Today in this world of fast everything, most of us just don't have the time (nor patience) to do an all consuming job of making a slipcover. We go buy them and not always are they what we want. They are generic in most cases and just don't work on the furniture right or look professional. If you can find the time and feel creative, you can produce a masterpiece for an old (or new) piece of furniture that needs a change to correspond with a new room update. The slipcover will produce a sense of confirmation and beauty for "you", the person doing the work. A job well done is always good for growing self- confidence and character!
I owned a very busy tailor shop and I was use to "custom fitting" my clients and worked the slipcovers the same way. When one was finished, it was hard to tell if the piece had been re-upholstered or slip covered. What a great feeling it was to see the finished piece!
So with that said, I have a few techniques for you to use that will make this lost art of slipcover making a bit easier.
Start with a simple furniture piece. A good example would be an ottoman, simple dining chair or a toaster! Look at the piece, see where the natural lines are? That is where the seams will be for the slipcover. Scratch out a picture of your furniture piece, this will help as you take measurements for pieces. Measure width and length, add an extra 1¼" to width and length for seams. Write each piece size down on drawing to reference from. Make sure you have your closure type figured out. You will need to add extra material for overlapping if using velcro or ties and zippers. Where will your closures be? Do you even need one on this slip cover? All of this needs to be calculated into original diagram of furniture piece. We will tailor fit these pieces to the furniture INSIDE OUT. You will end up with all your slipcover pieces being odd sized squares or rectangles, etc. This is easier for quick marking and cutting instead of attempting to cut the exact shape of each piece. There will be some extra material in certain areas (which you will cut away) but it gives you room for making a few mistakes! Remember, the art of slip covers and upholstery is very forgiving!
If you are using denim or heavy cotton or anything that does not have to be dry-cleaned for your slipcover, I suggest you preshrink the material. You can wash and dry it later many times without shrinkage (a great option if you have small children and newer furniture). Choose a solid color. Sheets or curtains (even older ones found at Goodwill if you're on a budget) can work for making slipcovers and you may find them on sale to make the cost less. Cording can be covered and added into prominent seams of the slipcover if you want to add some detail. Most of your material to cover cording with will come from the leftover inches at the sides going along the length. They will be long pieces sewn together on a mitered seam. Cording material width is 1 ¼". Cutting everything with pinking scissors will eliminate (to a certain degree) having to serge or finish the edge of raveling fabric.
You will "railroad" your slipcover measurements by marking them (and eventually cutting), going length wise on fabric and then side by side across the width of fabric. If you have an exceptionally wide piece you will "railroad" it going length of material instead of across, thus avoiding seams. Visualize how the sizes will lay out on the fabric, using drawings here will be very helpful. Example: If you use 60" width material, you will get at least 3 dining chair slipcover backs across, if they are 16" ? 18" wide. They could run 36" ? 48" in length down the material. Then you will need to figure the inside back, seat, and sides or skirting (remember, if you are doing 2 or more of same, times each piece by the number you are doing). Depending on how much turn up you want for the hem will depend on how much extra you add on side or skirting measurement. Figure out how much material you will need by calculating the length of longest slipcover pieces, adding them together and divide by 36" for yardage. Make sure to utilize the most from your fabric. There are cheat sheets at some material stores that give basic yardage for upholstering & slip covering furniture , see if you can find one, their priceless!
Once you have all your measurements for your slip cover pieces, start with the largest sizes and mark everything out on your fabric, WRONG SIDE. You will need a yardstick or longer, measuring tool. A large square is good to have also. (Any hardware store should carry the tools) Label all pieces; i.e. back back, front back, seat, sides or skirting, etc. Cut your pieces.
Holding your slipcover pieces up to the furniture piece INSIDE OUT, pin the seams together about every 2 inches lengthwise along the seam. Make sure to center your pieces over furniture so you have equal seam allowance on sides, edges, etc. Back-back to front-back, pin. Seat to front-back, pin and so on. Sew these pieces together. Once you start sewing, your seams will only be about 3/8" instead of the full 5/8". This gives the slipcover a tiny bit of room to move when finished. I recommend getting some T-pins to use when you are making slipcovers for larger upholstered pieces, you can stick them into the furniture and they will hold the slipcover fabric in place when fitting the pieces together.
Normally, I will pin fit the whole slipcover together inside out on the furniture piece, then go sew, removing pins along the way. This is similar to a puzzle, make sure to sew all seams that dead end into other seams first. Once you have it sewn together, turn it right side out and fit it. Check for areas that may be a bit off and correct. From experience I can tell you it is usually pretty good if you can sew a straight seam. You can put some masking tape on your sewing machine face plate and mark 3/8" over from the needle to help with this. Complete all finishing touches, stand back and take a picture!
This is a wonderful way to grow patience, skill and redecorate for less. There is time involved, but you will have a great sense of accomplishing a lost art! Have fun!
