This rocker has spent many hours cradling mama and baby. We purchased this Storytime Rocker in blue, because it was on sale and because it worked well with my first son’s nursery. The blue does not work so well in my youngest’s teal nursery. A slipcover became a necessity. It also proved highly functional (in other words, easy to pull off and wash when baby spits up).
How To Make a Slipcover During Naptime
I made the cover with some organic cotton velour from my fabric stash. The color is cream. It is heavenly soft and cozy. The velour has a good amount of stretch to make a good fitting slipcover. It also does not fray (more on how that is advantageous in a moment). I love NearSea Naturals for organic fabrics…big selection and great quality.
To make the slipcover I used one of the first DIY tricks I ever learned. I picked this up back in the day from Trading Spaces. Lay your fabric pieces right-side down onto the furniture. Pin and trim the fabric as you go to create the cover inside out on the furniture. Use the stitch lines on the furniture as a guide. Use lots of pins! Trim to a 1/2″ seam allowance. Then, carefully pull it off still pinned together. Sew along the pin lines. Flip it inside out and it will fit your furniture perfectly. Obviously, this works best with simple-lined, symmetrical furniture. It worked like a charm for this rocker.
I didn’t even hem my slipcover. I know…gasp. If a project goes beyond nap time, I usually never get back to it. In this case I lucked out because the velour does not fray. I simply trimmed it a little longer than the chair and left it raw. It does curl under a bit. I have washed the cover dozens of times and the bottom edge is still fine.
Okay, so what was your favorite designer tip from Trading Spaces?
Sharing this project here:
House of Hepworths
Somewhat Simple
{aka}design
I SO wish that I had your mad slipcovering skills! I had big plans to slipcover a loveseat that was handed down and to re-work the slipcovers on my parsons chairs until I had saved up enough to have them recovered, but just ended up in mad tears! It was bad. I flipped everything and tried to use the lines as a gueid, but I guess I’m just too impatient. BOO! I am now decorating around the loveseat until we purchase a new one.
Anyway, great job! I am impressed.
How fabulous! I’d love to try this on a couch?!?!?!
Great work . . . and precious nursery!
Holly @ Life as a Thrifter
Awesome job! Love it!
I have the same rocker and the fabric has been unbleached over the two years we’ve owned it….so I have been looking for an easy way to make a slipcover. This will be great! Just one question. How much material did you need? Thanks
oops…typo..should have said sun-bleached above.
Could you tell me where you found / how you made that amazing mobile?
Tiffany, I made the fun sputnik mobile for less than $20. See DIY Sputnik Mobile.