Amy Walker and Penny....Coming to Texas in February.

I am looking for Amy Walker and Penny who live in Austin.

I will be in Dallas around Valentines but would love to do a workshop in Austin for Slipcovers.

Amy or Penny is that possible?

Let me know

Karen
slipcovernetwork@gmail.com

Happy Holidays to Everyone

Please go to the Slipcover Network blog and view my holiday greeting to you...

It's time to party.............

Snow bound

always
Karen with Slipcover America...............

Slipcover Network

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Slipcover Network Directory

Slipcover Network Directory is being updated. http://www.slipcovernetwork.com/

If you currently have a listing on the Directory page of the Slipcover Network website, you may now have a small image of your slipcover posted there.

Send us your photo and your membership renewal.

slipcovernetwork@gmail.com

Thanks

Karen

Slipcover Book of the Month

Slipcover Style: Easy-To-Make Covers for
Chairs, Sofas, Bed and Tables

Revitalize home decor with 26 easy-to-make projects- Create classic and contemporary slipcovers for chairs, sofas, beds, and tables - Presents clear step-by-step instructions and illustrations.

Why not complete your library of Slipcover Books.

Consider ordering at a reduced rate from eCampus.com

click here to search for this book and others

Slipcover Summit Host Hotel will be

Embassy Suites is our host hotel. We will be spending the days at Designs by Mara Studio and Workroom and by night sleeping in a wonderful hotel.

Plan to share your room with one or 2 people... Every room is a Suite...

Breakfast is included in the price of the room.... Cocktails are included at the end of the day also.

Plus there is a shuttle that can take us back and forth to the Slipcover Summit.

Our special dinner (Thursday night) will be in Edmonds on the waterfront.

Take the tour of the hotel... here is the link http://embassysuites1.hilton.com/en_US/es/hotel/SEALWES-Embassy-Suites-Seattle-North-Lynnwood-Washington/photoGallery.do

Slipcover Summit..2009 Seattle Washington

Plan to arrive early or stay a day longer









Downtown Seattle









This is the Edmonds Ferry


Acutally we will be in Montlake Terrace... just North of Seattle...

Slipcover Summit 2008 ...

New Slipcovers from Kathy

before

after

Kathy Phillips

Seattle, HERE WE COME!

I'm getting really excited about the 2009 Slipcover Summit!

I'll be repeating the skirt class, but with more time for class samples and discussion. My new button class offers TONS of different ways you can add buttons to slipcovers, and the fun, crafty things you can do with them ("thank you" gifts for clients, raffle donations to promote your business, etc.). Class samples galore to take home, along with source lists for materials - nothing held back!

*happy dance*

Call for Class Proposals for Slipcover Summit 2009

Call for Class Proposals for Slipcover Summit 2009

Now it is time to submit your ideas for classes for the Slipcover Summit 2009 which will be in Seattle, Washington.The Summit will be held at Designs by Mara in Mount Lake Terrace not far from downtown Seattle.

If you have an idea for a class, or would like to teach a class you submit include that in your proposal to slipcovernetwork@gmail.com .

All ideas and proposals must be submitted before August 25, 2008.

Proposals will be voted upon, and decided by mid-September.

3rd Place Winner: Slipcover Network Design Contest 2008

The 3rd place winner was Julie Van Ormer
from Dimebox Designs in Scottsdale, AZ.

2nd Place Winner: Slipcover Design Contest 2008

The 2nd place winner was Laura Nelson
from Sew Nice in West Lafayette, IN.

And the Winners IS

Slipcover Design Contest 2008 had 9 remarkable participants who submitted fantastically beautiful slipcovers. Unfortunately those at the Summit could only vote for 3.

1st Place 2008 Slipcover Design Contest
is
Therese Davis
of
Sew Your Home, Barrington, Il.

Therese Davis
http://www.picturetrail.com/theresed

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2nd Place Winner:
Laura Nelson of Sew Nice
West Lafayette, Indiana

soon to have photo up on blog

3rd Place Winner:
Julie Van Ormer of Dimebox Designs
Colleyville, Texas

soon to have photo up on blog

2008 was INDY: 2009 will be SEATTLE

2008 Indy Slipcover Summit participants

What a great time was had by all. Heads full of new information with items of the past brought to the surface once again. 3 days filled with information about Slipcovers, how to, why, fabrics, methods, and more. It is impossible to share it all.

So there will be more.

Slipcover Certification Survey is almost ready to be sent out to those who are considering becoming Certified as a Slipcover Professional through the Slipcover Network. So watch for this soon....

• For those who attended take what you learned an apply it.
• Go over your notes, write down what you'd like to achieve.
• Stay connected via this blog, or other network groups.
• Monthly report your results to others.

