How to Make Linen Slipcovers

Multiple fabrics can be used to create a chic appearance.

Making your own linen slipcover is an inexpensive alternative to buying or reupholstering your furniture.

Slipcovers can bring a fresh new look to any room and when made at home, they can be matched with new curtains.

Things You'll Need

• Cheap Muslin
• High Quality Linen
• Sewing machine
• Thread
• Pins
• Marker

Instructions

1. 

   Start by cleaning the upholstery that you will be covering with your slipcover. Patch rips and tears, and fix any springs or stuffing that have gone awry.

2. Before you make your linen slipcover, it is always a good idea to create a practice slipcover out of muslin. After you do that you will have a pattern to work with.

3. 

   Measure your chair and add 3" to each measurement for seams. Try to draw your measurements on your muslin and keep the sections closely fit together, as if you were cutting out cookies. That will save you a lot of fabric.

4. Cut the muslin and then pin it together in sections. Instead of sewing a zipper, try sewing little strips of fabric that can be tied into a bow. It will look very chic and is much easier.

5. As you sew, make sure you repeatedly fit the muslin to the furniture, making sure it is fitting correctly. You may have to redo some seams, but remember that this is just the practice/pattern slipcover.

6. 

   Flounces may be added to the bottom of your linen slipcover. The average length is 7"-8" but can be adjusted to suit your taste. There are many different types of flounces. There is the straight flounce, inverted pleats, box pleats, gathered flounce, and the circular flounce.

7. Now that your muslin pattern is finished, it is time to make your linen slipcover. Mark all of your seams with a marker to mark where the seams need to be and then rip out your seams. Lay on top of your linen, and cut with a 1/4" seam allowance.

8. 

   Sew your linen slipcover together, iron it, and then tie it onto your lucky old furniture. Your friends will be quite impressed!

Tips & Warnings

• If your fabric has a definite design, make sure that the pattern in evenly spaced on the flounce and that no pattern is crooked on the rest of the slipcover.

• Making a slipcover has a bit of trial and error in the process, but with patience you will make a beautiful linen slipcover that will last for years.