DIY Network

Williams Study: Faux Slipcover for Chair The Material Girls update a chair with a no-sew "slipcover." From "Material Girls" episode DMTG-205

After years of having a houseful of children, Alan and Rebecca Williams find themselves about to be empty nesters. The Material Girls want to give them a special space to come home to. They recommend pairing warm golds, reds and greens to create a cozy atmosphere in a study. To make things interesting, they also recommend making the room reversible. The Williamses start by painting the walls a pretty green; then Kelly Keener teaches Alan how to make an easy faux slipcover for an armchair.

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	Chair: before
	Chair: after

Room designed by Kelly Keener.

Faux Slipcover for Chair

Materials:

fabric runner
measuring tape
staple gun and staples
hook-and-loop tape

1. Remove the cushion from the chair and begin by stapling the fabric runner on the back, under the seat. This will anchor the fabric so you can pull tightly as you wrap the fabric up and over the top and down the front of the chair. Tuck any excess fabric into the folds of the chair, both on the sides and at the seat, smoothing the fabric as you go.

2. Wrap the panel around and under the bottom of the chair and secure with staples.

3. Wrap the fabric around the cushion and secure it in the back with hook-and-loop tape.

Reversible Drapes

April Eden and Becky Williams make reversible curtains for the windows. The curtains are made with tab tops so that when Becky and Alan want to reverse them, all they have to do is take the rod down and flip it.

	Window: before
	Drapes
	Drapes: reverse view

Materials:

fabric (2 different)
scissors
measuring tape
sewing machine
trim
iron

1. To make floor-length drapes, first measure from the top of the rod to the floor; add 1"-2", depending on the size of the rod.

2. Measure the width of the windows and determine how many panels you will need to get the fullness that you want. For a tailored, flat-panel look, multiply the measurement by 1; for a standard-fullness look, multiply by 1-1/2; and for an extra-full look, multiply by 3. Add 1" to both the length and width for the seam allowance.

3. Since these are reversible drapes, cut one piece of fabric from each pattern according to the measurements.

4. Place both fabrics with their right sides together and pin around the edges; then sew around all the sides, making sure to leave an opening to pull the fabric through.

5. Turn the curtain right side out and press. Hand-stitch the opening closed.

6. Determine how many tabs you want and how far apart you wish them to be; cut the trim into strips accordingly.

7. Fold the strips in half and pin them at equal distances along the top of the curtain. Fold the edge of the trim under and sew in place. The tabs help with the reversal of the curtain.

Once the curtain is place on the rod, the whole rod can simply be flipped for the reverse effect.

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