[frugal is fun]

The discussion in the general chat forum about new furniture got me lusting again.

The Christmas Tree Shop flyer showed up today and they have a slip cover set for $39.99. I'd have to measure my couch to see if its a possibility but has anyone actually used a slip cover and liked the way it looked?

I've seen them used on decorating shows and sometimes it looks good and sometimes I think it looks terrible.

 

[Dancing Lotus]

Nope, hated it. NO matter how hard I tried it was a mess as soon as someone sat on it.

 

[monkeywrangler71]

I've been thinking about one too, for an older chair that is in pretty rough shape. But I'm afraid it will always look messy.

 

[Judi Dial]

The prefab ones I had always looked awful too. I think the only way you get good looking slipcovers is to make them or have them made to order.

I'm about ready to try doing this with my "daddy chair" a green leather chair my mom bought my dad. It's 55+ years old the leather seat is cracked and I can't afford to replace the leather, so.... I may try first to just replace the seat cover. The back/top isn't so bad, except that we had a cat who liked sharpening her claws up there. Antique lace "covers" would solve that, I think?

Judi

 

[Neeley]

I have never, ever seen or had a slip cover that looked good once it was sat on. The in-laws always kept one on their sofa and love seat. Drove me absolutely nuts! I wanted to yank the darn things off every time I set eyes on them.

 

[akolb]

nope. they all looked terrible. and never stayed when people sat on them. just keep an eye out for a solid color couch. never goes out of style.

 

[MomToTwoBoys]

I have a black slip cover that's stretchable that looks pretty good. Albeit, I have to wash it at least once a month but it's a lot better than how I had it before.

I paid a good amount for mine. It serves a purpose for covering the dingy couch for selling the house. It's pretty easy to wash. Sadly, I had to get it from Wal-Mart.

 

[frugal is fun]

I guess thats what I thought.Boo Hoo! I was hoping to spruce up my living room inexpensively to comfort my "i want new furniture now" craving.

 

[ladykemma2]

the sure- fit stretchy slipcovers i am very pleased with.

 

[dcompton]

I just bought a sure fit recliner stretch cover from Overstock - the smaller size that according to their measurement guide should have fit. I put it on yesterday, and it was still too large, not to mention that the "taupe" color turned out to be a yellowish tan. I'm sending it back, even though it will cost me postage. It was very unsatisfactory. I'll just live with the old grungy recliner thing - it's back in the bedroom anyway.

 

[lisaflex]

never had any luck. zero. we have the slip cover couch from arhaus and the cover was kind of dirty, etc...tried sure fit and a few others..had to bite the bullet and pay the big $$$ for arhaus to special make it...well worth it though

 

[mndtrp]

Realize that there will be a point with the more expensive, custom fitted cover where a new/used piece of furniture would have the same cost.

Personally, I've never liked slipcovers. I do like homemade recovering, but that takes some sewing/cutting/folding talent that I don't currently have.

 

[mauimagic]

My SIL has had great luck with slipcovers that look terrific!!

 

[Wendy99]

nope. they all looked terrible. and never stayed when people sat on them. just keep an eye out for a solid color couch. never goes out of style.

100% agree, we had them as a need our furniture was horrible, but as a want I would never have them again .. always made the room look messy too if the covers werent exactly in place

 

[MyMelody]

I think either the stretchy covers or the ones with the separate cushion covers would be the only ways to go. I wonder if it would be possible to sew the cover down in strategic areas to minimize shifting and then put the separate cushion covers on top for a more fitted appearance?

 

[ladykemma2]

I think either the stretchy covers or the ones with the separate cushion covers would be the only ways to go. I wonder if it would be possible to sew the cover down in strategic areas to minimize shifting and then put the separate cushion covers on top for a more fitted appearance?

pleased "sure fit stetchy" customer here. i bought the kind with the separate cushion cover. it doens't move . it need a few strategic straight pins here and there to make the arms fit right. no biggie.

 

[Pemberleyan]

I wonder if it would be possible to sew the cover down in strategic areas to minimize shifting and then put the separate cushion covers on top for a more fitted appearance?

I'm planning on doing something similar. My DH has a chair I call the ugly chair, but we can never bring ourselves to get rid of it because it is so comfortable. I'm planning to refit a too-large slip cover to the chair and make a cushion cover out of the extra fabric for the cushion.

I have two very nice oversized chairs that I was fortunate to find at a thrift store, but the flame stitch fabric just doesn't suit me, so I am willing to deal with the repositioning, etc. that's involved in using the off-the-shelf slipcovers.

I have to recommend the cork-screw type pins for securing slipcovers.

 

[ladykemma2]

what are cork screw type pins?

edit: like this? http://www.shophometrends.com/product.asp_Q_pn_E_030044

 

[Maisiedotes]

We had a sure-fit slipcover that we loved- it was 2 pieces- one piece was for the cushions and the other went on the frame of the sofa (we took the cushions off, covered the sofa, then put the cushions back on)- we loved it because the couch was hideous. With the 2 piece cover, it was great because when people sat on it, it didn't all pull out.

We got ours at some discount store like ocean state or big lots or something for $30. But we have had others that I hated- I would definitely get a 2 piece one again though.

 

[sahm2boys]

i got some at BJs once and loved the way they looked..they fit pretty well and i took them off often to wash...kept them till one got torn