Believe it or not, sewing is not something I really enjoy. It’s something I do, so I can get the look I want. And I don’t hate it so much that I’m not willing to do it. Sometimes I get in a mood to sew and then I have to take advantage of that. I’m in one of those moods now, so I got three out of four of the dining chairs slipcovered and I just love how they turned out.
I know they are frilly. I know they have bows. I love them anyway and embrace that they are graceful chairs that deserve nicely tailored skirts!
Here’s how these chairs started out. I bought the four on Craig’s List for $300 and had them stripped for an additional $200 for all four.
I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do with them, so I left them stripped for a few months until inspiration struck.
I stained and painted the frames for a two-tone look. You can read about that HERE. Now the cream leather seats weren’t working. They were custom made for the chairs and were excellent quality, so I decided to keep them as is and just make some skirts for the seats.
I used one grain sack for all four seats (with enough left for a pillow case) and some of a mid-weight antique hemp sheet for the skirt and piping.
The sewing machines were humming Wednesday night while the boys were at Awana. My mom came over to help me with cutting pieces and sewing the piping. It was so awesome to get all of the prep work done, so by Thursday, I was able to crank out three of them. Since sewing and upholstery isn’t super enjoyable to me, I just put on a movie to keep me entertained. Anyway, here is how they turned out…
I used grosgrain ribbon for the ties.
Of all of the skirted chairs I’ve made, these are my favorite. Instead of a pleat, I did a full very ruffle and this is the first time I’ve used fabric other than linen or drop cloth. I have a beefy sewing machine now, so it went through those layers of hemp like butter. I haven’t written a review on it, because I’m still getting used to it myself. I have a lot of sewing, upholstery and slipcover projects on the list, so I’ll let you know once I get through more of those.
I meant to work on the final slipcover today, but I got sidetracked and ironed and hung some of my new curtain panels in the family room. I made these a few years ago after I painted the walls blue. I was gearing up for the book and some other things, so I made a quick decision on the curtains. I like them, but they are a lot more modern than most things in my house, so they’ve always felt a little off to me. There are four windows, so replacing them means sewing eight new panels and I just explained how I felt about sewing. Sewing eight panels did not sound like fun to me.
Then, one day, I received an e-mail from a woman who was launching a new custom drapery business and asked if I would be her “guinea pig.” She would have a chance to work with a client, get feedback and get some initial advertising and I would not have to sew eight curtain panels! I selected a cream Belgian linen and received one set of panels a few weeks ago to make sure the sizing, quality, etc. was right and I just received the rest yesterday. (More on that company later.) So, today I’ve been ironing the panels and hanging them, which, of course, led to more. I removed the blinds, since the curtains are functional drapes, which revealed all kinds of grime and nastiness, so I had to clean the windows, sills and casings.
It’s the kind of change that takes some getting used to. I’m used to patterned curtains, so switching to cream was a big visual change. I love how they are just soft and compliment what’s around them instead of competing.
The quilt is over the day bed until I reupholster it in a French General fabric I bought. Blue and white, of course.
And we’re going to remove the builder-grade trim and replace it with chunkier pine board trim in a bright white to match the trim in the 1940’s part of the house. We’re also going to put in a 3/4 height wainscoting in bright white. I think that will make the painted furniture and upholstery stand out better and the bright white will play nicely with the cream drapes.
It’s been fun for me to get things done in my house that are just things I want to do. So many of my projects center around freelance tutorials or things I need to paint/refinish/upholster to sell, so it’s nice to do some things just for me.
76 Responses
Beautiful chair covers… I’m with you about the sewing! I don’t love to do it, but I sure love the results! Thank goodness I had a mom who sewed and inspired me and four years of high school seeing classes!
Love the chairs!
I love it. But everything you do I love. Just so you know when I have a bad day or when Im feeling down. I look at your blog and it cheers me up so much. You are a great inspiration:)
I love both of the curtains, but I like to change things around for something different.
I have the same blue/white fabric on my chairs as your curtains ~ Are you going to be selling those panels? Contact me if so. Thanks!!! aabarber@aol.com
Hi, I’m a new reader of your blog. Very inspiring. The color of your new drapes are a perfect choice. Thank you for sharing!
The slips are so pretty. I know what you mean about doing things for the house that you want to do. Your blog is an inspiration to me. Thanks a bunch!
Marian, love your new covers…you are amazing how you can just dive in and accomplish what you envision! Beautiful!
With a baby in the house, I haven’t followed your blog as regularly as I used to, so I have to ask: did your mom move closer to you? She was in Florida, right?
