25 February 2010

My latest project~

I have long been inspired by photos in magazines and on blogs of all white furniture and decor.  While I love color, I always seem to gravitate back to the all-white pictures.  I've read countless tales from women who just love their white slip-coverd furniture even if they have active little children. 
Recently I found a brand-new blog called Dreamy Whites.  That I was inspired is an understatement!  She told in one of her first posts about how she wraps her furniture in vintage linen sheets.  She uses large sheets over her couches too.  Her couches are already slipcovered in white but she puts the sheet over it too. That way she only has to wash the slip covers once a year and can just throw the sheet in the wash when it needs it.  Love the concept:)  I have been wanting a change in furniture, but knew we wouldn't be buying new any time in the forseeable future.  So when I read this blog an idea started to form.  It took root and blossomed rapidly!  You see, I had this HUGE stack of white vintage linens.  I have put them in a garage sale multiple times - never sold any.  I almost took them to goodwill last fall.  Now I am sooo glad I didn't:)
The inspiration from Dreamy Whites blog along w/ my stack of linens led to the story below...

 Take a stack of vintage white tablecloths...
shrink 35 yards of piping cord...

untangle 35 yards of piping cord...

make some pattern pieces...

{tools}

MAKE 35 yards of piping...
reading the books first - optional...

(thank you Kara for the loan of the books)
draping, pinning, chalking, cutting...

stressing is also optional...

(thanks again, to Kara, for being here to help w/ the draping, pinning, chalking, cutting, deciding, stressing...!)
1 1/2 days took
 this....


to this.  Whadaya think???

pillow is from Damask Designs.  I'm thinking it is soooo fun to finally be able to use neat pillows in my living room!

Little Sister loves it:)  I still need to buy velcro to put on the backs of the cushions to keep them closed and neatly tucked.  Little Sister suggested 'sticky tack'!:)  I'm holding out for the velcro though!

My love seat is getting the same treatment.  I'm thinking I will wait till next week on that one though.  I've got some people who would probably appreciate it if I worked on their stuff too:)

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20 Comments:

Blogger Mrs. K said...

Looooooooooooooove it! I saw a blog a while ago that had a tutorial for doing duck cloth. We are not buying furniture anytime soon but I would love to make a slipcover. Maybe you can walk me through it one of these days. Did you make the piping because you had the stuff? I'm confused on that part.

February 25, 2010 at 9:13 PM  
Blogger Sew a Fine Seam said...

If you want your piping to match, you need to make it. Also, the packaged piping you buy for clothing is not the right size. This piping is almost 1/4 inch and I wanted it covered w/ the old tablecloth fabric, just like the couches. I have a piping foot that made this intimidating task go rather well!
Jenni, I would be happy to help you out. And I can make your piping for you!

February 25, 2010 at 9:20 PM  
Blogger alee said...

WOW! This is beautiful :) Need I say it yet AGAIN ...you are a VERY talented seamstress :).Glad to know that you are not waiting on my projects to arrive :) Soon..

February 25, 2010 at 9:48 PM  
Blogger laura said...

BEAUTIFUL!!!!!

February 25, 2010 at 10:17 PM  
Blogger deborah said...

very pretty! the whole room has a new look!

February 25, 2010 at 10:37 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I really like it. Can't wait to see it in person!! MOM

February 25, 2010 at 10:51 PM  
Blogger Hoosier Mama Now said...

Wow, that's striking! I love the concept of using vintage linens, bet it feels nice too. I could never have a white couch, we're such slobs!!! Looks like a LOT of work, don't you love that sense of accomplishment?!!

February 25, 2010 at 10:59 PM  
Blogger betsy said...

WOW! i love this! i have an old ugly couch that i have been wanting to cover but i don't know if i have the skill or patience to do it! :( hmm..wish i lived closer so i could take lessons!! your extreamly talented!

February 25, 2010 at 11:10 PM  
Blogger hubbardgirl said...

AWESOME!!! love it!

February 26, 2010 at 7:33 AM  
Blogger b.ellen said...

Yay Jill!!!! I love the couch and want to come see it in person (: I have a an old chair & Love seat I have been wanting to do..you've inspired me

February 26, 2010 at 7:53 AM  
Blogger Joni said...

I have sewn a lot of things in my lifetime but the thought of recovering a piece of furniture sends me running. I am terrified of large pieces of fabric with no pattern that should turn into a tailored slipcover. I am impressed. I like the white, too. Good job!

February 26, 2010 at 9:00 AM  
Blogger Liv said...

AMAZING!!!

February 26, 2010 at 2:14 PM  
Blogger Dreamy Whites said...

Oh you are so sweet!! Thank you for all the nice comments you said about me! I am so proud of you! First of all I admire that you know how to sew. I am one of 5 girls who can't sew. The only one in the family that has tried to sew but can't do it!! I am impressed. I can't believe you were going to take the linens to good will. That makes me so excited to think that my post about linens inspired you to do this! I wish I could do what you did. You could make some money sewing slipcovers that is for sure! LOVE IT.
Thank you for sharing with me!
Take Care
Maria

February 27, 2010 at 12:50 PM  
Blogger Katie said...

Wow. I am so impressed! Weren't you nervous cutting into those linens? :)
It looks awesome! And am I just imagining things or is that a Greek key pattern across the back? If so, I am doubly impressed!

February 27, 2010 at 5:44 PM  
Blogger Anne Lorys said...

I love it!
Isn't that Maria just full of inspiration? Love her. :-)

You have such a lovely blog, I'm so happy to have found you!

Have a beautiful Sunday,
Anne

February 27, 2010 at 9:49 PM  
Blogger Sew a Fine Seam said...

Yes, the tablecloth I used on the couch back had a greek key pattern:) It was my favorite. the main part under the greek key has dots. I was able to make the tops of the seat cushions out of the rest of the dotted part of the tablecloth.

February 27, 2010 at 10:35 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

jill- did you just say so-long to
skirts?? your re-do is great!!k.

February 28, 2010 at 10:54 AM  
Blogger Shannan Martin said...

I am amazed!!!!! You make it look so simple. ;) It is just positively lovely. Let me know when you're ready to open up shop! :)

February 28, 2010 at 12:12 PM  
Blogger Lauren B said...

You did fabulous, just like I knew you would... :) I love it! And the pillow is darling

March 2, 2010 at 11:17 AM  
Blogger Jen Kershner said...

Oh my goodness! What an amazing transformation. I am completely in awe of your skills!

March 5, 2010 at 3:20 PM  

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Thank you for all the 'Fine' Comments! I enjoy them all!

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