How to Sew a Recliner Cover
Recliners are often the most-used piece of seating furniture in a home. The upholstery fabric becomes worn sooner than in other chairs because of the heavy use and how it is used. The user slides in and out of a recliner, which wears the seat. Also, the front of the arms are used to pull up out of the recliner. A slip cover can be an economical answer to making the worn recliner look presentable again.
Things You'll Need
- Cotton fabric or flat sheet
- Fringe trim
- Measuring tape
- Fabric pencil
- Scissors
- Sewing machine
- Thread
Instructions
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1
Sew cotton fabric together to form a large piece of fabric approximately 60 inches by 80 inches, or you may use a full-size sheet. Piece the fabric with a larger piece in the middle and smaller strips on the side to avoid a center seam in the middle of the recliner seat and back.
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2
Drape the fabric over the recliner. Press the fabric into the seat as if you were going to sit down.
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3
Inspect the placement of the fabric at the bottom of the recliner. Ensure the edges are an even distance from the floor. If not, readjust the fabric until the edges are even.
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4
Press the fabric into the crease between the seat back and the seat. Press the fabric into the crease between the arm and the seat. Repeat for other side.
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5
Inspect how the fabric is laying. Be sure it is straight and free from wrinkles.
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6
Insert the fabric pencil into the crease. Stop just below the surface of the seat. Draw a line on each side of the crease. Repeat for all three creases. You will now have three sets of lines.
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7
Remove the fabric from the seat. Machine-sew each line set together using a straight stitch.
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8
Place the cover back on the recliner. Measure your fringe trim. Cut the lower edges of the fabric to the desired length, plus cut extra length equal to the length of your trim.
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9
Remove the cover from the recliner and stitch a 1/4-inch hem to the fabric all the way around.
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10
Pin your trim to the edge of the fabric. Place the wrong side of the trim to the right side of the fabric. Machine top-stitch the trim in place.
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Tips & Warnings
You may use a different fabric, but cotton will wash in the standard household washing machine and tumble dry to remove wrinkles.
Choose a fabric print that is small and random. Avoid one-way prints.
