One of the many questions I get asked is “where did I get my slipcovers made”. I love my slipcovers and honestly I wouldn’t have anything else. I had my first slipcovers made over ten years ago and they are still going strong today. I love the fact that you can throw them in the wash with some bleach and they come up so fresh & clean. The biggest tip I can give you is make sure you pre-wash the fabric prior to making the covers to avoid shrinkage. I have used a white denim/drill and always have the covers made a tad on the larger side, which makes them easier to get off and on. I have them made with one zipper on the side or at the back and that’s it ~ easy on and easy off.
I am lazy and never iron my covers (as you can probably tell). But I love the crinkly and relaxed look.
Are custon slipcovers expensive?
Yes I would say they are. First you have to purchase the chair, then you would need approx 7 metres of fabric for one chair plus your upholstery costs. I don’t see slipcovers as a cheap alternative but rather a practical alternative for my life and family. Slipcovers can me made in many colours and of course white is the hardest colour to keep clean but I always know they can be washed and bought back to new again.
For lovers of slipcovers I would say head to Ikea they have many chairs and lounge suits being not only comfortable but very affordable. You have the option to change your covers to suit the seasons and your decor. 95% of my furniture is slip covered which makes the dressing up easy as everything goes with white. If you find you love the look and the easy care them I would recommend having some custom made to suit your pieces.
I am a basic sewer and one day I will attempt my own slipcovers but for now I will leave it up to the professionals. If your one of those lucky girls that can sew your own I say that’s fantastic and such a great way to dress up your pieces.
We have such wonderful weather here in Queensland and thats another reason why slip covers suit my lifestyle. I can have them on the line and dry in just an hour or two
Before
Kristine at The Painted Hive
I love the look of slipcovers and frequently recommend them for clients though I actually don't have any! Maybe one day. I know they are easy to take off and wash though I can't get my head around having a white sofa. Crazy, I know.
Kris
xxx
Sprout Gallery
Yes, I am a HUGE fan of slipcovers as well. White and all crinkly. Very nice.
cityfarmer
it is truly an art I wish I had under my belt!!!
it is costly … but I respect the labor intensity
yours are beautiful
Raine and Sage
These are beautiful chairs and slip covers. Thanks for being so honest and informative. I would love to invest in some, oneday…
Sonia x
Irma@CosasBellas
Ah, Crinkly and Relaxed, two of my most favorite words.
I, too, have a white slipcovered sofa and I just luv it!
Greetings for So Cal
Sandy
Every 3 or 4 years I make new slip covers and I just love them…I just can't see paying someone to do them. If I can find a good fabric sale it will be all of 30 or 40 dollars to buy the fabric. I love to sew….
Sandy
thewondersofdoing@blogspot.com
Deborah
I have my eye on the eKtorp couch at Ikea 🙂
One of these days..I love the idea of the slipcovers too..and changing for washing and for the seasons too.
But for now Ill be content with my sand-coloured leather couch.
Yours are gorgeous Sandy.
So clean looking and white 🙂
Have a great week!
Deborah xoxo
NanaDiana
Sandy, I love slipcovers too! I find that they are easy-breezy to keep clean. I just gave my slip covered sofa and love seat to my daughter and I am missing them. I am glad that she has them though..but I think I need to go back to slipcovers again. I have leather now and although it is wonderful…I do miss my old stuff. Diana
mariondee-designs
Hi Sandy, I couldn't live without slipcovers! Nothing would stay clean for long otherwise with my tribe!lol! Trouble is I make them myself and even though I save a bit like that it is probably one of the jobs I dislike the most as they are quite time consuming.. but well worth it in the end! Love all your pics.. your home is looking so lovely! take care,Maryann
Noosa Beach House
Oh that looks really great. It's times like these that I wish I could sew! I have two very expensive sofas that I should have slip covers on while my children are small, but the quote to make them scared me away!! So for now they are covered in some cotton blankets from Target – not quite the same I know!
