Saturday, June 5, 2010

EVERYONE MAKES MISTAKES

The year was 1994.  This is the first wing chair slipcover I ever made.  At this point, I probably had only made, maybe, 10 or 12 slipcovers.  It was in the shop I sewed for and I cut it right there.  Now, it doesn't really bother me if someone watches me work; then, was a different story.  It made me nervous and I almost always messed up.  I didn't let the client know that, but it happened just the same.  Anyway, I cut this slipcover and then took it home and made it.  When I came back to install it, I wondered where the pleats on the front had gone.  Turned out I accidently did the pleats at the welting from the arm fronts instead of at the corners of the deck.  No one seemed to notice and I sure didn't point it out.  I never did it again, though.
This sofa was a challenge all the way around.  First, the skirt had a 2" band of the contrast fabric.  (Looking at the picture now, I'm not even sure how I did it.)
Secondly, when I cut the slipcover, for some unknown reason, I cut the back and outside arm pieces higher than I should have.  The result was a skirt that was two different lengths.  It sure wasn't an easy thing to do and it was all my own fault.  No doubt someone was watching me as I cut!

Again, I did not point this out to my client.  I just acted like the way I did it was normal.  Truth is, they probably never noticed and if I would have brought attention to it, well, nothing good would have come from that.  I kept my mouth shut and learned another lesson.  Never did this again, either!

7 comments:

Jackie said...

Even with your mistakes, you did much better than I ever could! Your work is remarkable! I hand sewed a stool slipcover by hand and it's not perfect. But, I did it and am happy with it! lol.

Anonymous said...

My very first slipcover was a wing back~ what a lesson learned. I put pleats at odd spots all the time thinking I was being quirky. I think it was wing chairs that finally made me quite doing slips~ some days I miss it but most days I don't. You do fabulous work.

Simple Home said...

I agree with Jackie. I've never even wanted to attempt a slipcover. Even my pillow covers could use some help:-)
Blessings,
Marcia

Julie Marie said...

Oh Tamerie... you are so cute! I think both slipcovers look great! And I am sure your clients were perfectly happy with them! I don't like to have someone watching me when I am making something either...xoxo Julie Marie

Serena Lewis said...

Well they look pretty darned good to me. :)

angie said...

Tamerie, I have so done the same thing with putting the corner pleats in the wrong place! Even now, after so many slips, I find myself trying to do it.

beachvintage.com said...

I dont know how you do that, sit in front of people and work. i would be so shy! Thanks for sharing your early mistakes.