Start saving $$ to attend the Slipcover Summit 2009 in Seattle, Washington the last week of June.

always
Karen
www.homefashionsu.com
www.slipcovernetwork.com
www.slipcoveramerica.com
Home Fashion U Online Classes

Thank You Slipcover Summit Students

To my wonderful students... THANK YOU!!!

I couldn't have asked for a nicer first class - you (all) breezed serenely through those, um... unfortunate rough spots (like, oh... trying to cram six hours of material into three...).

If you have any questions about any of them; indeed, about ANYTHING from class, please don't hesitate to contact me. I'm so grateful to everyone - I learned so much about teaching, and your kindness (and patience) was very dearly appreciated!

You're THE BEST!!!

Sincerely,
Dede
West Village Home
Custom Cushions and Slipcovers

PS: There were questions about how I attach a skirt with a finished seamed edge. I'll take photos of the process for the Slipcover Press, because while the process is easy, it's hard to explain.

Slipcover Summit: Wonderful Venue

Thank you Karen and all for providing a wonderful venue of classes at the Slipcover Summit 2008 in Indy.

I learned so much and I now have the confidence to step forward and make a quality product. I didn't know this type of training was available anywhere.

Now to get to work and make some money! I have already considered how I can take these skills on the road with me when we travel during the winter months. I know there are RV'rs who would love to have new coverings for their sofa beds and dinette seating.

Thanks again for all your hard work.

Roberta Davis
ASG Member in Indy

Slipcover Summit in Indy 2008

Thank you again for everything!!!!

The main reason I was able to attend the 2008 Slipcover Summit in Indianapolis is that I won the Slipcover Design Contest in Boston last year. The prize for winning the contest was a free attendance to the next Summit which for me was 2008.

As a winner of the Slipcover Design Contest, Karen submitted several press releases to local papers and I was very surprised when they were printed. That was also a bonus beyond the 1st place prize!

At this years Summit I felt very privileged being surrounded by so many great teachers. I learned so much from all the teachers and the great variety of classes. I especially want to mention Bernice’s hands on class “Slipcover on the Half”. This class alone was worth the trip for me. I have the confidence to cut in the customer’s home for the first time since I started making slipcovers. This new process will increase my speed and profit. I cannot wait to try it out and my husband will be happy when he doesn’t have to pick up and deliver sofas.

The lunch time speakers were great. We had a visit from the local J Ennis Company representative and Dede’s great lunchtime snap button tufting example. Dede O’Hare shared a wealth of information at the Summit with all of us. Then there was the evening class on fabric vendors. Karen Erickson and Angie Knowles spoke of the new green fabric craze and gave many resources to offer to our customers. Everyone shared their favorite slipcover fabric vendors and we were given a printed listing with phone numbers and websites.

The whole networking experience was incredible. We exchanged tips and techniques till the wee hours of the night. I have made many friends and had a great time at the Thursday evening dinner. All I can say is that what happens in Indy stays in Indy.

I want to give a great big “Thank You” to our great host Sheryl McAfee and her Hope Convenant church for hosting the Summit and to Stephanie for the great lunches each day.

I recommend attending the next Summit which will be in Seattle, Washington in 2009, to anyone who makes slipcovers or would love to learn how to make slipcovers.

Teresa Bennett

Cozy Cottage Slipcovers

Parma, OH

1 Week Until the Slipcover Summit

Shirley are you out there?

How does your Garden Grow?

We will miss you but will take lots of photos.

always
Karen

Roommate for Summit

I'm looking for a roommate for the Summit. Anyone want to share? Email me @ threadneedle@tampabay.rr.com.

Angie

Deadline for Design Contest

Slipcover Design Contest 2008

If you make slipcovers for furniture now is your opportunity to enter your favorite Slipcover Creations....

Deadline is June 1st...

Send in your entery NOWclick here to print off entry form

1st Time Slipcover

Louise from Idaho came to a Slipcover Workshop last weekend and look at her results!

Am I a good teacher, or is Louise just talented?

:) Karen

12 Weeks until the Slipcover Summit

12 Weeks until the Slipcover Summit (click here)

It's time to

• pick your classes
• make your reservation to the hotel
• plan your trip

Here are the classes

Here is the flyer

Slipcover Design Contest

Amy Walker NEEDs our Help with Fabric

I have a customer who wants microfiber for a couch. I have not sewn with microfiber before. What do I need to know and where do I get it?

Also, where are you getting your welt cord?

And, after coming to the sewing retreat I signed up with a few fabric companies but have yet to find anyone with cotton,linen or blends home decor weight fabrics.
I seem to have a lot of customers who want natural fibers. I want some simple and retro/modern type stuff. Does anybody work with these?

