DIY OnlineMag~Blog

This is one of my favourite pillow designs. I designed it in 2003 and it’s been on my sofa in one fabric or another since 2003! Here it is in it’s latest reincarnation, in Woeller Simply Silk, colour Warm Brass. Project highlights include pattern development, setting buttons and working with button twine. You can get the full project details at diyonlinemag.com by clicking on the button at the top of the page.
Keep posted, more great patterns are coming!

On March 28, 2009 I held my first book signing for my newly published book, DIY Tailored Slipcovers, at Chapters in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. It was a wonderful opportunity to meet so many DIY’s with ambitious plans! Afterwords, my friends and family joined me for a get together at The Gourmet Emporium. We had a grand time!

Here I am pictured with my book, DIY Tailored Slipcovers and my cake, which is normally off limits for me. (wheat , eggs and milk) While I am not supposed to indulge, I do cheat bites once in a while and this was one of those occasions!

Karrie, Sasha (bro), Sandy (sis), KP, Tano, Natasha, Stev, Milena and Mary.

Friends, Charlie (my ottoman furniture partner) and Rod.

Here’s another great kids project that utilizes your leftover plywood. Project highlights include relief cuts, an introduction to upholstery pulls and how to upholster challenging shapes.
This spiderman figure has magnetic hands and feet and with a few pins inserted into the foam your kids can reposition spidey in endless action poses!
You can get the complete details, including the project template by clicking the magazine link at the top of the page.

The web detail, made with glass seed beads and viscose thread.

Slipcovers offer great décor flexibility and an endless possibility for change. Ottoman Luxury redefines the slipcover with covers that embody the look and performance of upholstery yet are removable for easy care.
Custom made to your specifications, now it’s easy to reinvent your decor in style.
Visit the website at www.ottomanluxury.com

“L” is for Lauren and Ladybug

This kids decor project puts scrap plywood to use! Pick up those pieces and put your creativity to work!
Don’t be mislead by the scale of this project, it’s not as easy as it looks. In fact, if you are unsure of your upholstery prowess and you can cover this project, you can upholster any chair!

The project details and tips have been published to the magazine.
Click the button at the top of the page to start reading “how to” now.

Allison Dow is the winner of the autographed copy of DIY Tailored Slipcovers!

Subscribe to diyonlinemag.com for your chance to win an autographed copy of my book, DIY Tailored Slipcovers

diyonlinemag.com is your one stop source for diy upholstery, sewing projects and “how to” decor instruction.
click the button at the top of the page for the most complete diy articles on the web, and to see excerpts from the book.

Subscribe for your chance to win!

Contest closes March 15, 2009
A winner will be drawn and notified via email.
Ships free to US and Canada
Good Luck!

DIY Tailored Slipcovers / Click to Enlarge

Kravet -Gimp Trim #T30494 color 3524

Kravet -Gimp Trim #T30494 color 30 . Available in 12 colorways, approx. $20 US yard.

Kravet -Gimp Trim #TA5189 color 616 . Available in 43 colorways, approx. $33 US yard.

The gimp trim shown above is one of many finishing options used to trim furniture with exposed wood.
To affix upholstery trim apply small amounts of hot glue to the fabric and quickly press the trim into position. Work slowly and carefully as too much glue will spread and stain your fabric.
For optimum adhesion and performance use a high temp. glue gun and heavy duty glue sticks instead of a mini glue gun. Traditional liquid latex glues are also available but due to their composition and instability I have experienced mixed reliability resulting in early repair work.
Search Kravet For Inspiration.

You can also make your own piping cord and trim your upholstered piece in any fabric you wish. Because this trim will be affixed and washing is not a concern you can use either paper or cotton cord. The standard cord size for furniture is 5/32″ or 0.4 cm. It is important to use a good quality cord with a smooth, consistent diameter as it will affect the finished appearance of your piece.

How to make fabric covered piping. Fabric shown Pannier, color Sable by Woeller.

Learn How To Upholster This Chair

To make piping cord, cut a strip of fabric 1 1/2″ wide to the required length. Wrap your fabric strip around the cord and sew tightly either with a piping foot or zipper foot.
Once your piping cord has been assembled, cut the SA (seam allowance) as close to the stitch line as is possible. If you are using a fabric that frays quickly adjust your cut accordingly. To glue along the frame, position the cut side at a 45 degree angle against the frame.
To use this finishing method your frame must recess to accommodate the cord. See the project “chair 1″ in the magazine for more details and photos.
Fabric covered piping cord, gimp, ribbon or nailhead trim are just some of the finishing options for decorative wood trim furniture.
The chair shown to the left is finished in nailhead trim.
You can learn how to upholster this chair at diyonlinemag.com by clicking on the button at the top of the page.

Click photos to Enlarge

The crowd (especially photographers) swooned over this Lincoln. This car is stylish, modern and classy.

The total package at VW was delivered crisp and clean.

The Toyota Scion. The summer season summed up.

Beautiful details, even on the trunk of the Toyota Prius.

Toyota Venza. The style lines on the Venza are nicely balanced and sharp. Plenty of admirers at the show.

Toyota Venza. The most interesting new color at the show.

This GM model was jaw dropping for all of the wrong reasons. The arrows point to all of its’ “blue light” features. I’m only half joking when I say that I expect it serves double duty as a slot machine.

Show Notes

Ford: The only vendor to take care of the kids with video games and other interactive games.

Ford: Flex. I’m surprised by how many people really dislike the Flex. The first time I saw this car on the road I was intrigued but impartial. In no time I grew to appreciate it’s originality and now I think it’s almost perfect, except for a small style change at the back end near the roof .

Dodge Caliber: It’s a cute cute little car, but saddle it up next to another hatchback like the Venza and the crucial chord that separates the two is thoughtful, laborious design.
Distinction adds value in the form of appreciation for years to come. Take note in the Prelude or the Mustang.
I suspect the Nissan Cube will get the ball rolling in the “think outside of the box” compact car category.

Chrysler and GM I’ve never been known to drool over a car like I do with textiles and colors. I walked through the halls and stopped only when my interest peaked. Nothing stopped me here. It was all business as usual.
Everyone of the presenters was so polished and professional so the one guy presenting at Chrysler in jeans was easily observed. Not that jeans can’t be formal, but this guy was noticeably dressed down in a lethargic kind of way. I couldn’t help but compare…….

GREEN TEXTILES

harmonyart.com
organic cotton – woven and knits- solids and prints

modgreenpod
organic cotton canvas – upholstery weight textiles – wallpaper
US grown cotton and woven and printed in the US!

Do you know of another great source? Send your suggestions!

Michael Diaz of Mike’s Hemp Bracelets is the winner of the free Snorg T!

Subscribe to diyonlinemag.com for your chance to win a Snorg T of your choice

diyonlinemag.com is your one stop source for diy upholstery and “how to” decor instruction.
click the button at the top of the page for the most complete diy articles.

Contest closes February 20, 2009
A winner will be drawn and notified via email.
Good Luck!

Subscribe for your chance to win!