Crafts : Home Accessories : Shoji Slipcover : Home & Garden Television

Linda Lee, designer and author of Sewing Stylish Home Projects, shows how to make sheer dining chair slipcovers that resemble "shoji" screens. The paneled covers are made with lightweight linen gauze and tied together with soutache-braid and Kimono flourettes.

Materials:
chair
linen scrim - a gauze-type drapery fabric
kimono fabric
sutash braid
tag board templates or hand-cut hemming templates (essential for hemming lightweight fabrics)
pins
polyester thread
hand sewing needles

Figure A

Steps:

Measure the width and length of the chair's back along the front side, across and over the back, and down to the floor (figure A). Include an extra six or so inches to the length for a draped effect.
Cut out linen scrim fabric panels and hem using hemming templates (see step #3).

Figure B

Figure C

Use a 1-3/4 inch wide hemming template to create a 1-1/2 inch hem. Fold the raw edge of the linen scrim fabric over the template (figure B). Make sure that the fabric matches up with the top edge of the template then press. Turn the hemmed edge again with a 1/2-inch smaller template and press the edge (figure C). This creates a 1-1/4 inch finished hem and adds body to the hem.

Figure D

Figure E

Figure F

Figure G

To create mitered corners, fold the corners at the pressed hem lines (figure D) and pin at the intersections of the folds (figure E). Pin through one layer only. With right sides together match the pins. Draw a line from the pin to the pointed side of the fabric (figure F) (opl434_1_FigureF_Mark), creating a stitching line for the mitered corner. Stitch, trim and turn the fabric right-side out to reveal the mitered corner (figure G).

Rosettes

Figure H

Figure I

Cut a 3" x 7" rectangle piece of kimono fabric (figure H). Fold the rectangle in half forming a tube shape then stitch together with 1/4 inch seam (figure I).

Figure J

Figure K

Fold the tube in half, wrong sides together, and hand-stitch around the perimeter of the ring using large gathering stitches (figure J). Pull the gathering thread to draw the fabric tube up on one end, forming the rosette. Wrap thread around the edge of the rosette to hold the shape in place (figure K).

Figure L

Cut a seven-inch length (or length needed depending on width of chair) of flat braid trim. Fold the trim in half and slip the two ends through the flower rosette opening to resemble a flower stamen. Tie the trim into a knot and pull the knot through the flower (figure L). Trim the "stamen" if desired.

Figure M

Figure N

Create a small loop for attaching the rosette that's similar to a frog closure (figure M). To do this, fold an additional seven-inch braid in half and knot at the bottom. Hand stitch a portion of the loop closed so as to be able to fasten the rosette (figure N).

Figure O

Stitch braid to linen scrim fabric and place shoji slipcover on chair. Fasten the braids and rosettes in place (figure O).

Resources
interior design services - Linda Lee Design Associates
Linda Lee Design Associates
1250 SW Oakley
Topeka, KS 66604-1675
USA
Phone: 913-357-6229
Toll Free Phone: 800-466-1599 (The Se
Fax: 913-357-0835
Email: sewingwksp@cjnetworks.com
URL: www.sewingworkshop.com

Sewing Stylish Home Projects: Over 30 Accessories for Your Home
by Linda Lee (ISBN: 1561583375)
Taunton Press, 2001
Order this title.

The Taunton Press, Inc.
Website: www.taunton.com
Guests
Linda Lee
Interior Designer, ASID, IIDA / Owner, The Sewing Workshop
2010 Balboa St.
San Francisco, CA 66604
Phone: 785-357-6229
Toll Free Phone: 800-466-1599
Website: www.sewingworkshop.com
Also in this Episode

Our Place : Episode OPL-434
•	Shoji Slipcover
•	Contemporary Blacksmith
•	Celestial Wall Decor
•	Unique Cubby

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Shoji Slipcover

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Shoji Slipcover

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