Yep we moved July 2012. God is good He put all the details together to make this happen. We have loved being here. We are only 8 miles apart. MMS’s Mom
The new slipcovers look fabulous & the new cream drapes are lovely!
Marian, it all looks so wonderful. I love the skirts you made for the chairs and the new white curtains. So pretty. I’m so surprise to read you don’t like sewing as much with all your upholstry and sewing projects I would have thought it was another passion. I don’t mind sewing but would love to get better. The thing I don’t like is measuring. Your home looks lovely!
gorgeous slip covers! well done!
Beautiful!
Love how you combined the chair covers with the two fabrics. Like you, I know how to sew, but don’t really enjoy it, just the results. And I hate how one task leads to ten more! I bet those ties on those chairs’ covers would look super chic laced down those little legs for an optional, ballerina-like look. 😉 I’ve always wanted to do that with chair pad covers. Have a great weekend getting things done for YOU.
Really beautiful slip covers. I wish I knew how to sew and admire your skill! I have been wanting to buy a basic machine and learn just so I can make pillow covers and curtain panels that really fit my taste (and budget) but I am afraid I’ll end up with a $150 piece of clutter if I don’t get the hang of it. But seeing what you can do once you know how to sew is an inspiration! Thanks for sharing.
Marian,
Those chair covers are so you! You and your Mom did a really nice job and I love the grain sack material. Both of my grandmothers were excellent at sewing but unfortunately I didn’t inherit that trait.
Ooooh, those chairs are so lovely!!!
Marian, I love the simplicity of the new curtains. I think taking away some of the blue has strangely made the remaining blue sing more beautifully.
Oh I adore those chairs!! Lovely choices 🙂 I love the wash of calm I feel when I take a peek into your home. Happy creating!
I think the slipcovers are great! The new curtains remind me of my living room curtains, so obviously I love those! You give much inspiration!
Too many French Chairs, who said that? No such a thing, Outlandish!
I have at least 7 not counting my 6 french ladder back style dining chairs. I love the style, especially the Bergere. I would love to have more. My favorite. I have a hard time resisting a buy every time I find one. GO Girl! HAPPY SITTING……
Linda from the OC
California
Love the slip covers! I also love the finish on the TOP of your table!!! Do you have a link that explains how this is done? If not, can you tell me how you get that old finish look?
Susan
I love the slipped covered chairs. They turned out beautiful! I like the new drapery too! I’ve been updating my home and moving more towards neutral color curtains in my rooms. It really gives the room a crisp, clean look. I would rather pull out colors through accessories in the room. A+++
Dear MMS, The chair covers are awesome! Glad you are taking some time for these projects for yourself. I love the plans you have for changes. Please let us know about that sewing machine. Hugs, Anne Boykin
I’m finally starting to enjoy sewing. After all these years I have a machine that just feels right. I know after you get some of your projects behind you… you’ll feel better about your machine and sewing. I like the creamy white curtains. I have altered drop cloth curtains in my living room…I can have a wide strip of fabric at the bottom for a lighter feel in the Spring and Summer and flip them over for that deep green to show and make if feel cozy and warm in there.
I had to stop and *GASP* at your DAY BED (? did you call it?) piled high with pillows and and the quilt.
Ever since I finished my vintage settee last month…I’ve had it covered with a quilt and I made pillows for it too. First off…the quilt keeps it clean (I have my littles everyday) and the pillows are just comfy!
I love that picture… and by posting it…you made me feel confident in my home decor! Thank you. ~Pat
M,
Please, pretty please, do a tutorial on sewing (pipping and pleats) because I cannot fathom that a human hand made these!!!
I had brown and cream toile in my living room for a long time. I switched to off white Shabby Chic curtains with a ruffle and although I love them I could never quite get used to not having a pattern. I have literally had them up and down 5 plus times. They are up now. I have the toile on the outside and the Shabby Chic curtains on the inside. It seems like a happy compromise :).
LOVE the slip covers; nice job.
The curtains are nothing short of fabulous!
I love getting up in the morning after long 12 hrs shifts, drinking my coffee, and checking out your blog. It became my morning ritual. I am always so excited to see what new posts you have shared. You are great inspiration. I love how your chairs turned out. I think those plain curtains make your furniture stand out more. Also, I love those pattern curtains.
Thanks again.
Amra
They are like ballerina’s.Beautiful.Wing chairs on the end would look so pretty.
Your chairs look gorgeous! I really like the drapes too. Your blog is so inspiring! Thanks for sharing all you do.
