How to Make Slipcovers for a Divan

A slipcover creates a new look for your divan.

Divans, like other furniture types, can often grow worn and dirty with age and need to be periodically reupholstered or slipcovered. Traditionally, the divan is a low couch with no back or arms, although there are some styles today that include a short back designed to hold pillows. This type of furniture originated in the Ottoman Empire, but did not become popular in the West until the 18th century, when they became a staple item in the boudoir. Create a fresh look for your divan without needing to completely reupholster; instead, make a custom divan slipcover.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring tape
• Large paper roll
• Scissors
• Pins
• Muslin fabric
• Fabric pencil
• Needle
• Basting thread
• Upholstery fabric
• Thread
• Sewing machine
• Iron
• Ironing board

Instructions

Make a Paper Pattern

1. Sketch out each separate fabric piece of the divan on a sheet of paper. Note where the seams in the upholstery are, and transfer them to your drawings so that you have a general idea of each shape.

2. Take the full height and width measurements of each shape and add them to your drawings. Be generous with the measurements so that you do not come up short anywhere.

3. Draw out in-scale pattern pieces for each shape, copying your drawings. If necessary, pin the paper to the divan sections and trace the general shape.

4. Pin the paper pieces to their corresponding divan sections, lining up the edges of the paper with the seam lines. Trim the paper where needed, or add extra if you come up short.

5. Unpin the paper pieces from the divan. Fold any symmetrical pieces in half to make sure that they are truly symmetrical. Make adjustments as necessary.

Make a Muslin Pattern

1. Lay the paper pieces onto muslin fabric. Trace the paper pieces with a fabric pencil, adding 2-inch seam allowances on all pieces. Cut the muslin pieces and label them so that you know exactly the part of the divan to which they are assigned.

2. Pin the muslin pieces to the divan, as you did the paper pieces. Pin the edges together to create seams, and line them up with the original seams.

3. Smooth out all wrinkles and push the extra fabric into the seam allowances. Clip any puckered areas to allow the fabric to spread.

4. Hand-baste the seams in place and remove all pins. Turn the fabric inside out and test it on the divan to see how it fits. Make any necessary adjustments.

5. Take the muslin test fabric off the chair. Trim all seam allowances to 1 inch.

Sew the Divan Slipcover

1. Trace the basting lines and any darts with the fabric pencil. Take out the basting stitches.

2. Use the muslin pieces as pattern pieces. Pin them to your chosen upholstery fabric and cut the new pieces for the divan.

3. Sew any darts, then press them. Sew the divan pieces together along the marked seam lines, following what you did while basting. Press the seams.

4. Lay the slipcover over the divan to test the fit. Make any necessary adjustments.

5. Fold the hem under and pin it in place. Remove the slipcover and sew the hem. Place the slipcover back on the divan for a final fit check.

Tips & Warnings

• If your divan has any curves, clip the edges of the pattern paper, then overlap the clipped sections to create darts. In the finished fabric, darts will mimic curves.

References

• "Window Treatments and Slipcovers for Dummies"; Mark Montana and Carly Sommerstein; 2005

Resources

• Sew a Throw Pillow Cover