We have this chair in our master bedroom.
There’s nothing wrong with it exactly. It has good lines, is comfortable, was inexpensive and has held up well over the last few years. I think it could do better though. Microfiber doesn’t exactly scream ‘sophisticated.’ I like the look of this Williams-Sonoma slipcovered armless chair…
…but with a starting price of $1,150 {aye, aye, aye!} it’s way outta my price range. So, instead of feeling bummed about my lack of finances {okay, maybe I’m a little bummed}, I see it as an opportunity. An opportunity to upcycle my existing chair, finally use some clearance fabric I bought last year {surprise, it’s actually faulty curtain panels!}, break out my sewing machine and try something new. That’s right, folks. For my next feat, I will attempt to make a slipcover by hand, from scratch. Last year, I put together these ottoman slipcovers that disguise our board game storage. Oddly enough, they were constructed from defective curtain panels, also. Do you notice a pattern here? I get cheap fabric in whatever form I can…curtains, sheets, duvets, etc. So, back to my chair. The ottoman slipcovers were quite easy since they’re basically perfect cubes. Measuring, cutting and sewing the square panels together was simple. This slipper chair will probably be more difficult. But I plan on using lots of straight pins and measuring obsessively before cutting. Plus, I won’t have to worry about any piping or fancy stitches…now, that would be crazy! I’ve heard of people using muslin and even newspapers to make patterns for slipcovers, but I think I’ll just play it by ear with my fabric and see how it goes. It’s pretty much a given that it’s not going to look as fab as the Williams-Sonoma inspiration chair. Especially since my version has a loose back cushion. But I’d rather put that $1,100 towards our debt.
I’ve got a teeny trick up my sleeve to give the handmade slipcover an added detail that’ll take it from ‘Obviously My First Slipcover’ to possibly ‘This Isn’t My First Rodeo Slipcover.’ {see image above for a hint}
So, that’s how most ideas are born over here. I find my ideal thing, discover I can’t afford it, and then come up with a way to make a similar thing with less money and more work. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have some sewing to do…after a healthy pep talk with myself.
images: 1) Dana Miller for House*Tweaking 2) Williams-Sonoma Home 3) Williams-Sonoma Home via DecorPad 4) Eric Piasecki photography, Ashley Whittker design for House Beautiful
budget decor, DIY, inspiration