(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!
Gotta say this post is really helpful. I have a couch that I need to reslipcover and I had pretty much forgotten what to do. Great reminder. Cute grandma:)
Rhoda, this is TOOO cute! 🙂 I can’t wait to see how it turned out.
I just want to hug Grandma Eleanor. How wonderful that she is still able to sew. Many people her age just don’t have the dexterity or the eyesight to be able to do something like sewing.
What a sweet lady. I enjoyed watching her sew.
I know that it will be wonderful
Becky
What a precious lady! Makes me miss my Grandma. I have 6 parsons chairs that I need slipcovers made for. I could do it myself, but like you, my “Memom” needs a project. It keeps her out of trouble! 🙂
that is so cool! I wish I had someone to help me with my sewing projects. she looks dang good for 90. good for her to stay active. and the first thing I thought when I saw that photo was wow, that lady has great legs!
Great information. I was attempting to make a slipcover for a couch today. This really helps!!
Can you please put Grandma Eleanor on a plane to Australia I think I need her. I know I need her and I’m sure she would love a holiday here!!LOL
Alison
Love this post Rhoda. My grandma Alice live until 95, and her last 5 years she got really old which have been some of the memories that stayed with me. But, around 85-90, she looked just like Grandma Elenor! The white hair, nice legs, and determination. Can’t say she was quite as active…good for Eleanor that she can bend and sit and stretch. You’ve given her such a great gift of purpose. And I can see she’s given you a lot as well. Thanks for sharing, especially the video. take care
She is the cutest thing – God Bless her!!! I loved listening to her little story about how she started sewing. What a love!!
Rhoda!
I think this may be my favorite post-here–EVER! Grandma Eleanor is a doll and so funny! Great info and a darling tutorial!!
love, kelee
rhoda…i have so lost you…glad i finally found you again…how wonderful to have this time and this video for your project….i miss you…hugs, rebecca
Rhoda, she is just precious!! Thank you for the video clip of her…what a treasure!!
Hugs!
Susan
Rhoda, I just posted about a recent plate hanging on my blog and referenced yours. Those discs are a great buy from your seller. I hope you don’t mind.
Your husband is so lucky to have his Grandmother, and she is a pip!! What a fun time the two of you must have had, I can’t wait to see the completed chair. I think the cording will be a nice addition too. Mary
OK, I enjoyed way too many things about this post!
1. Her awesome legs…WOW!
2. Her name, I almost named my youngest (Sophia) Eleanor…but we would have pronounced it EleaNORE instead of the way you said it, EleaNER. It’s a family name, although pronouced in the family the way you said it…
3. Being a seamstress myself, I am SO GLAD she made you do the piping…it will be so much smarter that way.
4. Getting to hear your voice…you don’t sound at all the way I imagined 🙂
5. I truly giggled.out.loud when watching the vids! How funny she is in the first one!!! We have several hard of hearing family members, so know what it is to shout a question five times before getting an answer, lol.
Can’t wait to see the finished product 🙂
Elenor is a doll!
Love it! That’s great that she’s still so active–what a wonderful idea to have her help you with the slipcover. 🙂
Grandma Eleanor is a hoot! Wow she looks fantastic for 90. I think your chair is going to turn out first class. Everyone loves to feel needed.
Oh this was such a dear post! I loved it. It made me miss my own Granny. Can’t wait to see the finished chair.
I am…loss for words…wow…SHE’S 90!
Suddenly the wrap skirt I made this weekend (my first “all by myself” sewing project) doesn’t look like nearly as big an accomplishment as I thought it was. 🙂 I can not wait to see the finished chair.