While I had the sewing machines out and my mom’s help, I decided to make seat covers for the barrel-back French chairs I’ve had for years. I have wanted to cover the vintage cushions on these chairs since I first bought them. They were cream, but the leather was dingy and there was no amount of cleaning that would make them look nice. Since they are cream, though, they weren’t too offensive if you didn’t pay close attention to them, so they were easy to ignore. And that’s what I decided to stop procrastinating on them.
I covered them in a yummy green velvet fabric that I traded for some furniture before our move. It was such a great fabric that I knew I would find a use for it down the road. I have earmarked it for the dining room curtains, but I had enough to use some for these cushion covers. I will say, as yummy as this fabric is, it’s better suited to drapes than to cushion covers. There is no give and it shows all of my mistakes, but I still love them. And, I love even more that the dingy leather is finally hidden.
They are paired with pillow covers from JSH Home Essentials.
I still need to get paint on the walls in there, but I am stalling because I need to paint the ceiling first. I know one of these days I just need to cover everything and do it. But, we have amazing weather this week, so I am taking advantage of that and working on painting the exterior trim and siding. I can paint inside when the weather gets colder, but the clock is ticking on good outdoor painting weather. Although, I have to remind myself that Maryland winters are very different from Minnesota winters!
It’s good to have another project checked off the list.
You can watch a video tutorial on making a cushion slipcover HERE if interested. You’ll see that I didn’t usually fuss with zipper closures and opted for a simple envelope closure instead. I can do zippers and I have on some pieces, but I don’t like to spend a bunch of time on something no one ever sees if it doesn’t negatively impact the functionality of a piece.
Now, I’m off to sand, scrape, prime, and paint!
16 Responses
Velvet has my heart. Especially cream color, but the green is lovely. You accomplish so much; it is a blessing just watching all you do.
Oh yes. I do agree! Thankful for how God had gifted you and how you share it.
Beautiful ! I’m working outside also, bc Maryland weather is you never know what you gonna get.
I love the green! You can try wrapping your cushions with quilt batting before putting them in the new covers. It will make the cushion tighter where you need it. I agree, velvet shows all our little inconsistencies. This trick will give you a nice finish.
A very nice update to the cushions – the color is similar to the velvet pillows I have on my dining banquette. I also do many cushions and never do zippers because I usually never take them off until I recover them again.
I love the cushion covers. I’m not a fan of zippers….at all! I’d prefer doing an envelope closure as well. It’s not too much trouble anyways. Great job!
I love the china cabinet (or whatever it is called.)
Marian that cabinet is very impressive ! I remember when and where you purchased that. And the cushions are nice but thought your color was blue so you have decided on green now ?
No, the walls will be painting Light Blue by Farrow & Ball, so I’m using green fabrics.
What mistakes? Beauty is in the eye of the beholder!!!
I love the green velvet. In case you’re interested, Ballard Designs sells beautiful drapes in a green velvet that looks like this. They also sell the fabric and I believe you can custom order it on their furniture.
Your lovely assistant keeps track of all your sewing supplies….I have two of those who are seemingly fascinated by the movement of the fabric through the sewing machine!
The shade of green is perfect with your pillows and looks lovely with the finish on the chairs. I would prefer the pillows be shorter, a lumbar style so they wouldn’t hide the undoubtedly pretty carving at the top of the chair back. I’m not sure if you used a zipper in these covers or not. A zipper would give a tighter fit over the insert as would a larger foam insert covered in a thick batting. I’m sure you already know that. Perhaps your intent was to have a looser, more time worn fit for the cover.
There is just something luxurious and glamourous about velvet. I love velvet covered couches and chairs and pillows. You did an amazing job on these and they look fantastic!
Cushions yeah, but the sewing machine that is Pink!! what brand is it?? perhaps spotlighting a workhorse in the decorating shadows is in order!!
I have showcased that sewing machine over the years and it is a workhorse! It’s a Sailrite portable upholstery machine.