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.