I know, more unnecessary teasing. No after picture yet. Well, I am in just as much suspense as you are on this project. Anyone out there ever recovered something? I think I'm going for the slip method, not the real recovering thing. See, we have two kids and the idea of throwing a slip cover in the washer appeals to me for some reason. I've never actually done this though, should be interesting!
I'm happy you guys are excited about the flannel! What fun will be had, there are so many projects that can be done with flannel. We're working on getting a few more project ideas together and eventually a website will be up and running. No TBA date on that one yet. It's coming though.
Several people have emailed and said the Hancock's of Paducah has Ginger Blossom up for pre-order. I'm not sure what the shipping date is for them, but it appears that they are the first to have it up. The colors are a little bit lighter in real life, the pictures in the Ginger Blossom photo album are pretty darn close. At least on my screen.
Speaking of those pictures-you guys are welcome to them. Share them on your blog, use them for a store newsletter, website or print them out and stick them on your refrigerator! They are there to help inspire and be useful for those selling the fabric. Help yourself, so they say. If you need one in a bigger size for printing, feel free to shoot us an email! I'm happy to help, or to at least put Dustin on the job. :) He's my helper.
Wish me luck on that chair, I actually have two to play with.
Sandi
Sandi, the shots at Hancock's are GORGEOUS! That's the closet I've seen your fabric, I think. I can't wait until I can make something with those pretty, pretty prints! You are so talented! Wow!
Posted by: Jennifer | January 15, 2008 at 12:20 PM
I tried to make a slip cover once and it turned out awful. I don't mean to discourage though. What I learned from that experience is that with slip covers you need to be accurate and take your time. I did neither and it turned out awful. That was years ago when I was a beginner sewer so I'm sure if I tried again it would be with better results.
The other thing I've been meaning to poke you about is your camera. What kind do you use?? I need a major upgrade! Maybe for a future blog post you could give tips... I know I'd be interested!
Posted by: Jennalou | January 15, 2008 at 12:25 PM
I am currently recovering a couch and ottoman. I'm going to cover the cusions individually, and then slipcover the basic form of the couch underneath. I have no clue how to make it look "professional", and I've made a slipcover for a loveseat before.
I look forward to seeing your progress! What fabric are you going to use? Is the Ginger Blossom cotton thick enough?
ooooh..... because if it is, I think I might want some! :)
Posted by: kristen | January 15, 2008 at 01:05 PM
No, I'm not using Ginger Blossom for this project. If I wanted to I could fuse it on to something else to make it thick enough, but I have some really cool decorator weight fabric that I got several months ago on clearance for .50 cents! I have about 30 yards to use up so..LOL. I think I'll make a couple pillows out of Ginger Blossom though..
Sandi
Posted by: Sandi Henderson | January 15, 2008 at 01:47 PM
I haven't attempted a slipcover except to recover loose cushions. I once saw a show with a segment by Todd Oldham where he used hot glue to hold the fabric in place and then covered the raw edges with gimp! LOL It's not something I've tried but I thought it might be a quick way to make an old piece look nicer without having to worry about fitting a slipcover.
I bought a book on recovering furniture and they showed creating a pattern with muslin. It looked fairly straightforward - pin in place along existing seamlines, mark and cut with seam allowance added. I look forward to seeing how it comes out!
Posted by: Lisa | January 15, 2008 at 02:30 PM
I'll just watch in suspense to see how you do it and then after that don't be surprised when other "well loved" chairs start being delivered to your doorstep by your friendly neighborhood UPS man.... those will be from me, waiting for their turn to be beautiful LOL... Personally I wouldn't even know where to start!!!!!
Posted by: joanna | January 15, 2008 at 03:44 PM
Love the chair - the lines are wonderful...I actually have a good friend who does lots of upholstering...if you run into any snags, email me and I'll send you her email so you can ask her questions.
Posted by: Amber | January 15, 2008 at 03:54 PM
That chair is darling, I can't wait to see the finished product. I have done a few slip covers and my best advice is to park your chair right next to your sewing machine and just keep fitting and re-fitting as you go.
And I'm practically chewing my nails waiting for your fabric release! C'mon Michael Miller!
Posted by: jona | January 15, 2008 at 04:35 PM
Can't wait to see it all finished up!
BTW, LOOOVE the flannel. It'll make perfect baby GIRL stuff. :) (LOL-- we still don't know what we're having, but I'm placing my money on lots of pink.)
