Wingback Slipcovering Class on Video

There is nothing more elegant than a slipcovered wingback chair. Traditionally, you will see these in linen which is gorgeous. For this class, we chose to use Mattelasse, which is super thick and cozy, like you will want for your couch. We did it this way to give you all the skills you need to do all of the slipcovering projects you have. Here is how we make a Craftsy class:
1. (Usually a couple months before the actual shoot) At my studio, I prepare the lessons and talk on the phone with my producer a lot. Meanwhile in Denver, my producer envisions every camera angle and necessary detail, making copious notes.
2. (Usually the week before the shoot) I send all of the teaching materials to Denver, so they will be there for me when I arrive.
In the case of this class, I flew to Denver a couple of days early and made 2 and a half slip covers for the Craigslist chair shown in the class. One complete cover and one with lots of extra pieces for teaching.
3. We spend 3 days shooting the class with a professional producer, professional photographer, and professional switcher, not to mention the always helpful and professional production assistant. Needless to say, production values are very high and we take the time to capture every relevant detail.
4. After I have gone home, Craftsy does their post production magic to make the class work seamlessly in the amazing platform they have created. You can ask me questions as you go along and watch the class as many times as you like whenever you like. You can send me photos and we can talk through the particulars of your project.
This class is so good, you are guaranteed to love it! For my blog readers, here is the half price link:
Wingback Slipcover Class.
Big thanks and much love to my amazing professional crew: Lorie Hirose, Brandon Cox, Caleb Shives, and Katie (not pictured)

Ironing Board Cover Free Tutorial

I know there are other free tutorials out there for this project. As usual, I have not looked at any of them, but I would bet mine is better. : ) It is not a cat perch, but an ironing board cover. Here is the link to the ironing board cover tutorial. Let me know if you have questions and do share your fun photos at Flickr.
That is a corner of my new home sewing studio. I love it. It lets me be more available to the kids. I didn't realize how much they missed me in the 6 months I had my studio out of the house. It takes the entire family room and the office, so it's a commitment for all of us. There go my plans for downsizing in order to save for travel. I will just have to up my productivity instead. My goals include a really big trip for me and my 3 kids by this time next year.
Have you written your sewing manifesto? Mine is posted on my bulletin board above my computer. It keeps me motivated. Feel free to save or print mine and use it yourself. If you want to share, please share the link to this blog.
The front pack is what I am sewing and writing up right now. If you are an email update subscriber, you got this news yesterday. Email subscription is just to the right toward the top of the blog.
Tomorrow is the launch of my new Craftsy class - Custom-Fit Slipcovers: the Wingback Chair. It was fun to make and I think it is really concise and fun to take at the same time. I will post about it again after the launch.

Slip Cover Success

Post by Gloria Erickson.

How to Make an Infinity Wrap Top

I made this top last night and enjoyed wearing it today. I took a shortcut and raided my stash of thrift store shirts for the back and sleeves, but you could certainly also make this from scratch.

 I have been liking mixing knits with these woven shirts, below is another one where I made a raglan sleeve knit top and cut the front and collar from mens shirts. I will post a better photo of it on my mannequin, so you can see the front details. 

I know a lot of you want the free tutorial for making the infinity wrap sweater as shown at the left. Just click this link, Infinity Wrap Top,  and it will take you to the 2 page PDF file on Google Drive.  

I just wrote up what I did, so you may have to tweak it a bit to fit you. 

If you share on Pinterest or anywhere, please share this page and not the direct link to the file. Someday, when I have help, I may choose to publish this in pattern form with sizes and everything. You may not use my PDF to write it up yourself or share the instructions in another format, but feel free to make as many tops as you like and even sell them. I love it when I can help another seamstress make money from her handiwork.

Overnight Bag User Feedback

Recent feedback on the departure satchel. The first one is from a gal who ordered the bag from me and uses it everyday.

 The second is from a gal who recently made her own from the PDF sewing pattern. I love to hear from you and see your bags when you post photos on Craftsy.  There is still time - through the 21st of December - to enter photos of your finished items to my Flickr group for a chance to win free patterns for a year.

Office Chair Slip Covering Made Easy

I asked Alice to sew up the chair pattern for me. I wanted someone who had never made an office chair cover to test Simplicity 1335 for me. It came out perfectly - I love it. The fabric is home decor weight cotton from Westminster Fibers, Dream Right by Deena Designs. The only change you need to watch out for in that pattern pack is that they don't teach the proper hem. They say "apply bias tape." It should say, Apply bias tape to fabric edge with right sides together, then fold to wrong side and stitch in place for a narrow, 1/2" hem. Click here if you need to run out and get that office chair, I do highly recommend it. This slip cover will fit it perfectly. If you are covering a similar chair, I would recommend doing a muslin for fitting first.
You can see my apron from Simplicity 1241 in the background, I love it in the Moonshine fabric by Tula Pink.

Merry Christmas to Me

  I got this awesome deal AND another $70 off by applying for the Amazon credit card. Sweet! Look forward to seeing amazing photos from me with my new telephoto lens like these I found on Flickr.

   

I wanted to share because it's an amazing deal and some of you might be looking at cameras for Christmas. I love Amazon! 

Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”