Should I Reupholster or Slipcover?

Jodi wrote in with this question:

Hello! I found your blog through google while trying to find some cool slipcovers for two wing chairs that I just inherited. I LOVE the prints from Anthropologie but am having no luck finding any slipcovers remotely close. Do you know of any places that carry unique slipcovers or is this something I'll have to reupholester on my own? Thanks Jodi

Well, Jodi, I searched and searched for cute slipcover options. And I think we ran into the same problem. There was definitely nothing worthy of the Anthropologie connection.

I did find some nice basics. I like this $40 version from Overstock that's in a neutral gray.

The problem with non-custom slipcovers is that they can really look sloppy. Though this one is really not all that bad. You'd need to add a few punchy pillows to spice it up a little. Maybe an ikat or a crewel work pillow from Anthropologie?

Here's another neutral slipcover option from JC Penney, also $40.

It seems to me that you ultimately have three options, Jodi:

1) Reupholster the chair yourself.

It can seem scary and intimidating, but the benefit, besides the obvious cost saving, is that you have all the fabric options in the world. You can make your pair of vintage wing chairs look like they were bought for $3000 a piece straight from Anthro. When really you dropped about $50 in fabric, thread and staples.


I am no professional seamstress by any stretch of the imagination, but I think a project like this is completely doable for just about anyone.

2) Slipcover it

I already mentioned that I think stock slipcovers can look sloppy. I guess it all depends on how much you will be using these chairs. Will they be used in a formal, seldom-used space? Or a primary living area? All the slipcovers I've ever seen needed adjusting each time someone sat down. To me, it's not worth it.

However, if you do decide to go with the stock slipcovers, I've heard that a good way to keep the cover where it should be is to roll up a magazine or two, bind it up with a couple rubber bands and stick the roll in between the seat cushions. Repeat on all sides as needed.

And, you know, if you go with one of the slipcovers I linked to above, which are both 100% cotton, you could unleash some of you artistic skills and fancy up the plain fabric using stencils and fabric paint. I would buy this book.

Or revisit the September 08 issue of Martha Stewart Living, which has some great stencil patterns.



3) A happy medium

A sort of hybrid option is to sew your own slip cover. This way you don't have to acutally upholster the chairs, but you get to pick out your own fabric and you can get a better fit. I would use the instructions from this great Apartment Therapy post. I think the results are beautiful.

And I'm sure you could pay a seamstress to do this for you, if you really don't want to touch a sewing machine.


A quick note about fabric: Go with a print that has a random pattern, so you don't have to worry about matching up the repeats. Stripes would be an absolute nightmare.

There's a great fabric store in my area that sells upholstery grade fabric seconds for dirt cheap. Look around your area for a similar store. Or check on eBay. Here are a couple of upholstery-grade linens I saw on eBay today that would be fun and easy to use.




Good luck, Jodi! I can't wait to see the before and after!