, the bow at the back and the awesome welting. But mostly that you recycled a bedspread to get this amazing slipcover! I am in awe!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Carolyn, I'll trade you a tour of the garment district. How's that sound?

      Delete
  5. Bravo x3! I love it! Makes you just want to sit and sew doesn't it!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. The throne, LOL! I love it, it's beautiful. Now I want to slipcover my chair too! Good thing mine has no arms. My brain would be mush.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Wow! That looks terrific! It's nice and tailored, and washable to boot! Congratulations on figuring this out, I'm not sure I could have done it.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I think it looks totally fabulous!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Oh Bunny, it looks wonderful!!!! Every detail is perfect! And Jerry did a fabulous job on the monogram! I adore it!!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Couldn't be any more perfect!!! It's beautiful. If anyone could figure out how to make a covered office chair slipcover, it would be you! :) Great job!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Love the comfy chair! It just wants you to sit and stay awhile!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Wow, I love it. I wasn't sure I would, but I do, and now I so want one for my office chair!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Oh Bunny....it turned out SEW NICE!!! Extremely professional & it looks BEAUTIFUL! Don't you DARE take a coke or a cuppa coffee near it...and no blue jeans, either!!!!
    Pat yourself on the back for this fabulous make-over. BRAVO!!

    Hugs,
    Rett

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Rett, this is made out of a bedspread that has been washed a hundred times. Its a good twenty years old. The piping is no shrink poly and the check has been prewashed as well, so it should be very washable. But I'll listen to Nursie Wett and be very careful. ;)

      Delete
  14. Well Done!! This brings new light to office furniture in the family room where the computer is :) Great trick with the hammering and the Velcro! It all looks very nice, you should be proud! Thank you for sharing, we love your projects!

    ReplyDelete
  15. You should love your throne, and be proud of it. I don't know if I would have the patience to figure out how to do it. Love the monogram. It kind of ensures that no one will sit in it, except you!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Oh my - what a piece of precision work! I adore textured fabrics like this, and your monogram practically has me drooling...

    ReplyDelete
  17. Wow". That is beautiful. Now it makes me want one for my chair.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I love it, too! What a lovely job, and the monogram definitely makes it a throne.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Bunny, you are indeed the Queen of all things sewing, so Ernie's pronouncement of this chair as your throne is certainly fitting!!! :) This project has all the hallmarks of an expert sewist. Your skirt design where it attaches with Velcro across the back is so clever and will make removal so easy. Job well done, my good friend!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Wow wow wow - how fantastic is that cover. Brilliant.

    ReplyDelete
  21. That is fantastic! I recently bought an old office chair for my sewing room and I would love to cover it. Thanks for the inspiration!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Bunny what a fabulous chair cover love it love it love it.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Bunny, that is gorgeous! I have the same chair, and several of those bedspreads. Do I dare?

    ReplyDelete
  24. Slip cover makes your chair looks more fine and beautiful.
    Awesome work done by you.
    slipcovers seems to be important in making the chair looks good.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Excelente!!! El digno trono de una reina costurera (=.O). Saludos

    ReplyDelete
  26. Oh my....you did such an awesome job on this!! I want 2 of these for my office but I could NEVER attempt a project like this!! Great job!!!

    Rhonda

    ReplyDelete
  27. Oh my....you did such an awesome job on this!! I want 2 of these for my office but I could NEVER attempt a project like this!! Great job!!!

    Rhonda

    ReplyDelete
  28. You did a beautiful job! I know how you feel about the chair being a "once in a lifetime" project. I tried covering my deskchair last year, won't try that again. Even with velcro and ribbons to tie off in certain places!!!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Bunny - this is such a beautiful chaircover. I found this while seeking inspiration for my office chair makeover. I don't think i could make anything quite this lovely, but am definitely inspired! Thank you for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  30. It is my great pleasure to visit your website and to enjoy your excellent post here. I like that very much.


    Executive Chair

    Used Office Furniture

    ReplyDelete
  31. Your Masterpiece of a slipcover continues to inspire! I hope you continue to enjoy it, and your sewing projects.

    ReplyDelete

Engaging commentary:

Had to Refurbish This One!

    About  6 or 7 years ago , during the dawn of the Zipper Trend,  I bought one of my rare retail items. It was a blush pink and black bord...