Sitting Pretty

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. 

Comments

[calamity kim]

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

[Jodi Renshaw]

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!

[Judy]

I love this. My computer chair is awful, so I just may tackle something.

[Karin]

I love the chair covers! What a clever idea. :) It makes something so plain look so pretty!

[meggiecat]

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.

[Dawn]

Perfect solution to dress an otherwise very plain office chair.
Brilliant, vicki!

[ash]

That chair is so pretty!

[Miss Sassy]

Dang. I love this!

[Kristin]

The chair is just lovely, and i *adore* the outfit!! :) The legwarmers are especially cozy :)

[Natalie]

Wow. Wow. Around here a double wow denotes awe and wonder. You have such sweet skills!

[nanette]

Wowie. I love it. So so sweet looking. Who'd ever think an ugly office chair was under that!

[Toni]

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!

[jonipossin]

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

[Kathy]

The slipcover is just beautiful!!! Great job!!! I wish I could sew like you do.

Kathy

[Mo'a]

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

[Cece Marie]

Oh, so inspiring! I love it! I have a make-shift sewing chair cover but it is not nearly as inspired or cute.

[tammyCA]

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.

[Adla]

so so clever...loving the chair cover!

[Suzanne]

Love Ginger's outfit! A budding artist in the making...LOL! How is that book coming...nudge, nudge:-)))

[June]

Wonderful chair cover! I love this idea and thank you for the tips in making one.

[texcilla]

She looks darling! and the purple cauliflower looks yummy!
New music alert: The Puppini Sisters (Jeepers Creepers, Mr Sandman, etc) They are great!

[MrPuffy]

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.

[Diane]

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

[Miryam]

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.

[Carla]

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!