Hi!…love the new looks… I agree that the new drapes sofen the room,make the accessories stand out. Do u have ant info,history on the large chest,with the small dresser on top? I have one just like it! Was told it was from Scotland? Thx
Hey Marian, You probably know this already, but Lowes carries the drop cloths now. Happy sewing!
Love your slipcovers! So French country chic!
I’m loving the new curtains! I agree, if someone else is willing to do the stuff that frustrates you, then go for it! That would have been a lot of sewing… 😉
You’ve rekindled my latent love of Ironstone lately, I’ve been on an antiquing mission! What gorgeous pieces can be found for a low price… I am SO stocking up!!
Thank you, thank you Marian for all the inspiration you send out to us daily. I always get a little giddy when I see your email pop up because I know I’m going to get another dose of awesome!
Someone on Facebook was saying you are very fast, and indeed you are fast. Just a few days ago you said you had these planned…and viola, you’ve got 3 finished already! And they look very pretty!
Very humbling for me because I’ve been planning to sew seat covers since the beginning of this year and now the year is almost over. Your giving me the inspiration to finally get to that project and since winter is just around the corner, no better time to begin.
Ok, so I’m probably the last on the bandwagon……I’ve never seen “hemp sheets” for sale…..can you tell us where they are sold?
And, I LOVE the grain sacks, but again, where can I buy them?
Love your rooms! Actually bought the bamboo rug and still looking for a place to use it just because it looked so beautiful in your house!
I always look forward to your emails, thanks so much for sharing!
Lovely! All of it!
Love your new slip covers! Did you hem the bottom edge? Your book has inspired me in so many ways! As a recovering perfectionist, I struggle starting projects because I dread messing up. You have given me inspiration to start and be ok with it not being perfect! Watching your tutorials about making slip covers has really helped me to not stick to the “rules” of sewing. I am about to finish a slip cover for a wing back chair. It isn’t perfect (of course), but it is looking so good! AND I am having fun in the process! Thanks for writing and inspiring me and so many others. Blessings!
I love how the chair cushions turned out!! Definitely a thumbs up! Also love the look of the curtains. Very soft and pretty. Also love that the boys were in Awana. My kids all went through it and now that they’re grown, my son is Commander and my daughter, husband and myself all work in our club. Great program! Thanks for the inspiration and glad you got a chance to do something for your own house.
Very pretty slip covers and the drapes really compliment everything else – much better! Can I ask you what color paint you have on the family room walls? It’s such a nice, subtle soft use of color that looks good with everything. Thanks!
I love that color, too! It’s Glass Slipper by Benjamin Moore.
I love the dining chairs! Wish I could sew. The new drapes feel more quietly elegant. I love pattern, but too much of it makes me feel nervous.
Your dining room clipcovers came out really well! I can’t believe how quickly you’ve figured out this sewing stuff. My mother taught me how to sew years ago, but I still only make basic pillows and draperies. I’m trying to tackle some simple parson-style slipcovers for my diing chairs…not going as easily as I had imagined, but I know I have to just keep trying and practicing. Thanks for the inspiration.
Oh, the slipcovers are simply gorgeous!
By the way, Marian, do you happen to have two of those caned armchairs that are seen in your family room pictures above? I think they would go great with the French dining room chairs.
I think I am with the majority who really do not like to sew but love the outcomes, especially on a budget. For all of you ladies who do not know how to sew, look for a fabric store or sewing machine store, I find they are always offering classes. I love the Belgian linen, I was in Belgium this summer as well as France and Germany..simple curtains made of good quality fabic is the norm there. Thanks for the inspiration!
Love the chair covers and ruffles!!
Love, love, love the new slips! They look perfect on those chairs!
You did a fabulous job on the chair slips – as always! Love, love, love them!
Well done Marion. The skirts look professional to me. I just noticed that adorable childs cupboard displayed on top on the dresser……so charming and a great idea!
Love all your french furniture
Wendy
. . . i like the ruffles and the ribbon on the slipcovers . . . i like the soft touch of those details next to the rustic farmhouse table 🙂 it all looks great!
Oh my gosh your house is so cute… and I think i may die over the new chairs with the PERFECT little slipcovered seats. They are just about as charming as you get! I really like ruffles too and those little ruffles are just too scrumptious. I completely love your new old dining table, and it’s so fun seeing the paintings looking so pretty in your house. They really do go with everything!
Cindy
Do you have any tutorials about how to hang wainscoting? I would like to do some in one of my bathrooms, but I know nothing about how to go about if.
I love the new drapes.
I actually liked the leather seats on your chairs but the slipcovers look awesome too.
Beautiful job. Love to see your ideas.
