Sunday, April 26, 2009

ikea + shwe shwe = awesome

This is my latest creation. On request of my friend Dave, I made a cushion cover for his Lillberg chair out of Madiba range shweshwe. I wouldn't say it is a total Ikea hack - for me this is something you can do if you've got a sewing machine, can sew, and the patience to measure 3 times over at least.

To save you the trouble, I have made my plan open source.
I am going to be making some for myself and am still deciding which fabrics... what would you do?

This is what you need
At least 100m length of cotton thread
1 x 90cm zip (35.4")
fabric, 90cm (35.4") wide, about 2m/78.7" long (3.5m and I got 4 cushion covers)

These are the pieces (2cm/0.8" allowance)







To put it together, follow these simple steps
1) Sew the zip on using the two zip/back pieces, effectively joining the pieces together.
2) Sew the two sides pieces (right sides together) onto the zip piece.
3) Sew the front part onto the other three pieces making a tube.
4) Pin the tube onto the top and bottom pieces, right sides together (sew inside out and remember to leave the zip a good bit open so you can turn it right ways in the end)
5) Turn right way and do a top stitch around the edge of the top and bottom pieces.

If you want to make the top cushion (which I will in the near future when we arrive in CT) note that it is smaller (obviously the same width, but at least 17 cm/6.7" shorter. I am not 100% sure).

6 comments:

  1. that is indeed awesome. i have the same chair but the double version. perhaps i should attempt it. might wait until you make me a template for the upper cushions too. ;)

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  2. Hi Dagmar. Just a quick question: I'm thinking of upholstering some chairs in shweshwe but I'm wondering... does it really handle the wear and tear of sitting on it well (over time)? Maybe I should upholster the sides of the chair and use the sturdier upholstery fabric someone has donated to me for the "sitting parts"? If it was just an esily replaceable cushion cover I would be less wary and would simply go for it!

    Thanks
    Michelle

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  3. My blue chair has not worn too well. Actually the other day I looked at it and thought I needed to re-upolster it. The brown chair has stood up well - I think it has been washed less. It's fine if you don't wash it, and it depends how long you want it to last (5 years is probably a stretch).

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  4. Hi WILL YOU BE ABLE TO MAKE MINE. I HAVE A LILLBERG LOVESEAT AND ROCKING CHAIR. I NEED THEM IN WHITE. IS IT POSSIBLE TO ADD PLASTIC OVER SO IT WONT GET DIRTY.

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  5. Unfortunately not. It should be a pretty simple upholstery job for a professional however.

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