I love kid-inspired fashion and had to share this brilliant combination that just entered the room. Credits go to:: Hand-knitted leg-warmers compliments of big sister (Grace), gypsy skirt and mod socks from Mini-Boden, tops from Old Navy. All purchased at different times, for different seasons, but perfectly beautiful, and thoughtfully chosen for this chilly spring morning.
More pretty things . . .
For ages, I've been thinking about covering up some of our office chairs and finally got motivated. Finished this one for the sewing room yesterday and was so tickled with it. This is essentially, a two-piece slip-cover made from a vintage percale sheet. I'm on the prowl for more of these now; have lots of chairs to cover, and as I've just discovered, they're perfect for this. The skirt-bottom is actually the top part of the sheet, so no hemming required. Used my ruffle-foot attachment (Bernina #16) to gather it all up (love LOVE that thing--saves so much time; remember it only works on light-weight fabrics though). If you decide to do this,
you'll have to do your own measuring, because office-chairs are different shapes and sizes, but I can tell you that a full-size sheet will provide the width needed to go all the way around the seat edge if you plan to sew this as I've done, with the hemmed edge at the bottom. Leave a 4" space for the back brace; turn under the raw edge, then top-stitch. I made paper patterns of the seat and back shapes as guides before cutting them out and used a little pink-piping on the back piece to provide color detail. (Piping also helps reinforce the seams and gave this a nice upholstered look.) I think it turned out pretty sweet despite the fact that there was a large adjustment screw-thing right in the middle of the backside, which accounts for a little pull at the sides, but it's still a major improvement over its former life.
I am going to try this- My chair makes marks on my legs and is rough and scratchy! When I photograph my sewing room I have to take it out because it looks like a big black hole!!! It will be so much better with a cover. Your looks very professional with the piping- I love it! and Ginger looks adorable, of course! Have a happy day! love and stitches, Kim
Posted by: calamity kim | April 02, 2008 at 11:26 AM
Hey friend, I am dropping by to invite you to join my Spring Giveaway ...
www.thishandmadelife.blogspot.com
Love,
Jodi
PS I love the purple cauliflower!
Posted by: Jodi Renshaw | April 02, 2008 at 11:33 AM
I love this. My computer chair is awful, so I just may tackle something.
Posted by: Judy | April 02, 2008 at 12:12 PM
I love the chair covers! What a clever idea. :) It makes something so plain look so pretty!
Posted by: Karin | April 02, 2008 at 02:18 PM
Beautifully done as usual but what a great idea! My chair is just like yours. It's comfy but ugly. Your cure is so much better than finding a replacement chair. Thanks.
Posted by: meggiecat | April 02, 2008 at 02:41 PM
Perfect solution to dress an otherwise very plain office chair.
Brilliant, vicki!
Posted by: Dawn | April 02, 2008 at 02:44 PM
That chair is so pretty!
Posted by: ash | April 02, 2008 at 05:18 PM
Dang. I love this!
Posted by: Miss Sassy | April 02, 2008 at 06:46 PM
The chair is just lovely, and i *adore* the outfit!! :) The legwarmers are especially cozy :)
Posted by: Kristin | April 02, 2008 at 11:50 PM
Wow. Wow. Around here a double wow denotes awe and wonder. You have such sweet skills!
Posted by: Natalie | April 03, 2008 at 06:39 AM
Wowie. I love it. So so sweet looking. Who'd ever think an ugly office chair was under that!
Posted by: nanette | April 03, 2008 at 08:04 AM
Ginger's outfit is *so* cute! Don't you just wish we as adults could carry that same flair? I keep trying...
Your chair is superb!
Posted by: Toni | April 03, 2008 at 09:34 AM
The chare is so sweet and feminine. So you're not a messy person like I am??
Love the outfit. What fun to be a young girl these days.
Joni
Posted by: jonipossin | April 03, 2008 at 10:56 AM
The slipcover is just beautiful!!! Great job!!! I wish I could sew like you do.
Kathy
Posted by: Kathy | April 03, 2008 at 12:44 PM
Great idea...now if only I could get treading the Bernina down to 10 minuter from 20 I would be all set...just kidding it only takes me 15 minutes LOL
Posted by: Mo'a | April 03, 2008 at 01:44 PM
Oh, so inspiring! I love it! I have a make-shift sewing chair cover but it is not nearly as inspired or cute.
Posted by: Cece Marie | April 03, 2008 at 10:48 PM
Great idea for using a vintage sheet & very pretty! I re-upholstered my office chair - it needed more padding since it had wore down - but, I want to make a slipcover for it too - of something prettier.
Posted by: tammyCA | April 03, 2008 at 11:44 PM
so so clever...loving the chair cover!
Posted by: Adla | April 04, 2008 at 01:16 AM
Love Ginger's outfit! A budding artist in the making...LOL! How is that book coming...nudge, nudge:-)))
Posted by: Suzanne | April 04, 2008 at 05:53 AM
Wonderful chair cover! I love this idea and thank you for the tips in making one.
Posted by: June | April 04, 2008 at 07:37 AM
She looks darling! and the purple cauliflower looks yummy!
New music alert: The Puppini Sisters (Jeepers Creepers, Mr Sandman, etc) They are great!
Posted by: texcilla | April 04, 2008 at 07:42 AM
Hi. I love your blog (cute leg warmers!). I found you through Gracious Hospitality and wonder if you can help me. I have some embrodiery transfers and would love to start embrodery again - but am having a difficult time finding good quality linen blanks. Do any have any recommendation as to where I can file nice quality blanks? Thanks so much.
Posted by: MrPuffy | April 04, 2008 at 09:43 AM
Beautiful chair covers!!! A quick question, if I may - how do you keep them from sliding around when you sit on them? Do you stitch them to the original chair, or just reposition it all the time? Love your blog, btw - hugs - Diane from Michigan
Posted by: Diane | April 04, 2008 at 11:05 PM
I love your blogsite... it has such a warm yummy feel so rarely experienced anymore... there's nothing like handmade crafts and art to bring warmth into the home. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Miryam | June 11, 2008 at 05:42 PM
I love your office chair cover! My office chair has arms but that seems to be the only difference.
Do you sell these?? Would be very interested in one. My cats have scratched my chair to pieces!
Posted by: Carla | July 18, 2008 at 08:10 AM