I am getting a new recliner and my DH has very oily hair. I want to quilt a "head protector" to throw over the top of the recliner that can just be thrown in the wash. The recliner is beige so I thought beiges, browns and a few creams for the color. Any ideas on a pattern I should use?

How about a log cabin? That would have enough eye appeal with the narrow strips that you might not notice discoloration (oil) so much or as fast anyway.

Good idea to put something on that area right away. It's quite surprising how much we shed.

I put microfiber towels on the fabric arms of the recliner we bought - and they do get dirty!

They do look a bit dorky, but they do help keep the arms cleaner.

remember when doilies were used for that purpose? i like the idea of the quilt better. i like Becky Crafts suggestion of the log cabin.

Wow, the return of the antimacassar. Sounds like a fun quick project!

just looked up "macassar" - it's a kind of oil, that was used, especially by men, to make one's hair shine and lay flat.

so "anti-macassar" does make sense!

Never could figure out how a doily, with all the holes in it, was much good for keeping the upholstery oil free.

I too, use hand towels on the arms and back of my husband's recliner because of his oily hair/hands...I can just toss them in the washer... :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: Naomi

I need to make some for the armrests of my mother's old furniture that I have. The old fabric is so itchy that my arms get very sore in the summer without sleeves! I started to make 1/4 of a lap quilt for each arm but it was too pretty so I made it all! I also have a quilted block on the back of my recliner! Felt kinda "dirty" so I'm glad others need them, too!

I need to make some for the armrests of my mother's old furniture that I have. The old fabric is so itchy that my arms get very sore in the summer without sleeves! I started to make 1/4 of a lap quilt for each arm but it was too pretty so I made it all! I also have a quilted block on the back of my recliner! Felt kinda "dirty" so I'm glad others need them, too!

I made placemats, crocheted and quilted, for my hubby's chair. When one set is in the wash, the other goes on. There is one for his head rest and one for each arm.

I know what you mean. On my husband's recliner, I use a bath towel the same color as the chair on the back. It helps with the sweat in the summer. Two hand towels on the arms completes the set.

Jean

Great idea! I wish I had put something on the arms of our recliners when we got them.....now they are an eyesore and hard to clean. Will have to make something for the headrests and arms when we get our new furniture.

DH's recliner has a removable head and arm rests that are easy to take off and wash. I bought an extra set when we bought the chair too. They look like they aren't removable so don't distract from the look of the chair or fall off or get all crumpled up.

I have an old, very, very comfy Lazy Boy recliner that I love. I sat in every chair in my town and in two other towns before I found "MY" chair. But my hair dresser said the reason the back of my hair is getting so dry was because of it..she had asked about a couch or chair because the rest of my hair was healthy with enough oil. So I'm making a fitted covering for the top third of the back of the chair.
I'm thinking the front should be some sort of Polyester or nylon because it doesn't absorb oils as well as the usual upholstery fabrics do. Haven't decided on the pattern yet, or bought the fabric for the top layer. The front room itself will have to decide what the pattern is going to be.

Some of the table runners make cute patterns. They hang over both sides far enough, that they stay on a little better.
Backing them with flannel helps to keep them in place too :D:D:D

oh reminds me. my first hubby used some sort of hair oil and our white pillowcases turned gray. yuck. finally got it out with a good detergent.

Mine doesn't use anything, his head is just naturally oily. I may go with the microfiber towels. That sounds like a good idea. Thanks for the handy hints everyone!

Tell the hubby to take a shower... ; ) Scotchguard works really well on furniture. I spray every few months. Wipe off any spots with a damp sponge. Works great and the couch and chair still look new.

I love that word. I remember embroidering the antimacassar and matching arm rest covers for our couch and chairs. The way I understand it is that Macassar was the name of hair "goo" that men used on their hair. So to prevent the oil from getting on the upholstery of the furniture, VOILA! an antimacassar! Someone has learned something new today, right??????

I love learning origins of words! Edie

You might want to consider using some kind of material on the back as oils will soak through cotton.... a light plastic sheet or something similar.

You might want to consider using some kind of material on the back as oils will soak through cotton.... a light plastic sheet or something similar.

sorry for the double post. My computer froze.

I purchased some wire screw-like pins at Hobby Lobby that I use to hold the arm and back covers on my recliner. I don't recall the correct name for them. They have a clear head on them and the pins are coiled like a screw and screw right into the protector and into the chair. Poor explanation I know, but the clerk will probably know what you are talking about. Good luck. Marge L.

Kistie: Beautiful quilt. BrendaK

Using twist pins will keep the arm covers and antimacassar from shifting or slipping. They're easily removed when you want to wash the covers. You can find them at any upholstery shop.
And making fitted arm covers is easy using a piece of cardboard and a tape measure

Same here...but it's time to replace them and I may make something with decorator weight fabric...maybe terry (or a towel) on the side that goes next to the chair, to help it stay on, and fabric on the side facing out. Anyone done that?

Anita

My favorite recliner is leather and pleather so I made the back protector envelope-style, really like a big, upside down tote bag. It stays in place that way without upholstery pins, etc. Used stretchy fleece fabric on the back so I can pop it on and off for washing. Got the idea when I made seat covers for my car. The expensive but unattractive commercial covers use lots of thin synthetic knits on the sides and backs. I had some grey fleece left from another project and found it had enough stretch that I could just make side seams (pin-fitted them on the seats first) for the upright seats and they went on and off like socks. An outdoorsy fleece might be nice for your chair, if it fits the rest of the room. (Throw pillows to match, maybe?) :idea:

Get one of those fabric picture panels. Make a sadwich, quilt and bind it. I did the buffalo one for my husband's chair. Everyone admires it...........

So true. Love your quilt idea.

I have a whole quilt on my husband's chair - covers everything and is very comfy as it is all cotton. I take if off when we have company.
My Mom always had throws or towels on all furniture to protect it. Quess I am doing the same. My hubby wanted the quilt on it.

I made a small quilt out of my old polyester neck ties. The polyester washes well and the batting prevents any oil from soaking through.

A large star

create a design that matches your decor. How about something he is interested in like fishing, tv, bowling etc.

When my little granddaughter was in Kindergarten I made her a little quilt to nap on. She is now 20 and I have been using that little nap quilt on the back of my lounger for almost 10 years now...Works great.

I put sheets on ours. The queen size ones. Our little girl loves to sit on them also. She is our Kokoa(Toy Poodle)

My husband has a lazy boy he sits in when he comes in from the barn for lunch. It isn't practical for him to change clothes just to have lunch. I would have to put a whole quilt over it to protect it. I call it his " toxic chair" I do however, put a huge bath sheet over the back of the chair and headrest so that I can at least wash that part.

I made a cover with a bath towel that matched my fabric to a "T"