I have IKEA’s Patrik as my desk chair. I still like it and it’s comfortable, but I’d like to change the color. I think having it reupholstered would probably be too expensive, so I thought a slipcover could be a good solution.
Do you think it would be too hard to do though? There are a lot of crazy angles.
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'F' for Fabric, Crafty (& Handy), Office • 21 Comments • April 10, 2008
If you don’t want to recover the entire thing, I can envision a project where you slip covers on to each of the three parts that stick up. Almost like very fitted pillowcases, if that makes sense. And then just leave the seat part as-is. Of course, the fabric would have to match.
That’s funny… My sister’s over, and I was explaining it to her the same way. “You know, like three pillowcases! Except I don’t know how to connect them.”
Yvonne over at Yvestown recovered a Skruvsta, which I imagine would have some similar issues.
Here’s the link:
http://www.yvestown.com/archives/2006/08/skruvsta.html
Yes, I remember. Her chair turned out beautifully!
The Swedish company Bemz makes alternative covers for Ikea-furniture and they use great looking fabrics! Great idea, huh?
I’m not sure they make covers for Patrik yet, but e-mail them and ask. I think it’s possible that they’d make one especially for you too – their prices are reasonable! There is an English version of their homepage, they ship to the US and you can get free swatches!)
Check them out: https://www.bemz.com/
Buy some cheap fabric to play with (old sheet works well) – cut three large rectangles (much wider than needed) – drape one over each arm (from edge where meets seat to outside lower edge) and drape the third one over the back (it will go from lower edge on front of seat to lower edge in back). Then pin the sides to fit and pin side rectangles to back rectangle at the sides of the seat. Only place you will have to get creative is the back corners of the seat where side meets back – but if you make your rectangles wide enough you should be able to make it work. Then carefully lift it off & baste together along the pins – double check that it fits – and then you have a pattern for as many different slipcovers as you want! Or it might fit better to do 2 large rectangles – on that goes from side to side (over both arms and across the seat) and the one for the back that meets it at the back of the seat. Do just a simple hem hanging loose at the bottom – it may look casual & rumpled but that might work. May need to make a little over sized if heavy upholstery fabric to accomodate the bulk in the seams. Hope this all makes sense.
If anyone can make it work, you can!
What colour are you thinking of changing it to?
It can work ut just some warning,the curvy corners look a little wonky even with lots of tinkering.
I think a great ‘runner’ if you will down the center/back/body/bottom of the chair could do wonders for it if you dont want to compleatly reupholster.
This is a great idea! Have you got any ideas on fabric yet?
Katie over at ‘sew that’s it’ http://sewthatsit.blogspot.com/ (Raya from the paper pony’s mum) makes slipcovers and they always look great! I think she’d be a great person to ask re the angles and what would work best!
also have you heard of the ikea hacker blog? – so great!
I have no idea what is involved in that, but I think if anyone could do it you could!
not for you – show us in the morning.
OK, I can’t really offer any advice, I can’t sew. But good luck and show us what you end up doing!
I’ve noticed that Amy Butler has done that! Page 89 of her new book Midwest Modern.
Oh, you’re right! I wonder if she’d have any tips! :)
Ikea are having a 21% off sale in the UK if anyone is interested. I prefer a nice leather chair myself.
I have 2 of the straight-leg versions in grey. I was just thinking about the same thing, yesterday…my solution…a seat pillow and maybe some sort of embellishment on the backs…I do think a cover would be hard. at least, too hard for me!
i have the same chair in my office… and have flirted with the idea as well, especially now that spring has sprung and my charcoal wool chairs don’t feel so springlike!
i’ll chew on it… but definitely let us know what you come up with!
I bet that would look GREAT!! Did you ever follow up on this project?
I would say just reupholster it yourself. If you will be putting slip covers on all three sections it is just as practical.
that looks pretty comfortable. i dont know if i like the red though.