Hi there! Monica here!
Today, I’m going to wear my teacher’s hat for a bit and do a little exercise with you that I hope you find both entertaining and informative.
Why Slipcovers are Awesome
Reasoning: Why you Need Slipcovers
Choosing Slipcovers: Where can I get Slipcovers for my Couch or Chair?
How Much do Slipcovers Cost?
What Does CER Mean?
Before we talk about slipcovers, let’s talk about how you make a case for something. Have you ever heard of a CER? For you science folks out there, maybe you have, but if you haven’t, just think of a court case. “C” stands for claim, “E” for evidence, and “R” for reasoning. I’m going to make this very simple, and this is the way I teach CER’s in my high school classes. You’re given a question to answer, which you answer in the form of a claim, which is simply a statement. Next, you cite evidence to support your claim. As you’re making your case, if you find that your evidence doesn’t support your claim then you’ll have to come up with a new one. Once you have a successful claim and evidence, you’ll use accepted scientific principles, i.e., your reasoning, to tie together your claim and evidence.
Here’s an example. Johnny was arrested for allegedly stealing a car on Saturday. He was brought to trial in front of a judge and jury, and he had an attorney present.
Judge: “Ms. Attorney, how does your client plead to the charges of grand theft auto?”
Ms. Attorney: “Your honor, my client pleads not guilty.”
So is that the end of the trial? The defendant’s attorney says her client is not guilty and that is that? No, of course not. Evidence must be presented.
Here’s the claim: “My client did not steal the car.”
Evidence (presented by Ms. Attorney): “The automobile in question was stolen on Saturday between the hours of 7 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. My client was at his mother’s house Saturday night during those hours and she is willing to testify on his behalf. My client does not have a driver’s license, has never had a driver’s license, and does not know how to drive. My client has a girlfriend. My client’s girlfriend was also with him at the time of the alleged incident. “My client lives in Alabama; the car was stolen from Maryland.”
Reasoning: “My client was at his mother’s house Saturday evening between the hours of 7 p.m. and 11:00 p.m when the car was allegedly stolen. My client’s mother is willing to testify to that fact. Because my client lives in Alabama and the car was stolen in Maryland, my client was physically unable to steal the car. Furthermore, my client’s girlfriend was also with my client at the time of the alleged theft; she too is willing to testify. Because my client does not have, nor has ever had, a driver’s license, he is unable to drive. These facts demonstrate beyond a reasonable doubt that my client did not steal the car in question.”
Make sense? Well, now I’m going to do a CER for why slipcovers are awesome.
Why Slipcovers are Awesome
Question: Are Custom Slipcovers Worth it?
Claim : Custom Slipcovers are a Must-Have for Your Upholstered Furniture
Evidence : Slipcovers are the Best
- Slipcovers are easy to clean. Simply throw them in the washing machine and hang to dry.
- Slipcovers come in lots of colors.
- Slipcovers come in a variety of durable fabrics.
- Slipcovers are the answer for people who want a white sofa but fear they can’t keep white clean. White slipcovers can be treated with Oxyclean, and even bleach on heavy-duty fabrics like denim.
- Slipcovers can be placed right over upholstery.
- Slipcovers preserve the upholstery underneath.
- Slipcovers save money in the long run by avoiding upholstery cleaning costs.
- Slipcovers are more environmentally friendly than upholstery cleaning chemicals.
- Well-made custom slipcovers are virtually indistinguishable from upholstery.
- Slipcovers can be changed seasonally or when desired for a whole new look.
- Classic white slipcovers never go out of style.
- Slipcovers can be constructed in pieces so that only certain portions need to be removed for cleaning when soiled or stained.
- Slipcovers make your furniture last longer by covering dated fabrics.
Reasoning: Why you Need Slipcovers
Because slipcovers are so easy to care for and are machine washable, your furniture will be cleaner, and cleaner is healthier. Slipcovers are versatile, come in a variety of colors and materials, allow for seasonal changes, and can be placed right over top of your existing upholstery. This means that your furniture will last longer, and you won’t have to replace dated pieces as often.
Well-made slipcovers look so good that they are virtually indistinguishable from regular upholstery, are completely classic, and white slipcovers never go out of style. If you want white furniture but fear soiling white upholstery, then slipcovers are for you because you can wash them as often as you like. Slipcovers save money by avoiding upholstery cleaning costs, and are more environmentally friendly than upholstery cleaning chemicals. When you are able to effectively treat stains without worry, you will be satisfied. When you are satisfied, your mood is improved, and when you are in a good mood you are a happier person. When you are a happier person, those around you will also be happier; therefore, slipcovers are a must-have for upholstered furniture.
Ta-da!
Now that I have convinced you that slipcovers are indeed wonderful and amazing, where do you get them? How do you choose slipcovers?
Choosing Slipcovers: Where can I get Slipcovers for my Couch or Chair?
There are many buying options for slipcovers. Some furniture stores offer slipcovers as an option, usually an upgrade. If this is the case the upholstery underneath will likely be covered in a plain natural muslin fabric. This is typical. If you choose to have your slipcovers custom-made, find a good upholsterer in your area if you can. Beware, however, not all slipcovers are not created equal.
Sewing custom slipcovers is more of a dying art form, so if you know of a good upholsterer or sewing professional, keep that person on speed dial and be patient. He or she is likely booked for the next six months to a year. If you can’t find someone in your area, there are quite a few online sources, although I have never used anyone online so I cannot recommend an online source. A good local seamstress who makes slipcovers, should come right to your door to pick up your furniture. It is a much safer way to ensure the perfect fit. If that is simply not possible, make sure you communicate every measurement precisely to ensure the slipcover fits.
Finally, many sources sell simple slipcovers that are thrown right over top of your furniture and are tucked in. While this might be just what you’re looking for, this is not the type of slipcover we are discussing or recommending in this post.
How Much do Slipcovers Cost?
A seemingly “high” price for a slipcover may in fact, save you time and money in the long run. Consider the fit and length, and the type of fabric. Heavy fabrics like denim wear like iron, are washable, can be ironed or steamed, and are pretty easy to treat when dealing with stains.
To reiterate, consider your budget, not just today, but what you anticipate spending on cleaning and replacing over the next several years.
We hope you found this post helpful!
Until next time…