How to Slipcover a Chair Cushion
Upholstered furniture gets battered, torn, stained and - worst of all - becomes outdated. Instead of buying new furniture, or having it professionally reupholstered, save money by making a slipcover to go over that chair cushion that you can't stand to look at anymore. Slipcovers are also a great way to add style and detail to an old piece of furniture. As a bonus, when you make your own slipcovers, you can also use the same fabric to make coordinating throw pillows, curtains or table runners.
Things You'll Need
- Measuring tape
- Muslin fabric
- Fabric scissors
- Pins
- Sewing machine
- Slipcover fabric
- Velcro fastener or a zipper
Instructions
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Making The Slipcover
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1
Measure the cushion you are going to slipcover. Take an accurate measurement of the cushion's length, width and height.
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2
Purchase the muslin and slipcover fabric. You will need enough to cover the entire cushion plus a one-inch seam allowance on all sides.
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3
Set aside the slipcover fabric and cut the muslin pieces only. You will be cutting 7 pieces: the top piece, the bottom piece, three side pieces and two back pieces. The top and bottom pieces will be the same size, the length and width of your cushion plus a one-inch seam allowance. Two side pieces will be the length and height of your cushion plus a one-inch seam allowance. One side piece will be the width and height of your cushion plus a one-inch seam allowance. The two back pieces will be the width and half the height of your cushion plus the seam allowance. The two back pieces will be where you attach either Velcro tape or a zipper.
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4
Pin the muslin pieces together so that they form the shape of your cushion.
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5
Sew the muslin pieces together, using wide, basting stitches to make stitch removal easier.
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6
Turn the muslin slipcover right side out, and put it on your cushion. This will tell you if your measurements were correct and let you see if the slipcover fits properly. Cut off any excess fabric, and be sure that the slipcover is snug so that it won't sag when put on the chair.
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7
Remove the stitches from the muslin slipcover, and use the muslin pieces as a template for your slipcover fabric. Keep the muslin template in case you slipcover this same cushion again.
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8
Using the muslin template, cut out the pieces you need from the slipcover fabric.
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9
Pin the pieces (right sides together) to form the cushion shape.
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10
Sew the slipcover using a one inch seam. It is easiest if you sew the side pieces to the bottom piece first, then sew the top piece to them all last.
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11
Sew on the Velcro or zipper to the back two pieces. If you choose to use a zipper, be sure that it is as wide as your cushion.
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12
Put the slipcover on the cushion, and place the cushion back on your chair.
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1
Tips & Warnings
For a faster slipcover, you can skip making the muslin template. However, without the template you run the risk of your slipcover not fitting perfectly, and you won't have a pattern for future slipcovers.
