A slipcover can make a big difference in your home’s décor
Sometimes your furniture is not worn out or uncomfortable but it just looks tired or no longer matches the decor you desire. That is the perfect time to sew a new slipcover and give your furniture that feels great new outfit!
7 things you should know before purchasing or MAKING your own slipcover
- Having a custom slipcover made is an investment.
- Loose and shabby chic is not the same as a custom-fitted
- Just because they say “sure fit” doesn’t mean they will fit your piece
- Store-bought ready-made slipcovers will always look MESSY and unkempt
- No, you can’t just tuck a blanket or sheet around your furniture and expect it to stay looking nice.
- Fabric choice DOES matter
- Before you buy the full yardage you need for your slipcover purchase a quarter yard and test several thicknesses together if you are using a home sewing machine to make sure it can handle the fabric layers. Sometimes there are 6 or more layers at an intersectional.
- Upholstery twist pins holding a slipcover in place can and will damage your fabric over time. (especially if you LIVE in your home)
Bill and I recently bought a new home and of course I wanted to change the decor. Our sofa is in great shape but the fabric was a little faded and not quite the style I wanted in our new home. So, I decided to make a slipcover.
Choosing a fabric that will withstand the grandchildren and our two long-haired black cats was a must!
I chose an off white fabric from Revolution Fabrics Slipcover Twill line. Before I made the slipcover I took one yard of the fabric, soiled it with a bit of dirt, and threw it in the washer using the suggested washing method to test the durability of the fabric. I was totally amazed, the fabric was clean, wrinkle-free, and still looked brand new. I did NOT put it in the dryer.
Techniques to ensure great fitting slipcovers
- Accurately measure for your cuts leaving enough extra for pinning and seam allowances
- Use long strong pins for pin fitting your fabric
- (I use Rowley Company’s 1 ⅞” glass head straight pins)
- I find pinning with the wrong side of the fabric out gives me the best results
- Pin the fabric pieces together tighter than you think you should
- Prepare your arm panel pieces prior to pinning
- Adding cording (welting) helps to define the shape of your furniture (It also gives you a chance to add a contrast color if you want a bit more jazz)
- Don’t pin fit a miss shapen cushion, measure and cut rectangles or squares to the dimensions.
Here is a list of the supplies and tools you will need for your slipcovers
- 120” Soft cloth tape measure (if you are covering a chair a 60” is fine)
- Straight pins as mentioned above (300 or more)
- Sharp scissors
- Pencil
- Safety pins to mark skirt placement
- 24” Ruler if adding a skirt
- Lots of bandages. (your own saliva will get out your blood) Yes there will be blood with all those pins LOL
- Download our cuts and calculating yardage form
Are you ready to start planning your slipcovers?
If you need more guidance and help with your slipcover project we have 3 full-length slipcover tutorials in our membership. The slipcover tutorials include measuring, calculating yardage, pinning, zipper placement, and sewing cushions with welt cord.
I watched the slipcover demo. I thought I saw that it said wrong side of fabric out? If that is true and with the way it gets pinned, I can’t wrap my mind around how it will work to flip it inside out. It seems that it flips the whole thing to do that and then it won’t line up. If the right side of fabric is out then are the seams getting flipped before stitching? Sorry to be dense but somehow I just don’t understand the technique.
Hello Glenn, Yes, I do pin fit my slipcovers wrong side out. Once sewn and turned right side out the left arm becomes the right and the right arm becomes the left. It does seem confusing but works out very well. We have 3 full step by step slipcover tutorials in our monthly membership that can help you get started with your slipcover project.
See you on the inside,
Kim
Awesome and well thought out blog post. I clean upholstery at my company and think this is very valuable and useful information!
You do not mention anything about tuck in’s and I also do not see them in your photos. How do you handle these, especially around the arms and deck?
Hi Bonnie, Thank you for taking the time to read my blos. Yes, there are tuck-ins for this piece. Your piece will dictate the tuck-in depth In our tutorials I go over how I create the tuck-ins. We have three full-length videos on slipcovers in our membership that will give you different details and situations for various pieces.
Kim
I love your site and one day want to make a slipper for my couch and get the video. What do you do when your couch already has welting on the arms and cushions, does it not matter? Thank you
Hello, Kim
I very much enjoy your website,
As my only upholstery knowledge was the ship cabin repair, etc. but due to my older
Age I am a newbe which is why I like your site etc.thank you rob .
There is no zipper on this slipcover?
Thanks.
Hello Elise, It was not necessary to add a zipper for this particular slipcover style. In our 3 online class tutorials on slipcovers, I go over why and which styles need a zipper. The Club Chair With Straight arms is one where it was necessary to add a zipper. Thanks for reading my blogs, Kim
Hi Kim, your sofa looks like my 20 year old Ethan Allen “Hepburn “ sofa. Is it?
I love your finished product….. can you do mine ?!
My daughter is hitting me up to do hers. She wants drop cloths. She has A 4 & 2 year old. Yep. Where do you get a foot to do that piping at????I actually just watched this on my tv. Lol. Used my Christmas present. When it popped up I go”woohoo!.”
Hello Debbie,
Sound like fun lol. You can order feet from Wawak online. You’ll want a 1/4″ cording foot.
Happy Sewing.
Kim
Hi Kim,
Thank you for all of this good information! If my couch has piping now should I attempt to remove it so it doesn’t show under the slipcover?
Hi Sandi,
There usually isn’t an issue with leaving the existing cording on your piece. I’ve never found a need to remove the cording before creating a new slipcover. Have fun with your project,
Kim