How to Make Lounge Suite Slipcovers

Whether you are trying to spare your new furniture wear and tear or trying to make old furniture look new, slipcovers can really come in handy.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Sheets
• Straight pins
• Sewing machine, plus matching thread
• Slipcover material
• Washing machine

1. A lounge suite is nothing more than a sofa and matching chairs, and making slipcovers for them is no different than for other furniture.

2. First, you need to decide on what you should cover the furniture with. If you want something just to keep the furniture from wear and tear and it is easy to throw in the washer, choosing bed sheets is the way to go. They range from cheap to pricey and come in various breathable materials that are meant to be washed.

3. If you are aiming for something that you can't find in a sheet, then use the following steps to determine how much material you need and how to adjust it.

4. On the largest piece of furniture (usually the sofa), place a sheet. If it hangs down close to the floor on either arm, it's big enough. If the sheet doesn't cover the sofa, you'll need 2, or possibly 3. Whatever it takes, cover the sofa with a series of sheets.

5. If a sofa takes more than 1 sheet, you will need to lay the sheets on the floor and pin them together in such a way that both ends are symmetrical. To hide a seam, the best way to join sheets is to make a diagonal line and seam them that way.

6. After hemming the sheets together (if needed) place it over the sofa (or chair) so that it is perfectly centered and falls evenly over the back, sides and front. Once you've done this, very lightly smooth the sheets so that they conform to the surface of the sofa or chair. Make sure you don't apply too much pressure to any one area so that the cover comes out symmetrical.

7. Now, taking your straight pins, join the sheet together where it is folded over and not needed to cover the furniture. You can use this method if your furniture is symmetrical. If one end differs from the other, you will need to fold the material into the chair or sofa and pin from the other side.

8. Once you have pinned all the nooks and crannies into your sheet, remove it and get the sewing machine. Use a sizzor to remove excess material and reposition your pins so that you can sew over them.

9. Using a semi-long straight stitch, sew the material together where you had it pinned. In areas that will see a lot of stretch from people sitting down, double stitch, but only do this after you have tried the slipcovers on the furniture and are sure they fit.

10. Once done, place your slip covers over the furniture. If you want to use another material to cover them, use the sheet cover as a template to know how much to buy and where to cut. If you made mistakes, you can easily correct them the second time around.

11. 

    For pillow cases, measure out material so that it covers the pillow with enough extra to come to the midway point on the side. Place a similarly sized piece of material beneath the pillow and then pin them together on all but one side. On that side you will need a zipper (another How to...)or to be able to leave pins or snaps in place. Snaps are easier. Sew the three sides together and finish the 4th as you please. Now, put the covers on and enjoy.

Tips & Warnings

• Anyplace that people sit down will need double stitching. It's just a lot of wear and tear for a simple stitch.
• Before you start to make your slip covers, you may want to wash the material. Washing may cause shrinkage, and if you don't factor this in by washing the material first, you may never get the covers on again after a machine washing. You'll be forced to dry clean, and who needs that.