The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-05-13
MAKING SLIP COVERS

| Slip covers are in general use the
year round, as they combine eco
nomical use with attractiveness
Chintzes and cretonnes are the ma
terials usually chosen for slip max
ing, and 1t is we'll to consider the
| color of the walls and the aspect of
the room before selecting materials.
| One word as to color schemes:
| There can be no denying the fact
| that plain se1f-color material has a
charm, but it becomes monotonous
| unless there are other attractive
| points of color to the room, such as
gayly colored lamps. cushions or an
attractive rug. Color combinations
always look we'll.
1t is best for the beginner to fit a
cover for chair. as there will be
! difficulty to get the material to
match on both sides. A cover for a
couch is somewhat difficult.
There are two ways of making
| has taken very careful measuments
from the chair to be covered, cut a
| pattern from these measuremen on
| paper fix the pattern to the chair
and see that it fits properly in every
way, and then cut out the material
by the pattern, leaving plenty of
turning to all seams, and especially
to those seams which fit into the
seat and insides of the arm. so that
the cover can. when made. be pushed
well into these recesses.
When the material is cut out from
the pattern make it up by sewing
French seams, and where any seams
show. piping may be used for neat
ness sake. Piping cord, to be COW
cred. can be bought at all depart
ment stores. 1t can be covered with
the same material as the rest of the
chair or with self color. Another
effect is made by cutting a thin strip
of seif-color. folding it and placing
IL so that the fold appears outward
between the seams when one turns
the Joined selvages in making the
French seams.
The second method of making is,
perhaps. the easier, though not quite
so economical In this case the ma
terial is laid over the chair. starting
from where one put the tape when
measuring to find the quantity of
material required. Pin it in place to
prevent slipping and pin up plaits Of
tucks where seams are necessary. be-
ing very careful to tuck well at cor
ners or angles so that there are no
unsightly ILLNESSES. If the tuclts are
too long they can be tackled and all
surplus material cut away. The side
pieces are cut separately, tackled or
pinned on to the rest of the cover.
See that there are no wrinkles or
any
II frill Is required round the bot
tom of a chair. it can be cut from
straight lengths and gathered round
onto the cover when it is completed.
The next thing is to arrange for
, the opening. If the chair is wider at
the top than at the bottom, make the
opening to the middle of the back,
allowing two inches for both seams:
otherwise leave the cover open at
the back corners. Sew up the seams
and bind with tape on the wrong
side. All figured material should
have the center of the pattern ar
| ranged so that 1t comes to the center
of the seat or back. Window seats,
cushions. footstools. etc, can all be
covered in the same way.
Many women stencil their covers
1t is best to make these of plain
linen. Plan the designs before the
material is cut. If the genuine stem
cillinG colors are used there should
not be the slightest possibility of
their washing out. The incest way
also satisfactory, Is to design and
cut out the patterns to suit personal
taste.