How to Make Your Own Slipcover

If you have a set of furniture that has seen its day, but you just can't bear to part with it because it has sentimental value, custom slipcovers may be the answer. Making your own slipcovers does not have to be expensive. In fact, all you need are a few flat sheets and some minor sewing skills to make furniture slipcovers that will complement your home but not drain your bank account.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Measuring tape
• Pen and paper
• Flat sheets
• Straight pins
• Sewing supplies
• Sewing machine

1. Measure the length and width of your sofa, love seat, or chair. Jot the figures down onto a piece of paper and make your way to your local retail chain or anywhere that sheet sets are sold.

2. Take note of the different sizes (lengths and widths) that flat sheets are manufactured in. King-sized sheets are sold in 108-by-102-inch sizes and two king's size sheets are usually adequate to make a standard sofa slipcover.

3. Purchase the amount of flat sheets that will be needed to cover the length and width of your piece of furniture; and then some. The sheets will be sewn together to meet the measured requirements, but you will need to keep in mind that you will need enough extra to make oversized slipcovers that will have extra material left for overhang and tucking.

4. Secure the sheets, right sides together, with straight pins and then stitch them together. Sewing the furniture slipcovers together by hand is fine if you are confident in your skills as a seamstress; if not, a sewing machine will do the trick.

5. Lay your new, custom slipcover over the top of your furniture piece and neatly tuck the slipcover into the separation between the back cushion area and the sides. Enough should be tucked in that the slipcover will be secure, while still allowing enough to hang over the sides and drape at the bottom where the furniture meets the floor.

Tips & Warnings

• If you will be sewing slipcovers for more than one piece of furniture in a room, be sure to purchase all of the sheets at the same time. Completing the slipcovers for a few of the pieces and then not being able to find the same color or pattern for the final one can really be an upset.
• Never underestimate the amount of flat sheets that will be needed for a slipcover project. It is better to have more fabric to work with than not enough. Any excess can always be tucked in. On the other hand, not enough to cover the furniture properly may be highly noticeable.

Resources

• Purchase Sheets Online

[Upon-Request]

on 1/3/2009 Good tips! I'll be trying this one soon.