There is more to this than what I have here, but you should be able to get a pretty good idea of what to do and how. There are some very good books you can get from your public library and material/craft stores to help you and I would be happy to help, if you mail me at the address below.
About the Author:
Robin Hall has been a successful Tailor by trade in the Midwest with over 30 years in business. She has sewn everything from leather, to clothes and alterations including home décor items. She has just started an online home décor store where you will find a little bit of everything including great tips on decorating and home improvement. Please stop by and see us/her at http://www.coollampsnstuff.com or send email with questions to sales@coollampsnstuff.com
![]() |
|
![]() |
|
![]() |
|
![]() |
Cigar humidors are storage units designed to hold, preserve and... Read More
Virtually everyone has the knowledge they need to make a... Read More
Origami, or the art of paper folding, has been around... Read More
Memories are priceless, but the cost of preserving them can... Read More
Colleges, schools, university and the like are one way you... Read More
Ceramics can be delicate and decorative or unrefined and utilitarian.... Read More
The image of a crafter or artisan is often serene,... Read More
Lanyards are pieces of rope, wire, or cloth specifically designed... Read More
The choice of what gift to give your family and... Read More
From baby pictures to vacation pictures, images of family and... Read More
They're out of school and back to torment the neighborhood... Read More
Ah, the sweet smell of fresh flowers, herbs and fruit.... Read More
How many of you are always looking for new ways... Read More
Soap making can be a wonderful hobby but if you've... Read More
What will separate your party from all the other events... Read More
Have you ever thought about signing on with a scrapbooking... Read More
Do you dream of watching the natural beauty of the... Read More
Many names are associated with events such as these. Craft... Read More
Racks and racks of bookmarks ranging from funny to inspirational... Read More
Color coordination and contrast will highlight and accent your scrapbook.... Read More
As a devoted scrapper, you probably gain satisfaction from scrapbooking... Read More
This can be as simple & basic Or advanced &... Read More
Today's handmade quilts are more like a work of art... Read More
You will find scrapbook supplies for photos and pictures in... Read More
MATERIALSA Large Round or Oval BalloonNewspaper, torn into 1 inch... Read More
The practice of cigar smoking has been on the rise... Read More
From age 25 onwards, our grand adventure has just unfolded... Read More
Puzzle pieces make playful embellishments and borders. Puzzle pieces give... Read More
I have been involved with stamps nearly my entire life.... Read More
The theme of your scrapbook can be simple or complex.... Read More
Feel sad, tired, or a little bit stressed? Something as... Read More
Greetings to all Crafty Pagans,Witches and those who want to... Read More
Even most non-cigar smokers have heard some of the lore... Read More
From age 25 onwards, our grand adventure has just unfolded... Read More
One of the biggest challenges faced by airbrush artists are... Read More
Welcome to the world of Reverse Painting on Glass. Reverse... Read More
There are several types of refrigerator magnets that you can... Read More
Ceramics can be delicate and decorative or unrefined and utilitarian.... Read More
After making the leaf bead, I was impressed with the... Read More
Looking at all the various swords for sale online can... Read More
This can be as simple & basic Or advanced &... Read More
Reverse painting on glass has been a form of art... Read More
The roar of the crowd as the cars rush by,... Read More
According to the dictionary, collage art is an artistic composition... Read More
There was once a time when almost everyone acquired, or... Read More
Your cousin's friend in Saskatchewan has asked you to design... Read More
Last year our family tried out a new way to... Read More
Before I discovered the world of scrapbooking, I was inexplicably... Read More
Since genealogy is my hobby, my profession, and my passion,... Read More
Woodworking: Know Your WoodWood is made of cellulose fibers, held... Read More
A leather look can add elegance to your scrapbooking page.To... Read More
Woodworking: Where To Start - Tips From Experienced WoodworkersWoodworking encompasses... Read More
What, Exactly, Is Kona Cotton? Kona(R) cotton is a premium,... Read More
Superhero action figures first stormed the doors of department stores... Read More
Need a cost effective way to get rid of mosquitoes?... Read More
It looks like a million dollars but after a couple... Read More
Flower arranging has become increasingly popular as a hobby, for... Read More
One huge advantage of knowing about family history is that... Read More
Feathers make exotic and interesting embellishments and borders. Feathers add... Read More
From baby pictures to vacation pictures, images of family and... Read More
Woodworking: The Process Of Making Something Using WoodThe art of... Read More
How To Clean A Silk BouquetA Silk bouquet can last... Read More
Dried hydrangea wreaths are so beautiful and versatile in a... Read More
Making chunk candles is an and fun activity for all... Read More
Given the progress in inkjet and media technology, demand for... Read More
Do you love burning beautiful, scented candles? And do you... Read More
Crafts & Hobbies |