Thanks, Amy

Slipcover Design Contest 2008

If you make slipcovers for furniture now is your opportunity to enter your favorite Slipcover Creations....

Deadline is June 1st... Send in your entery NOW

click here to print off entry form

Welcome to Geroge of Custom Drapery Workoom

A big welcome to George Rigney Custom Drapery Workroom

Atlantic Highlands N.J. 07716

George has been in business for 40 years. He also has done Slipcovers.

Welcome George to the forum.

always
Karen

It's Time To Re-Introduce Yourself

Hi...

There are new people who are wanting to participate in the Slipcover Network blog.

So let's re-introduce ourselves..................

Name
Business Name
Where are you located?
How long in business?

Why you have joined this forum?

I'll go first...
---------------------------------------------------------------
Karen

Business: Slipcover Network

Home office: Snohomish, Washington

Been in Business: 22 years

I joined because I enjoy networking with others who love slipcovers, for new ideas in fabrication and earth friendly fabrics "green". I also want to help others grow in their businesses.

Slipcovers from Orchard Park NY

Slipcovers from

JoAnn Duggan

Orchard Park, New York

Professional Sewing Workroom MeetUP

I have started one in Washington also. Why don't you start one where you live and meet others who are sewing in the area. Cost is not a lot, and you can become the expert where you live plus meet others in the industry.

Claudia started one in Arizona too.

Here is the Washington Professional Sewing Workroom MeetUp

Best Organizing Tips

Do you have any great organizing tips? Then please share them with me! In preparation for my class--Sew Organized--at the Summit in June I am collecting organizing tips and ideas from other professionals in the industry. If you have any tips for getting and staying organized, I would love to hear them.

I will also be compiling these tips into a booklet to be sold at the Summit. All net proceeds from the booklet will be donated to the Scholarship fund. If you would like your tip to be published (you will receive credit) please let me know.

And if you have any specific organizing challenges you would like to see covered in the booklet and the class, email them to me.

Lastly, I am looking for several slipcover professionals to profile in the booklet. If you are interested, let me know.

My email is threadneedle@tampabay.rr.com.

Looking forward to receiving some great tips.

Angie

Undergarment Advise

Question - I just received a slipcover job - 4 leather bar stools (the seats are a full parson) What would I make the undergarment out of so that the decorative fabric doesn't shift around?

Thanks again,

Sherree

in Canada

can we make stuff sticky ?

so the important posts stay at the top of the page ? Otherwise I feel like talking about other stuff would be nonsense, if the stuff that folks should read doesn't get pushed down the page.

Slipcover Pros in Atlanta this March

March 26-29th

International Window Coverings Expo

Georgia World Congress Center

Atlanta, Georgia

Come, join us in the Slipcover Network exhibit booth.

Plan to join us as we share slipcovering with the trade.
I just hear through the grapevine that Shirley, Angie, Claudia, Julie and I will be there.

Sure would be fun to have a lot more of us!

I will be doing a presentation on Wednesday before the exhibit floor opens, then Claudia and I have been asked to present in the Construction Zone.

If you have never been before this is a great show regarding Interior Home Decor.

Slipcover Design Contest 2008

NOW IS YOUR OPPORTUNITY

This is your opportunity to show off how creative you can be, to peers in the industry and potential customers alike.

Votes will be cast by ballot for the: Best Designed Slipcover

All voting will be done during the 2008 Slipcover Summit in Indianapolis, Indiana June 25-27.
Entries must be post marked no later than June 1, 2008 to be eligible for the contest.

1st Prize in will receive:
Full admittance plus all supplies for classes to the Slipcover Summit in 2009 ($400 value)
1 yrs Directory listing and Slipcover Press (full Membership with the Slipcover Network $45 value)
Photo of award winning slipcover to be used in all advertising regarding the Slipcover Summit and Slipcover Network, plus choice placement on the 2009 Slipcover Calendar.

2nd Prize will receive:
1 yrs Directory listing and Slipcover Press (full Membership with the Slipcover Network $45 value)

Gift Certificate Value from Home Fashions U ($45 value) Choose from Books, DVDs or Supplies in relations to the Sewing Fabrication Industry.

Photo of award winning slipcover to be used in all advertising regarding the Slipcover Summit and Slipcover Network, plus choice placement on the 2009 Slipcover Calendar.

3rd Prize will receive:
Gift Certificate from Home Fashions U ($45 value) Choose from Books, DVDs or Supplies.
Photo of award winning slipcover to be used in all advertising regarding the Slipcover Summit and Slipcover Network, plus placement on the 2009 Slipcover Calendar.

