Carefree Creative Coverings

The Sewing Fashion Council uses the word "coverings" broadly to define anything from slipcovers and shams to tablecloths and canopies. Their main function is to give something old and worn a new life or to inexpensively redecorate without purchasing new pieces. If you dislike your living room sofa, but can't afford to buy a new one, a slipcover might be the answer. Slipcovers infuse fresh color and style to a sofa or chair. Trims, cording and tassels make good accents.

Easy To Make
Slipcovers are easier to make and fit with the help of ready-made gathering and pleating tapes. Different styles work best with different fabrics. For example, a floral garden print looks better with gentle shirring than a strictly tailored style. Wider widths of fabric such as 90 and 120-in. fabric make coverings easy because there is less piecing. Fabric stores carry these wider fabrics in their Home Decorating sections.

Tips From The American Home Sewing and Craft Association

1. Color is the single most important element in a room. Color can make a room seem larger or smaller, lively or calm, warm or cool, open or cozy, casual or formal. Choose colors to fit your lifestyle.

2. Select one color as the dominant hue and accent with coordinating or contrasting colors. Bold white accents add flashes of light to a dark room.

3. Look for fabrics that have stain resistant seals.

4. When figuring yardages, consider hems and seam allowances.

5. Accurate measuring is key to the success of any home sewing project.

6. Start with a good metal tape measure.

7. Measure height, width and depth where necessary.

8. Make a small line drawing of the object to record measurements of each section.

9. The gathering ratio for shirred pieces such as a dust ruffle is usually 3 to 1.

l0. Special sewing machine feet can make sewing quicker and easier. Try using a roller foot, narrow hem foot, ruffling foot and piping foot.

Patterns
There are many patterns for easy slipcovers put out by such companies as Vogue, Butterick and Simplicity.

No-Sew Solution
If you want a quick, no-sew, solution, simply drape a queen or king size sheet (depending on the size of your furniture) over the sofa or chair and tuck it in wherever possible. Gather the fabric around the legs and pin in the back. Wrap each of the cushions and secure underneath. This slouchy chic look is popular with families that include small children. No need to worry about sticky fingers. When it's dirty, just toss in the wash. Best of all the fabric is wide enough for no seaming, relatively inexpensive as far as slipcovers are concerned and there is a wide range of patterns to choose from.

No-Sew, Foolproof, 5-Minute Designer Slipcovers Recycle an outdated, designer skirt, such as one with a flower print from Ralph Lauren that has a wonderful, summery, feeling. With the zipper to one side, slip the skirt over a seat cushion, adjust the fabric so it is smooth and taut and tuck the excess under the seat. Pin if desired, but it isn't necessary. Great on a wicker chair!

Copyright Leslie Linsley, author
Reprinted with permission, HouseNet, Inc.

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