(inspiration slipcover from Country Living)
Since sewing is not my forte and 90-year old Grandma Eleanor (my hubby’s maternal Grandma) gets bored with staying home all the time and not having much to do, I asked her if she would like to help me with that slipcover project that I’ve been putting off for about a year now. She was happy to have something to do and I think it makes her feel useful to have a project going on. Sure does help me out, since I would have probably butchered this project on my own. I feel pretty sure about that. 🙂
I found this chair last year at the Salvation Army and it went great with the granny room look I had in the guestroom, but soon after, that room got a makeover and this upholstered chair would not do anymore. So, I found some pretty white linen-y fabric at a yardsale last year for $5 and there they’ve both been sitting in the beachy guestrom. I draped and tucked the fabric on the chair and that’s as far as I’ve gotten. Every time I walked in there, I kept telling myself I needed to get out the sewing machine and try my hand at making the thing.
So, this week, we uncovered the chair and got started. Eleanor came over for a couple days and I watched as she cut out pieces of fabric that will be made into a slipcover. Maybe I’ll actually learn something from this. Let’s hope so. 🙂
She draped the fabric and then cut each piece with the scissors, going all the way around the chair. Check out Eleanor’s cute little legs. Not bad for a 90 year old.
Tucking, pinning, and cutting.
She used a piece of newspaper to make a pattern for the curved arms.
And a-sewing we go! Eleanor is a pro at this and has been sewing all her life, so it all came back to her really well. And my new yardsale Kenmore sewing machine works great, so she enjoyed sewing on it too.
She insisted that we had to put covered cording all around the cushions, arms, and a few other spots. If it was up to me, I probably wouldn’t have done that, but she’s really good at covering that cording, so I’m glad we are doing it. I think it’s going to look really great when she’s done. The old gal still has the sewing touch and she whipped up this cording in no time. Of course, you have to cut cording on the bias. I learned that a long time ago from my own sewing mama.
She measured the flat pieces around the cushion and that’s what we are starting on first, getting the cushion covered.
I thought you’d enjoy a couple of little videos I took of Eleanor while she was sewing. She’s completely deaf in one ear and only has about 1/2 her hearing in the other (and wears a hearing aid), so communication is not the easiest, but we made it. I asked her in the first one how long she had been sewing, and she finally answered me in the 2nd one. She’s too cute!
We did get that T-cushion finished the first day and I’ll show you the rest when we get it done, since it will probably take awhile to complete it all.  In fact, I have to go back to Hobby Lobby, since I bought all the cording they had and I need a few more yards. She’s a hard working little lady and wants it to look great. She said she didn’t want me telling anyone she made it if it didn’t turn out well, but I told her I’m not a perfectionist.
Heck, I lived with it tucked and thrown for almost a whole year now. 🙂
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Before I go, just wanted to mention that I have a brand new sponsor, Disc Hangers, so click on the button to the right (or the link here) to check out his website. He saw my post on hanging plates and he sells the disc hangers online and thought his online site would be a perfect match for my blog. And, he’s giving all of you FREE SHIPPING through the end of this month. So, if you’re in the market for some of those disc hangers (invisible), I hope you’ll take advantage of the discount and they can be sent directly to your home. I love shopping in my PJ’s! 🙂
If you’re interested in ordering some plate hangers, just click on the Disc Hangers button to the right and put in the promo code FREESHIP09, before checking out, for free shipping. He’s going to continue this through the end of the year just for my readers!
Rhoda,
Grandma Eleanor is too adoreable. How wonderful she is to help you with this and still can recall so much. How wonderful to be able to have her share her sewing experience with you. Looking forward to seeing the finished project.
just happened across your blog…SO CUTE…your little Grandma is absolutely precious!!!
Hello Rhoda, Oh she is way too cute! And she is sewing at 90!?! WOW! My Mom is 91 and has sever dementia and macular degeneration. My Mom would not be able to see the sewing machine sewing. Treasure every moment that you are having with her making your slip cover! OH SOOOOOO SWEET! Nancy from OHIO
You’ve got to love Grandma Elenore. She is adorable. YOu are blessed to have her.
