Ashokan Farewell - from the documentary

Here it is again by Jay Ungar, from the soundtrack, The Civil War, by Ken Burns. So beautiful I could cry.

Ashokan Farewell

This piece is so hauntingly beautiful. By Jay Ungar and used in Ken Burns' documentary, The Civil War. Performed here by Doc and the Lady. Just breathtaking.

Upholstery Needles

I went to Joann Fabric late this afternoon and purchased a package of Dritz needles. What I really needed were the upholstery needles, but Joann's only carried then in this package. I have the pattern for the cushion made and pinned onto the cushion. The fit is perfect, so tomorrow I'll move to the main parts of the chair. Thinking ahead to a fabric for the slipcover...I'm really perplexed here. I'd like something that's machine washable and ight and airy - summery. I had originally thought of a white cotton duck, but I think that might be too stark for this room. Maybe a "mattress ticking" sort of fabric in a pale blue and white. I guess I have plenty of time to figure it out while I continue work on the fabric pattern!

Slipcovering 101

I spent a good part of yesterday learning all I could about slipcovering - once I cut into my chosen slipcovering fabric, I definitely need to know what I'm doing. I've had this book, SLIPCOVER CHIC, for several years and finally read it cover to cover. And one of the things I decided is that my first project is going to be an old armchair and not the sofa - which can wait till I have some slipcovering experience under my belt. The armchair I'm going to slipcover is a few decades old and a hand-me-down from my parents; somebody's used parts of it to sharpen her nails (Hint: it wasn't me!) Basically, the chair looks like dump materiel, yet it has good bones and is the most comfy chair in the house - and just ask any cat to confirm that. ;-) Today I'll be getting all the measurements of the chair in order to figure yardage of fabric needed.
So here I go! :-)

Making A Slipcover

I am back - a little older, a little sadder. But life goes on. I continue to study on harp, but what I was anxious to share is how I am planning on slipcovering my sofa!
Since I love lots of white, I'll be using a white cotton duck fabric along with a white cotton muslin for the lining. My first steps will be to measure my sofa and figure out how much yardage I'll need. This will be my first big slipcover project and I am so anxious to learn how to do this! So here goes - wish me luck! :-)