Aprons Gone Wild

Isn't envy one of the seven deadly sins?

My gut reaction each time I read Teresa Porter's blog, www.cherrycheckers.blogspot.com, is envy. Teresa does the most extraordinary things with her hands and her sewing machine. I first discovered her when she painted her kitchen floor in a black and white diamond pattern that looks absolutely divine. The perfection of Teresa's work is evident in everything she does. Her curtains and slipcover projects, are done with such expertise, you can see it even in a photograph. Teresa is the official seamstress for www.theletteredcottage.blogspot.com, which remains one of the top ten lifestyle blogs on the net with thousands of hits per day.
Once I get over my envy at Teresa's talents, I become inspired. I can sew up an apron with efficiency...or a blouse, or even a pair of curtains. But attempting a slip cover frightens the heck out of me. Yet, when I look at the lovely projects Teresa has done, I am so inspired that "I think I can...I think I can."
Here in sunny Florida, we have a smallish barrel chair that swivels. It's very comfortable and doesn't take up a lot of room so it works well here in our modest little condo. However, it's white! White doesn't stay clean for long, especially in a place where the newspaper is well read. Every notice how newspaper ink seems to find its way around the house? On the
walls, the phone, and in our case, the arms of the white swivel chair. As luck would have it, I found some beautiful, off-white cotton duck fabric that was inexpensive enough to buy several yards of the stuff. (I had no idea how much I would need.) I draped, and pinned and cut and sewed. Swore, and grimaced and pouted and sewed. Finally ended up with a slipcover that does the job, although I'm not sure I should admit to anyone that I made it. The good part is that it comes off easily and can be washed when the newspaper ink builds up on the arms. The little pillows I added can be turned around to get double wear. And the chair looks clean for the first time in a long time.
So...thanks Teresa, for the inspiration. You told me I could do it and I did it. But...don't look too close. I don't think it can pass the test of scrutiny. Maybe I'll get better with time. Hmmm, let's see what else I can cover.