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Pattern

early 1950s (published)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

These patterns for loose armchair covers are interesting pieces of ephemera in terms of British domestic design of the mid-20th century. They show the extent to which durability was key during this period of austerity. The loose covers would further extend the life of the furniture underneath, and by making more covers in a different fabric the homeowner could avoid boredom with a particular fabric by quickly changing the mood or style of a setting at a relatively small cost.

These covers are part of the Utility Scheme in Britain in the 1940s and early 1950s, a government initiative which promoted the design and supply of simple, functional, hardwearing objects, including clothing, furniture and homewares in a time of limited resources. The V&A holds an interesting collection of Utilty objects and these furniture covers relate particularly to Utility Furniture designs by Gordon Russell in the Designs Collection and pieces of Utility Furniture in the Woodwork Collection.


Object details

Category
Object type
Materials and techniques
Printed paper
Brief description
Pattern published by Weldons Ltd, early 1950s, for a Utility armchair
Physical description
A white sheet of printed paper with text headed 'Hints on making loose covers'
Dimensions
  • Height: 21.5cm
  • Width: 16.5cm
Style
Credit line
Given by Albertina Cogram
Summary
These patterns for loose armchair covers are interesting pieces of ephemera in terms of British domestic design of the mid-20th century. They show the extent to which durability was key during this period of austerity. The loose covers would further extend the life of the furniture underneath, and by making more covers in a different fabric the homeowner could avoid boredom with a particular fabric by quickly changing the mood or style of a setting at a relatively small cost.

These covers are part of the Utility Scheme in Britain in the 1940s and early 1950s, a government initiative which promoted the design and supply of simple, functional, hardwearing objects, including clothing, furniture and homewares in a time of limited resources. The V&A holds an interesting collection of Utilty objects and these furniture covers relate particularly to Utility Furniture designs by Gordon Russell in the Designs Collection and pieces of Utility Furniture in the Woodwork Collection.
Collection
Accession number
E.1482:3-2000

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Record createdMarch 16, 2009
Record URL
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