Posted by: kim | January 15, 2008 at 04:46 PM
I love the chair.... Do you have the Cath Kidston Vintage Style book? She somehow had covered armchairs with old checked wool travel blankets and they looked great.... I would be tempted to find a "man who can" personally!!
Posted by: Ruthanne | January 15, 2008 at 04:46 PM
How is it that you always come across the coolest vintage furniture? Such great lines! (I'm still in love w/ that green ottoman you got! Where did you end up putting it?)
My mom always used to recover couches and chairs when I was growing up, but she never made slip covers. She's in town for a bit, maybe she could help ya out if you go the other route.
Posted by: Missy | January 15, 2008 at 04:48 PM
YES! I have done a few slipcovers. The hardest part IMO is just cutting into the fabric at first.
The best ones I made, I did a muslin first. Make the "real fabric" pieces a little big, just pin them right on the chair, be patient and take them off one at a time, sew them, pin them back and see how it fits, do the next one....
I can't wait to see how it turns out, you are so talented, it will be fab!
Posted by: Emily | January 15, 2008 at 05:37 PM
I have never recovered a chair, but one of the blogs that I read had instructions on how she recently did a chair. Look back to November 30 for the beginning of the project.
http://barbarabrandeburg.typepad.com/
Good luck! I can't wait to see how it turns out!
Posted by: Kim | January 15, 2008 at 05:52 PM
Good luck with the chair. I would love to know how you did it once it is done. One of the many things I would love to learn!
Posted by: liz | January 15, 2008 at 06:12 PM
I love old chairs like that. I'm currently trying to redo a glider. Its needs new cushions.
I trying to figure out how to make fabric roses and failing miserably. I can't figure out what I'm doing wrong. :)
Posted by: luxy | January 15, 2008 at 07:40 PM
you are an ambitious girl! My mom recovered an entire couch once - it looks fabulous, but sadly she passed none of her knowledge onto me. And she made the one slipcover that I ever had on a couch of mine. Maybe I should invite her up to do a project for you...she always does mine when she comes for a visit.
Posted by: jessi | January 15, 2008 at 09:06 PM
Are you covering it?? I have no idea how you'd even go about it. BUT I want one of those chairs - just like that tho ;) All beaten up and used looking. Ahhhh in a field out in the middle of nowhere in a photo it would be so perfect.... I'm sure whatever you do, it will look beautiful.
Posted by: Amanda K | January 15, 2008 at 11:25 PM
Oh, I absolutely love the chair - I'd be inclined to leave it is it is, it's gorgeous! What time period is it, it has a look of Art Deco (my house is full of deco courtesy of ebay!) Were they an expensive treat or a bargain?
Kim
Posted by: Kim McBirnie | January 16, 2008 at 06:56 AM
Oh I was so tempted to leave it as it is! The picture makes it look a little better than it is though-for a living room at least. I can totally see it out in a field, what a great burst of color!
Sand
Posted by: Sandi Henderson | January 16, 2008 at 10:19 AM
I saw Ginger Blossom today in my Hancock's catalog and it looked great! I have done slipcovers and reupholstered and the easiest way I have found to do it is to make a pattern (on pellon or something along those lines)cut out your fabric a little big and then pin the pieces in place on the chair with right sides down. You have to remember that you are working sort of oppositely where the arms are concerned(if that makes sense?) but you can then pin them, put them right side out and try on for fit. I just go slowly that is the way that gave me the best results. Can't wait to see it all finished. Oh- and don't forget to prewash - I won't make that mistake twice!
Posted by: mo | January 16, 2008 at 06:39 PM
This is my first post on your blog. Your fabric is wonderful!
I can't wait to see the slip cover you do for the chair.
~elaine~
Posted by: Elaine L. | January 16, 2008 at 10:28 PM
oooohh . . . . I love the chair! i can't wait to see the finished product!!! how fun!
Posted by: emily | January 16, 2008 at 10:51 PM
I love the before so I can't wait to see the after. How exciting!
Posted by: ingrid | January 17, 2008 at 01:57 AM
What beautiful fabric. In fact your entire blog is a real feast for the eyes. I'll be back for more fun browsing of your lovely pictures and fabrics.
Good luck on the chair too.
Have a great week.
Posted by: Lisa | January 17, 2008 at 06:41 AM
Your fabric is so gorgeous - I cannot wait to get some!
Posted by: Heather | January 17, 2008 at 07:39 AM