How to Sew a Slipcover for a Bench Cushion

Redecorating your bench seat will make you feel like you have a brand new piece of furniture. These are some of the easiest projects to sew and will only take about an hour to complete. The best part of having slip covers for your bench seats is you can take them off and launder them as needed. There are two types of cushions on bench seats, attached and the removable type. Either slip cover can be made with ease by following these simple instructions.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring tape Brown paper Pencil Scissors Fabric Pins Sewing machine Thread Needle Self-stick Velcro Thin elastic Safety pins

Instructions

Slip Covers for Removable Cushions

1. Measure your cushion's length and width and add 2 inches for seams. Transfer those measurements onto brown wrapping paper and cut out a pattern.

2. Fold the fabric in half, right sides together. Pin the pattern on the fabric so that the shorter measurement is on the fold. Cut the fabric around the pattern.

3. Take the pattern off the fabric and adjust the fold so that one end is 2 inches longer than the other. Pin the long sides together and fold the ends over 1/4 inch and pin down.

4. Sew from the fold all the way up each side making sure to catch the fold over of the ends. Turn the cover right side out.

5. Stick each side of the Velcro to the open ends so when you press them together it closes up the slip cover. You may want to tack it down by hand in a few places so it doesn't come off in the wash. Place your cushion inside and place the Velcro end towards the bottom. You can repeat the same process if you have a cushion on the back on your bench.

Making a Slip Cover for an Attached Cushion

1. Measure the cushion's length and width including the front, back and sides. Add 1 inch to the length and 1 inch to the width. Mark the measurements on a single piece of fabric and cut it out.

2. Sew a 1/2-inch hem all the way around the fabric, leaving the last inch open. Measure the distance around the cushion and cut a piece of thin elastic to that measurement.

3. Attach a safety pin to one end of some thin elastic and attach it to the opening. Attach another safety pin to the other end of the elastic and insert into the opening. Work the elastic around until you get it back out of the opening. Take the safety pins off the elastic and tack the two ends together. Tack down the opening.

4. Place the slip cover over your existing cushion and pleat the corners to give it a nice fit. The corners do not need to be sewn, just fold them over. This will prevent the slip cover from slipping off when someone sits on it.