Creative Slipcover Fabrics...Continued
Clothing
I had an old white linen dress that was so out of style, I doubt that thrift
stores would want it. I couldn’t bear to part with it either – the
fabric was so perfectly crisp and clean and I could vividly recall every special
occasion for which it had been worn.
It now resides as a wicker rocker chair cushion and bolster pillow.
If you have cotton, linen, velvets, silks, organza’s, or other expensive
fabric lurking in your closet that will never be worn again, consider turning
them into unique slipcovers, pillow cases, or chair covers. Also, comb
thrift stores for these kinds of finds. I once used a gray taffeta skirt
to slip over a small round occasional table for displaying gifts at a shower.
Now that was really a table skirt!
Old Curtains, Draperies and Sheers
I needed a duvet cover for my new French Country guest bedroom and guess
where I found one? At a Goodwill Store.
Of course it didn’t come packaged that way. It came as silk damask pinch
pleated draperies. The once bright gold drapes gently sun-bleached to the
perfect mellow yellow I had longed for. Once the pinch pleats had been
removed and ironed out, the naturally bleached streaks gave it more character
and charm than I had originally hoped for. And the best part? The
draperies were lined so I didn’t even have to buy fabric for the duvet cover
backing. I simply seamed up the bottom and added coordinating fabric
covered buttons to the top.
Quilts and Bedspreads
Chenille and matelasse bedspreads are the best finds when it comes to
slipcovering furniture. But handmade quilts can be some of the most unique
treasures you’ll find.
Consider using these items for larger pieces of furniture as furniture throws if
they are in perfect condition or if you don’t want to alter them in any way.
If you have insect, mildew, or other fabric damage, just work around it.
I have salvaged as little as ten pieced squares from one of my
grandmothers quilts. She used it as a furniture moving quilt, much to my
dismay, and later told me it was actually made from her own clothing during the
depression. I used those precious ten pieces to recover an old throw
pillow on my window seat. It is, and will always be, cherished.
Don’t forget to re-purpose baby receiving blankets, bedspreads and comforters
too. Whether they come from your own cherished memories or are found at
tag sales, you can always add a sweet yellow checked pillow to a silk damask
duvet!
With a little imagination, you’ll find the perfect slipcover fabric in all
sorts of places and things…and each one will have a story to tell.
©2001, Kelley R. Taylor
Kelley R. Taylor is a craft expert and home decor project
designer who appears frequently on television and radio. Her works can be
found in several books, magazines and web sites including her own website, http://www.creatinghomedecor.com
- Visit Creating Home Decor for more free projects, links to the best home decor
projects on the web, and tools you can use for home decorating.
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