How to Make a Slipcover for a Cushion

Follow these instructions to make a slipcover for a furniture cushion. The procedure is almost identical to that for making the rest of the slipcover.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Dressmaker's Measuring Tapes
• Muslin
• Cording
• Dressmaker Pins
• Dressmaker Shears
• Fabric-marking Pens
• Home Decorator Fabrics
• Sewing Machine
• Sewing Machine Needles
• Threads
• Paper And Pencils
• Rulers

1. Measure the cushion to determine the yardage needed to cover it. Measure the length from top to bottom (or back to front) and multiply this number by 2. Add this to the cushion's width measurement multiplied by 4. Divide the total inches by 36 to arrive at the estimated yardage needed.

2. Make a pattern for the slipcover from muslin. Measure the length and width of each section of the cover - top, bottom and sides. Add a 1-inch seam allowance to all of the measurements. Use the existing seams as a guide.

3. Cut muslin pieces that correspond to each measurement.

4. Pin the cut muslin pieces to each corresponding section of the cushion. Pin the top first, then the bottom and sides. Pin each fabric section at the center and then smooth the fabric out toward the edges. Pin the edges into place.

5. Cut one side section (preferably in the back) into two lengthwise pieces. Remember to add in the seam allowance at all raw edges. This extra seam is where the zipper will be placed.

6. Trim the pieces, if necessary, so that each piece follows the outline of the section and includes a 1-inch seam allowance.

7. Use a sewing machine to baste the slipcover sections together. Leave the zipper seam unsewn.

8. Make sure that the fit is correct. The seams should not be puckered or stretched. Make any necessary adjustments. Remove the stitches from the muslin mock-up and use these pieces as a pattern.

9. Measure for the cording that will be placed, if desired, along the seams that border the cushion's top and bottom. See "Apply Cording to Slipcovers," under Related eHows for instructions on measuring for, making and applying the cording.

10. Lay each piece of muslin onto the wrong side of your slipcover fabric and pin the pieces into place. Position the pieces so that any motifs or stripes are placed as desired and will match up with the other sections of the slipcover.

11. Cut, pin and sew the slipcover pieces together.

12. See "Put In a Zipper," under Related eHows, for instructions on applying an upholstery zipper to the cushion.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember to figure the required yardage into the number of total yards needed for the entire slipcover. Figure this number into the yardage needed for the muslin mock-up as well.
• Add approximately 1/2 yard of fabric for the cording.
• See "Fit Slipcovers for Furniture," under Related eHows for more information on fitting the muslin mock-up.
• Figure in extra yardage ' 1/2 to 1 yard ' if your chosen fabric has a design that needs to be centered or stripes that need to be matched up.
• Add a 1-inch seam allowance to all of the measurements.
• Place the zipper lengthwise along the back of the cushion if desired. Remember to cut the back section into two pieces. If you choose this option you will not be able to display the top of the cushion.
• Use a fabric marking pen to make any drawings or notations onto the pattern piece. Do this while the muslin is still pinned to the cushion. Label each piece, and draw a line along the length of each piece to show the lengthwise grain line.
• Baste the slipcover fabric pieces together and fit the cover to the cushion before the final stitching.