Cheers x
All That Jazz
I love your slipcovers! I have always loved that look. I have two old custom made loveseat sofas that were hand-me-downs, I bought cream slipcovers for them many years ago. They aren't as stylish and fun as yours, but I still prefer that look! Someday I hope to get some of the IKEA slip-covered couches. They would be in my budget and since I don't have kids yet, I could probably keep them in pretty good shape! 😉
Your blog is beautiful!
~michelle~
BROCANTE
I totally agree with you – slipcovers are so nice and easy to keep clean. I love them. I make it the easy way and use a lot of bed-covers as well. I just drape them around my chairs and sofas and use some safety pins where it does not show. Voila – a new chair and sofa appears.
GoldenValley50
I remember the first slip covers I ever made. I used calico to make a pattern – laid the fabric over the couch and then traced the shape with a soluable pen. I then sewed the seams along the pen lines. I actually ended up liking the calico "pattern" so much that it ended up becoming the finished product! They lasted through three children, 2 dogs and too many washes to remember. Best thing I ever did. ;)Sharyne
Julie-Ann
I love slipcovers because I love white chairs and sofas. Plus as you said they are just so practical. I couldn't find slipcovers when we reupholstered our sofa so I went for the faux suede. It's lasted 9 years now. But I do also use lovely throw rugs over the sofas.
What a difference your slipcovers made to that chair:)
Jacqui
I love this post. What a great idea! Have checked Ikea and like the Ektorp covers they are very versatile.
Have a good week
Crystal Rose Cottage
I would love to have slipcovers and I wish I knew someone who made them. I would imagine they are pretty pricey to have them made. Yours look fabulous and 10 yrs out in use is great!~Hugs, Patti
Ms. Bake-it
I love the slipcovered look. I have pieces of furniture I love but want to give a new look and am hoping to get them slipcovered next spring. Yours look great.
~ Tracy
Laura's Rose Garden
Hi Sandy,
I have been very fortunate to pick up off-white slipcovers at my local thrift store. I have two love seats, two chairs and two sofa slipcovers that |I paid $5-$15.00 for!! I have used them at our cottage they make the vivingroom there bright and cheery and beachy!!
I have a Wedgwood blue wingchair just like yours and am bringing the slipcover from the cottage wingchair home for the winter to cover the blue one. I'll probably sew one over the winter for the house wingchair. I can buy paint dropcloths at the local hardware for around $20.00., so I should be able to whip one up very economically.
I'm waiting patiently for the lampshade tutorial!!
Warm hugs, Laura
Kristi~The Slipcover Girl
i love my white slipcovers and wouldn't have it any other way! Your's are gorgeous!
Olivia
This sounds delightful, but what about the kids? Do you let them eat in the living room? My sofas are brown leather and I have planned to keep them until the kids are old enough not to spill and get everything dirty! I would Love to slipcover my sofas!!! Yours are gorgeous.
Hugs,
Olivia
Hazel
Gorgeous slipcovers. I am also a huge fan of white/cream slipcovers. I have them on my Ikea sofas 'Ektorp' and also on a couple of wingback chairs which are a nasty blue velour underneath!! So easy to keep clean and blend into any type of decor!!
Great blog btw, I love reading it regularly.
Kate
Love the idea and the look. I am also in Brisbane but haven't worked out who would make some for me for chairs that need to be updated. Any suggestions?
Kate
janet
Hello Sandy,
Just stumbled onto your beautiful blog. I'm visiting from Virginia,USA and I love slipcovers.
For the past few years I have been seeing them on all the decorating blogs and falling more in love each time.
Well I finally decided to go for it and I made one…and another..and another…now I am addicted.
I find fabulous chairs at my local thrift shop and totally transform them…so much fun!
I love your blog and promise to return often. Good luck in your shop.
A new friend,
Janet xox
http://theemptynest-janet.blogspot.com/