Tuesday, May 4, 2010

More slipcover madness

I have finally emerged from behind the sewing machine, and it feels like freedom. When I started this project, my goal was to use only materials on hand, not to buy stuff to complete the task. I like the way this type of thing forces one to be creative and to stay within limitations. Often I find this allows me to do my best work. I have spent years accumulating things I could someday use. I had decided that "someday" had come. I am done with buying things for the house. I have everything that I need, and if I want something, like these slipcovers, I am going to invest time and ingenuity, not money to satisfy that desire. Plus I am going through a stage where I crave simplicity. More stuff lying around just complicates life because then I must find a place for it.
When it came to making the toile slip, this became a most arduous task. I didn't like the original band between the top and the skirt. It just wasn't properly proportioned, but I ran out of the toile to make a band from it. The striped fabric was too thin. What to do? I tore apart the first one and started from scratch. I made some piping from white canvas. Then I tried to use some real burlap as the band. What a mistake that was! It shed all over the place, and when I needed to change something, it just shredded. I ripped that apart and went back to the closet looking for some other fabric to use. I finally found this ultra-soft cotton flannel in the right color. Then I assembled the rest. It took me until 10:00 last night to finally finish. I worked on it for 3 hours yesterday morning and 3 hours last night. And there are still things I need to correct. For now, it is good enough.

Each time I put another slip over the ottoman, the cats were all over it. I kept having to pick them up and move them out of the way to try to get a picture. Finally, I just let Ms. Kitty play queen of the mountain and took the picture. This one is made from an old piece of thick linen I have had around for at least 10 years. I don't know what it was originally made for; however, I suspected it was one of those hand towels on a large roller that used to be in public bathrooms. For this one, I just went for the most simple shape and drape, which seemed to suit the fabric. It kind of gives it a casual country look, perfect for summer, I think.

So now, I have to decide what color scheme and look I want to create in the living room and design it around the slip covered ottoman. This is the fun part!!

Stay tuned for more.

Until next time...

Anne

P.S. Does any one have issues with blogger when posting comments? There are some pages where, each time when I go to post a comment, windows begin popping open so fast I can't click out of them. There will be between 15 and 20 before I finally can get the program to just shut down Explorer. What in the world is this? It only happens when posting a comment, and unfortunately on one of my favorite blogs.

8 comments:

  1. Hi Anne! Love, love, love the linen slip....I think the BEST! And your kitty climbing on it is just frosting on the cake. What a lot of hard work you have put into this! Takes a toll on the eyes, so give yourself some time off. I haven't had that commenting problem, so I'm sorry to say that I can't advise you. Sounds like you have a pixie in there making mischief! xx P&H

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  2. Hi Anne,

    Wow, I so love these. Especially the white and red one. Just gorgeous. I'll say it again, you are so talented!

    I love that you are using what you've got. That's my sentiment too. It's refreshing to me to read someone else talk about it.

    ~janet

    ps ~ my old computer did that, you know opening the windows like crazy. My husband says it was microsoft. I don't know much about it. That computer finally died and this one is good so far.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anne,
    Love that you're using what you have! they're both great but the white and red is my fav. i love how you showed some leg.

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  4. Anne, I don't know about the computer stuff but I just love your slips! Both of them. Perfect and vintage and really great! My fave is the little red and white linen.

    Great job and love the kitty....too!

    kelley

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  5. Oh my goodness it's just beautiful, you did a fabulous job! No issues for now with blogger :)

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  6. I just love that linen look slip cover. You are totally inspiring me. I have just been given such an ottoman in a sad state. Serendipity at work! Thank you for your lovely comment on my blog about Matt. Loss is such a universal experience isn't it? It is lovely to have found a place to share those moments with kindred spirits. I can only imagine how hard it is to lose your child. Love Jacqui

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  7. Dear Anne,
    You are so good, making your own slipcovers.... and, it's such a good way of using up fabric and recycling. We have had 3 cats over the years and, as soon as we did anything, they always had to sit on it or in it !!!!
    Looking forward to seeing more of your work !! XXXX

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  8. Those are beautiful...you are so good with sewing. I love the white linen with red stripe...and aren't your kitties cute. They are letting you know that they love them too!

    I have never had that happen with blogger. Please let me know 'if' it ever happens trying to comment on mine. Maybe the blog it happened with has a virus. I read on Facebook that there is a terrible virus out there right now. I seriously contemplated shutting my FB account down...I don't like it anyway.

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