I have the most comfortable wing chair in the world! It fits me perfectly, from the curve of the back, to the angle of the arms, to the height of the ottoman. I’d like to keep it for a while.
Most regrettably, it’s also Connor’s favourite chair!
![VPC Show 043[2]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8h_1P950kyLRjn2LP2TglGTuHK0dc8O8rFQbtNfquU1zSjQVYs-cWTHThR-1EKe3D77WwJu071mJ9HLb2k0OzUvcqN66nnsWBvkCd-PC67rw9XQcHWjDTEO4-32VqgOwD5mNYHgeOnjc/s1600-h/VPC%252520Show%252520043%25255B2%25255D%25255B2%25255D.jpg "VPC Show 043[2]")
He likes to be curled up between the arms, sometimes resting his head on the arm, and other times, sticking his nose between the cushion and the arm. He seems to have a knack of resting one ear on the arm of the chair!
The problem now is that the chair’s gotten really grubby looking. You can see I put a blanket on the chair to try and keep it clean, but that was a losing battle. I don’t want to spend a lot of money to re-upholster the chair, because it’s just going to get grubby again. Until Connor’s not with me any longer, the problem remains.
I decided to make a slip cover for the chair, and have just started this week. It’s really not the right week to begin a project, since I am exhausted after going back to work full-time on Monday. I am working here.
Wanting to do this project on the down and dirty, I bought two 9’x12’ canvas dropcloths, which set me back a whacking $30. I got an eight ounce canvas, figuring it would be a little easier to manipulate. After I washed and dried the fabric, I got to work cutting, pinning and sewing. I did the ottoman first, since it was going to be the easier of the two pieces. 
Oh my! I too have started a chair project. Unlike you Meg, I do not know the grunge, thus as this is a small chair I shall remove the upholstery as gently as possible and recover it! I have to start some how or other perhaps I should bring it to a professional for an estimate as inspiration. ha. The daunting thing, this chair has a tufted cushion for a back which is attached eek. This does cool advanced off to You tube for help Oh Yes Congratulations on landing a new job this is good eat healthy stay fit
ReplyDeleteI am ignoring the tufted back and just doing a plain back.
DeleteThanks for the congrats!
Oh God, daily, even hourly, I lament the damage down to my already shabby furniture by previous and current cat claws.I so want a slipcover but I can't sew and it seems quite a big investment for another "scratching post".
ReplyDeleteplus I miss having a lab around even when they're not where they should be.
I love waking up to your posts.
xo Jane
Jane... you know you're welcome to come up and visit with Connor anytime!!! He loves meeting new friends!
DeleteLab Love. Connor has a wonderful mom.
ReplyDeleteChris... I am thinking black or chocolate for the next one.
DeleteConnor is such a lovey!! Who wouldn't want to accommodate him!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Bonnie! He's a sweetie!
DeleteYes, the things we do for our dogs. But I have never seen a sweeter looking dog than Connor, so it's understandable why you'd go to the trouble of making him happy and comfortable.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ben! He does have a lovely face.
DeleteConnor is a lucky pup. He looks so comfy in "his" chair. I think choosing a fabric that matches his hair was brilliant.
ReplyDeleteThere was a little bit of thought that went into the colour selection!
DeleteWhat we do for our dogs!! But they love us back so intensely.
ReplyDeleteMary
It is all about our animals isn't it? Great post. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com
ReplyDeletePeggy... I think that there only a scant few years left for Connor, so I am happy to do what he wants.
DeleteOh the joys of living with dogs! We adopted our first two dogs as pups and trained them not to get on furniture. Now we have three dogs: our 14-year-old "trained" dog and two recent adoptees. The two new ones are older (7 and 10 years) and they clearly have been allowed to get up on furniture. Rather than confuse them (and fight a losing battle), we put towels up on the bed in the guest room. We never have guests anyway, so why not let the dogs enjoy themselves in their senior years?
ReplyDeleteI love your pooch, Connor. So sweet!
Claudia
Claudia... I put books on the chair to discourage Connor from sitting there, but when I come home, the books are on the floor, and Connor's on the chair!
DeleteLooks like you're doing a great job, Meg. You're far more talented than I am. I would have purchased the canvas (good choice, by the way) then taken it to an upholsterer for the difficult part! Connor is lovable!
ReplyDeleteIt's several hundreds to get someone to do a slip cover. shocking.
DeleteI could have written this post, except I'm not making a slipcover. I think the reason mine likes the chair is because it's the smallest and therefore the warmest. He has agreed, when I get to the chair first, to sit on the leather couch, I think because there's down inside so it gets warm. A pillow like Connor has makes it all the better.
ReplyDeleteWhen I sit on that chair, Connor looks at me with deep irritation and sighs.
DeleteMy experience with inexpensive canvas is that it shrinks more than once. You may want to cold wash and line dry your new slipcover, making sure to stretch it over the chair and ottoman while still damp. Back in the 70s, when I worked in the decorating fabric trade, I used to recommend that people look for an inexpensive remnant of a decorating fabric or wait for a sale and choose a solid textured slipcover fabric when they needed to make a slipcover for dog furniture. Your slipcovers look great. Keep the measurements and patterns and it'll be a breeze to make another for your favorite chair. Sweet Connor is a lovely beast!
ReplyDeleteThanks! I have heard that you're supposed to put the slip on when it's still slightly damp, so that it's more malleable and stretchy, and then it shrinks to fit.
DeleteLovely old Connor, worth messing up the upholstery for! My pencil itches.. watch this space! x
ReplyDeleteI just finished a drop cloth slip and loved working with the fabric. I washed the cloths in hot water with bleach several times before making the first cut. Your ottoman looks great. My next project is a slip for hubby's chair; I've made multiple covers for my dog as well. Good luck with your project. Will look for future pictures.
ReplyDeleteSue
Loved this post. Connor is a real cutie.
ReplyDeleteI made a slipcover from a drop cloth for our "dog" chair but as an added measure, I threw an old sheet over the top of it. I didn't want to have to keep pulling the slipcover off each week to wash it. The sheet is easier to launder and then I wash the slipcover periodically. When company comes I can remove the sheet so it doesn't look too tacky.
Jules