I too use to have a drapery business. My favorite trick to make clients ceilings look higher is to put the rod about two to three inches from the ceiling or just under the molding. This technique carries your eye up and of course you want the hem of the drapery to just barely brush the floor.
Your new curtains look fabulous — I like them much better than the older ones. And your slips look wonderful, too. I don’t enjoy sewing as much as I used to, but I do it for the same reason you do! That daybed is a beauty — can’t wait to see what you do with that.
NICE. Can’t tell from the distance if they’re ruffled or pleated. A close up? But either way, so nice to have something just for you!
Love the chair pads and the new curtains! I think wainscot would look fabulous in there too. 🙂
Enjoy your new look. It is always fun to change things up!
I truly love the new draperies. I like the neutral look better. Unlike you, I love to sew. It is so funny to me that you don’t really like it, but it was YOU that started me slip covering. I never had the thought that I could co it before. So, Thnak you! Shows you can give someone something from an area one had no idea would influence another….. CeCe
Could have fooled me that you really don’t enjoy sewing whenever I see what your finished products are! You plow ahead with a positive attitude about the challenge and conquer it. Your style would not fit into my home, but I’m always forwarding your blog to my sister who does have your style! Someday I’m going to screw up my sewing courage and try my hand at some chair pads! You give everyone hope that they can do it too!
If you ever find the wonderful cow painting missing, you’ll know that I’ve managed to sneak in and wrest it from it’s place! Love it!
I think you have made a fabulous job of the slip covers and saying you don’t like sewing I don’t think that it would have been an easy task. It is a shame though that the frill covers up the lovely carved flower detail at the top of the legs. I really loved how this came out when you re-painted them.
You´ve made a great job with the chair seats!!The piping looks very complicated(good to have a mom aroound!)
The new curtains really changed the room…to the better, I think! Now I´m waiting to see the same kind of curtains in your dining-room…..
have a nice Sunday!
I love your leather padding custom made. It makes the chairs comfy. Your chairpads weren’t strings to tie on–why I thought that I have no idea–your pad style is “beefy strong” and won’t get ripped up by boys scooting in their chairs. Is this weird or what? I did not think of them as frilly. More like gathered around. Like matching your drawn curtains. I don’t think we’d call that ruffle. I guess I just looked at new curtains, which you always know what to choose, and they are gathered back and so the chairpads seems to mimic that to me visually.
I like how you did strip these chairs so that we see a new approach to using your paint and getting a different look. I like how you made the seats strong so no one falls through. I liked how you could get ALL those chair pads from one piece. It just all goes so well.
Wow! Those curtains really lighten up the room and I loved the old ones. It’s amazing what a simple change will do to the lighting.
I just went from patterned curtains to beige linen/burlap design. i love it but am still getting used to it. It has changed the whole feel of the room so now I want to change everything and lighten up! Hubby thinks I am nuts!
Love the chairs! I need to keep my eyes open for some like those.
The chairs look great!
I love your style and colors! Your home looks welcoming
and beautiful.
For someone who doesn’t like to sew, you are a fabulous seamstress! Those seat covers/cushions are beautiful.
Good Heavens, you’ve been working like a wild woman! And you’ve totally motivated me on sewing my runner and napkins…I’m working up to slip overs! Baby steps!
I just absolutely LOVE your home and your style. Your blog is my most favorite. I can look at anything you post over and over and find new inspiration each time. Thank you for sharing and always inspiring!!
I love the slipcovers. They are absolutely perfect! I just love your style.
As for the drapes, I was thinking that a solid neutral drape would be perfect in the room since there were so many other patterns and then I saw the drapes. I like them but I think there are a few misses. I’d like to see them hung higher and I’d like to see them puddle on the floor an inch or so. I’d also like to see a border on the edge of the drapes. I think it would pull the room together a little better. They hang nicely though.
Love the dining room chairs. Sewing is not something that I have ever enjoyed either, but I would give it a try if I thought I could create something like that. I guess with everything it takes practice, however, I would rather paint.
Great look. Thanks for sharing
I love how your new curtains layer in. They’re beautiful!
Was wondering if you ran the gross grain ribbon thru the “pocket” on those seat covers or did you sew them on the ends? It looks like they go around the seat (but inside that little pocket). Really pretty! A few ruffles and bows are a good thing.
Marian, I am a complete tech ignoramous, so the only way I know to get photos from the blog is to use my camera. I didn’t take a photo of your former dining room pix that was at the top of your blog, and now regret it. I’ve gone back to archives, but don’t find it. I absolutely LOVED the dining table that you gave to your Aunt. I sooooo wanted a pix of it. Can you help me out? I thought that dining room arrangement was elegant!
Thanks!