Introducing John French

One of my former students, John French, is also teaching slipcover making.  Starting in Dallas, after a few years in Wales, John is back in the US in the Seattle area.  His site just keeps getting better and better and his photo gallery of students' work includes more student pictures and messages than any site of this kind.

Here's to you, John.  May you enjoy teaching as much as I do.  Many more happy years....

Becky Spicer

In 1999 Becky Spicer walked into my shop on Park Hill for the first time.  She said: "Hi, I am Becky Spicer and I have moved here from Dallas.  I make slipcovers."  Turns out her former name was Becky Pena, and she was already very popular in the Dallas area..

Becky learned to make slipcovers from her grandmother.  She said she used to hide under the sewing table and fall asleep.  This picture shows Becky pinning a very unusual arm style, flat on top with an "S" curve.  This chair is an open arm chair, but the slipcover will likely cover the entire chair, wood and all.

I offered Becky a job and she worked in the Park Hill shop for a year or so.  During that time she made friends with my daughter, Anne Kuykendall, who was also working there.  They are still close friends and have made trips to Florida together to visit Anne's brother, Bill Reese.

During the Slipcover Summit that was held here in Fort Worth, Becky taught a class on closings, which was very well received. She makes beautiful slipcovers.  Her website is at http://beckyspicer.com/

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Sources for Slipcover Tools

Through the years I have collected a good many sources for tools as well as supplies.  One of my favorites is Banasch's.  They are in Cincinnati, Ohio and carry all kind of supplies and equipment for anybody in the business of sewing.  They have shears, machines, boiler irons, chairs for machine work, you name it.

Another is C. S. Osborne & Co. who are in Harrison, N. J.  Their things are sold through distributors, whose names you can find on the web site..  They have tools and supplies for upholsters and awning and canvas workers.

Atlanta Thread & Supply can be reached at 1-800-847-1001.  They guarantee same day shipping.  They carry machines, lots of types of thread (a thread color chart is in their catalog) They have WISS shears in the 10" size that I use in the shop, and have a special pair for left handed people.  They have pins, tailor's chalk and poly bags.

R. H. Rowley Co. is the favorite in North Carolina.
They have the new quick-release rings that you need if you are making Roman shades.  They have Gutermann thread and polyester batting.  They also offer feather and down bedding and pillow forms

Please send in your own favorite sources.  In the weeks ahead I will focus on one type of tool or supplies that we all find useful.

All the best,  Pat R.