Slipcover Design Entry must submit:
1) Quality 8x10 photos shot from 4 sides of Slipcover
Make sure to high light special design features of the slipcover in a close up photo.
2) Brief description of how any special design features were accomplished should be included in the entry.
Photo will only be returned if a self addressed envelop is included with submission.

Name_________________

Address_______________

City___________________

Zip code_______________

Email_________________

Website_______________

Phone_________________

Mail to: Slipcover Network
1101 Ave D C102 PMB 128
Snohomish, Wa. 98290

Questions about the contest
slipcovernetwork@email.com
800-267-4958

Laurie's Ideas Slipcover After the Summit

Laurie received a Scholarship to the Slipcover Summit in June of 2007

Here is an idea she picked up during the Summit and has used it in one of her jobs for a customer.






What a great idea Lauire! You can reach Laurie at rbrule@comcast.net

Olson Slipcovers Happy New Year

Stagging and wanted to use the old furniture.

Sofa before the Slipcovers

The Slipcovers on the sofa

delivered poly suede slipcover

my first, and I have good news and regular news about that. No, I didn't take photos, it wouldn't have photographed well the good points, and it had good points.

the priority was cat claws, and I think we chose well for that. Another issue was wipeability, and I think we chose well for that.

As you know, there won't be any chance to press the final cover, and that is a hard thing for me to shake off.

My major concern is with maintenance, when air does not pass through it's a problem.

Air is expelled when we sit, and then the furniture is gasping for air when we get up. The poly sticks where our rear ends slid it to. That's the description, not a judgement.

In this case, I'd be happy to repeat the effort for the same priorities, as cat claws and need to wipe for cats is certainly a hard goal to plan for. The poly suede was very good for that.

Just a report that my old brain still has some flexibility.

Little old ladies and their ridiculous rates

Just got off the phone with a potential customer. She moved a Queen Anne chair into another room, and the "eggplant slipcover she had made "just a few months ago" doesn't match anymore. It's "very clever, with Velcro on it so it doesn't move - can you imagine doing all that at her age?"

A "nice old lady" made it, you see. For (get this) $70.

I think I'm gonna be sick... No, really - this is making me physically ill.

Everybody bug Rusty

tell him we need a man's perspective. Tell him we need him in June.....

Rusty is a high volume double on half old urban slipcover workhorse like we sometimes talk about.

so as to avoid the trawlers I am writing it so it won't highlight

slipcover it

at

yahoo

dot


com

who's in Trenton or near by ?

who can give me a sizing up of the slipcover market there ?

I do mean specifically Trenton or north as opposed to Philly, who works that area,, anyone we know ?

Fabric sources

Claudia will be teaching a class at this years Summit on Fabric Sources, but in the meantime, let me suggest some words to Google.

Min Fab , Carr Textile, cut yardage textiles. Others here may give you specific links.

There are no shortage of fabric jobbers, though you'll want to be very specific in your quizzing of these companies before paying for books.

Personally, I only ever use cotton 8 ounces per yard or more, and I only ever order from folks who actually have stock.

You'll want to know what you are willing to sell, as 99% of what books they may ask you to buy will be appropriate for windows but perhaps not slipcovers.

Making copies

the only ways I have discovered that work for me are :

making a double on half cutting with the real fabric, trimming the seams down to the intended seam allowance, complete with all the signals you give yourself. Take out the pins, and make another ( or make 12, or 200 ).

or: making a single on half fitting, out of the real cloth or muslin, trim, use signals, and then make not only your duplicates but the second half of the first cutting, if you used decor fabric to fit with.

these are reasonable strategies if you have certain insurance.

leave plenty of skirt hem, to individualize copies if need be.

Triple check your assumptions that matching furniture is alike enough to do this, then use the largest one. Only differences within certain tolerances merit using absolute copies ** read below.

Use cotton fabric, soak and dry ( if that can be done safely ) to increase elasticity. Think how elastic works in your clothes, same here.

Never assume a pattern or an original cutting can be used to copy to a less elastic fabric than the one fitted, never. It will likely be too small, unless you leave big seams, and even then, it's likely not good. Only copy to the same fabric, or to a more elastic one.

If your copies turn out too large, this is easier to fix than if they come out too small, obviously. *** you may copy your duplicates with a larger seam allowance and then try one each to individualize, this is possible with enough patience and perhaps more trips.

Copies can be better than if fitted one by one from a couple perspectives. Yes, the fit won't be as good. But, the seams will all be in the same places, as will be the motif. If the cord stands out and the pattern placement stands out loudy as well, then copies can be very good.

Double on half will be offered at the next Summit, and this is where all copy strategies begin, double on half.

Once you do it you'll wonder why you didn't do it sooner.