Thinking of ideas for your New Year's resolution? Why not embrace the craft trend in 2011. Follow Country Homes & Interiors' step-by-step guide to making a cover for a stool.
You will need
*
Main fabric (we used Greta, ref F3604/03, col Aqua/Beige, £82 a metre, Colefax and Fowler)
*
Tacking thread
*
Matching thread
1) This cover is made in two pieces: the top and the skirt. For the top, cut a piece of main fabric to the dimensions of the top of the footstool, allowing extra for a 10cm overhang and a 2.5cm seam all round.
2)
To work out the length of the skirt, measure from where the top overhang
will fall to where you want the skirt hem, then add 2.5cm for a seam and
5cm for a hem. To work out the width of the skirt, measure all around
the footstool, then to this measurement add 5cm for seams and 2cm for
every pleat (our has a total of 20 pleats: seven each along the front
and back, and 3 along each side). Depending on the size of your
footstool you may need to join pieces of main fabric to make up the
width of the skirt: if this is the case remember to allow for pattern
matching.
3) Take the top piece of fabric and place it,
wrong side up centrally on top of the stool. So that the fabric shapes
nicely around the stool, smooth it out towards each corner and bring the
excess together to form a dart. Pin then tack a dart at each corner.
Remove the fabric,
take out the pins, and place the top back on the stool, this time right
side up. Check the fit, make any necessary adjustments then machine
stitch the darts in place. Remove tacking, trim back the excess fabric
around the darts and press to one side.
4) Right sides
facing and matching raw edges, fold the skirt piece in half by bringing
the two short ends together to form a ring. Stitch taking a 2.5cm seam.
Trim, press open seam and turn through.
5) Pin 1cm pleats
at regular intervals all around the top of the skirt, making sure that
the seam falls midway between two pleats. Check the fit around the edge
of the top piece and adjust pleats if necessary. Press all the pleats in
one direction and then tack in place 1cm from the top raw edge all
round. Remove pins (see illustration).
6) Right sides
facing, matching raw edges and centring the skirt seam along the back
edge, pin then tack the skirt piece to the top piece all round 1cm from
the edge. Remove pins then machine stitch taking a 2.5cm seam. Remove
all tacking and trim and press seam allowance away from the top piece.
7) Place
the cover, inside out, on the stool. Turn under 2cm then 3cm along the
bottom edge and pin. Check the hem is even and adjust if necessary. Slip
stitch, remove pins and press entire cover to finish.
Illustration, Michael A. Hill.
Looking for more craft ideas? Learn how to make a headboard slip cover, an envelope cushion and a pretty napkin ring.
-
I put the Simba Hybrid Duvet to the test to see if its 'cool tech' would stop me overheating in bed - here's what happenedAs Ideal Home's Sleep Editor and a self-certified hot sleeper, I tested the Simba Hybrid Duvet on my own bed to see if it's 'cool tech' is worth the investment
-
These are the 4 things I wish I knew before buying outdoor solar lights, so you don’t make the same mistakes I didOutdoor solar lights can be both effective and aesthetic, but only if you buy the right ones
-
These 5 kitchen retailers have the biggest Black Friday discounts we've seen - save money on your renovation just before ChristmasConsidering a kitchen renovation in the new year? This is the best time to buy
-
Craft Corner: How to make a bobble trim cushionChannel Editor Vicky shows you step by step on how to make an interesting bobble trim cushion.
-
Craft corner: How to make a house-shaped cushionStyle at Home shows you how to make a quirky house shaped cushion to add an interesting touch to any room.
-
Craft corner: How to upcycle old furnitureLearn how to distress a simple cabinet with our step-by-step guide. We show you how to paint and distress a bedside table to turn it into a statement piece of furniture.
-
Craft corner: How to make a stencil cushionWant to give an old cushion a new lease of life? Learn how to use a stencil to add a design with our step-by-step video.
-
Craft corner: How to make a simple shirt cushionJennifer from Style at Home shows us how to make a cushion out of an old t-shirt.
-
Craft Corner: How to make a fabric painted lampshadeChannel Editor Vicky shows you how to make a fabric painted lampshade that will add an interesting touch to the room.
-
Craft corner: How to make a ruffled patch cushionWe show you step by step on how to make a pretty ruffled patch cushion.
-
How to cover a footstool with curtainsTry upholstery and give unloved curtains a new lease of life