Rhonda, How sweet of you to have Grandma Eleanor help you with the slipcovers. It is a win/win for you both! ~ Robyn
Rhoda, thanks for this post. I love watching the videos of Grandma. My own grandmother, my abuelita, was a seamstess all her life. She made tones on outfits for me when I was little. I don’t think she sews anymore though (She lives in Colombia, which is where my mom is from).
I always think of her every time I pull out my sewing machine 🙂
Did you say 90? I hope I am that “with it” when I am 90. She looks so delightful. What a joy and blessing it must be for you to have her in your life.
Looks like Grandma Eleanor is doing one fine job. I despise sewing on the bias so cording totally intimidates me! Slipcovers up here in Canada are quite pricey so you’re lucky to have Grandma Eleanor helping with this project. I wish she could come and help me with an old sofa I have. Looking forward to seeing the end result. TFS! Sheila
There is no way that Granny E is 90 yrs old!!! And she still wears shorts!!! I wish I’d have listened when my mom tried to teach me to sew…so make sure you watch and listen closely…and pass the info on to your readers 😉 Have a blessed evening…Robyn
She’s a hoot! I bet she has got some stories. I can’t wait to see the finished chair.
I dont mind that she stayed in my room…in fact I think I love her…smiles! Now if I could only get her to come to my house and sew a little love for me. Yes…she does have great legs too. Peter is going to have some great genes from that sweet gal! cant wait to see your chair~ Miss you!
Ah, Grandma Eleanor is a pip! I love her! Other than the hearing, you wouldn’t know she was 90, and she puts me to shame, because I wouldn’t know where to begin, in making a slipcover. I’m looking forward to seeing the finished chair, and I bet you’ll cherish that chair forever!
Dear Grandma Eleanor…would you consider adopting a low maintenence child in Arizona? Your work is beautiful!!!
I’ll cook for you and you’ll have my fulll attention to anything you need!!! The thought of making a slipcover is way beyond anything I could imaging doing. Do you want me to tell you a secret?? I can’t even sew on a button!! lol
xxxxxxx
How sweet of her to help you!
I have recently found someone who does custom slipcovers at a VERY reasonable price. I can’t wait to get her started with a few projects for me. Right now I’m still trying to find fabric.
The tight fit of the slipcovers is what really makes them look good. You’ll also be glad that Grandma did the cording. It’s the little dressmaker details that really make the slipcover.
Can’t wait to see the finished product!
tina
I think this is an awesome project
& I think its even better that you get to spend some time with Grandma. She truely is a treasure!!!
We have so much to learn from people in their older years its just incredible!
can’t wait to see the chair in Rhoda format!! 😉
You are truly blessed to have Grandma’s help with your slipcover. Warm wishes, Esther
Oh, she seems like such a delightful lady! The mark of an excellent seamstress–no pattern required. A fringe benefit–spending time together!
Can’t wait to see how the chair and ottoman turn out–I’m sure they will be beautiful.
Grandma Eleanor is a treasure. I so enjoyed reading about her and watching the videos. Really made me homesick for BAMA. How did your hubby like the play? What’s not to love about Bear Bryant, right?
Looking forward to seeing the finished project.
Just a wonderful post…I read a couple things twice. Your Grandma Eleanor reminded me of my grandmother who sewed. What a special relationship you both must have!
Thanks for sharing this {wonderful}lady and her talent!
sandy toe
What a neat helper you had. I covered some cushions for wicker furniture once and I did the cording and it was not easy. Once I got the cording covered I hand pinned it all around the cushion then sewed it on the machine. I was working at the time and did my pinning on my lunch hour between sandwich bites. Don’t think I will do that again. I had gotten some really pretty material when I was in Turkey and I wanted to use it. It did turn out nice.