Making a Slipcover for a Couch

A drab or worn couch can be updated with a simple slipcover.

Slipcovers vary in complexity depending both on the style of your couch and on your own style preference. The simplest slipcover slips over the entire couch, is pulled tight and secured underneath. A more professional look is achieved if piping is added along the seams, loose seat or back cushions are covered individually and the cover is edged with a skirt. Skirts may be straight with a simple box-pleat at each corner, fully pleated or frilled.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• Pins
• Tailor's chalk
• Graphing paper
• Large sheets of plain paper, newsprint, or muslin
• Scissors
• Medium-weight fabric
• Thread
• Piping cord (optional)

Instructions

Making the Pattern

1. Use the existing slip cover as your pattern, if the couch has one. If not, make a pattern using muslin or large sheets of paper (joined with tape as necessary). Hold the paper against each section of the couch, drawing around it carefully.

2. Label each pattern piece and mark the direction of the fabric grain. Add an extra 6 to 8 inches along lthe lower edges of the back, outer sides and front. This will provide flaps that fasten under the couch, ensuring a tight fit.

3. Measure the tops, bottoms and side gussets of any separate seat and back cushions, remembering to add seam allowances. One gusset section per cushion should be made 3 inches deeper, to allow for a flap to tuck in, and carry a fastening.

4. Cut strips 4 to 6 inches deep and as long as each of the four sides of the couch (plus seam allowances) for the skirt. For the corner pleats, cut four inserts 7 inches wide and the same depth as the skirt.

Measuring

1. Measure each section of your couch at its largest points in both width and height. Draw each piece to scale on graph paper, fitting the pieces closely together and correctly aligned, just as if laying out pattern pieces on fabric.

2. Calculate how much fabric is needed, using the scale layout. Remember to allow extra for matching large patterns.

3. Calculate the amount of fabric and cord you will need for piping. Fabric for piping must be cut on the bias (diagonal) and should be 1 ¼ inches wide. Measure the total length of all piped edges--you may need up to 30 yards of cord and bias strips for a medium-sized couch.

Cutting

1. Pin the pattern pieces to the fabric. Ensure that every piece follows the grain in the appropriate direction. Check for pattern match.

2. Align the joins. Ensure that where it is necessary to join the fabric for the largest sections (e.g., couch back) joins are centered, patterns match at joins, and you have allowed for the extra seam allowance.

3. Cut out the fabric pieces.

Assembly

1. Join the fabric as necessary to make the large panels.

2. Prepare the piping. Sew the bias strips closely over the piping cord, joining strips as necessary.

3. 

   Box-shaped couches have a gusset running along the back and down the arms.

   Pin "outer-back" and "inner-back" sections to the couch wrong-side out, pinning the sections together along the top back seam line. If you are covering a box-shaped couch, there may be an extra horizontal gusset strip to insert between the back and front pieces.

4. Smooth the fabric for a good fit, pushing tightly into corners. Ensure that center joins (if present) and fabric grains run straight. If the couch back is curved, achieve a better fit using tucks or darts. Pin these. Add the seat and front sections in the same way, pinning all together along seam-lines. Pin on arm and side pieces to complete the preliminary fitting.

5. Remove the pinned cover carefully. Baste, sandwiching piping (if used) within each seam, keeping the right sides together and raw edges together. Leave the left back seam (between the left outside arm and the left outside back) open. Stitch in same sequence (back, then seat, arms, sides).

Fitting and Finishing

1. Cut a strip 3 inches wide and twice the length of the left-hand opening, plus a 1 ¼ inch hem allowance. Pin and stitch this strip around the unfinished edge of the opening (right side to right side). Turn the strip to the inside of the cover; turn under the hem allowance and slip stitch it to the inside, enveloping the seam. Add ties or other fastenings to this opening.

2. Turn the slipcover to the right side and fit it over couch. Trim and hem the lower corners to fit around legs/casters when the corners are folded under the couch.

3. Hem the four lower edges by turning under ½ inch and then folding under another 1 inch, so that a tube is formed.

4. Cut a single piece of tape the total length of these four tubes plus about 30 inches extra. Using a safety pin, thread the tape through the tubes, starting at the opening edge of the slipcover.

5. Fit the slipcover over the couch; pull the tape until cover fits snugly. Tie the tape to secure it.

Assembling Any Separate Cushion Covers

1. Stitch the side gusset strips together first, forming a square or rectangle that fits around the cushion.

2. Stitch the side gusset to the top and bottom pieces, leaving open the edge that has the extra depth for attaching the fastening.

3. Hem the opening. Add your preferred fastening.

Adding the Skirt (Optional)

1. Stitch skirt strips together in this order: outside back, pleat, outside arm, pleat, front, pleat, outside arm, pleat. Press the seams open and hem the lower edge.

2. Form box pleats for the corners by folding each side to meet centrally over the 7 inch pleat insert. Baste the pleats.

3. Mark the level of the skirt line around the assembled slipcover. Stitch the skirt to the slipcover along the skirt line, keeping the right sides together, matching pleats to corners and leaving the opening edge open.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't choose fabric that is too heavy--seams will have multiple thicknesses, especially if piping is used. Bulky seams won't lie straight and may be too much for your sewing machine to handle.

• Using piping adds strength to seams and helps distract the eye where patterned fabrics match imperfectly.

• For experienced sewers, contrasting piping gives a stylish look. Matching fabric is better for beginners since a contrast will highlight any imperfections.

References

• "Soft Furnishing"; Sarah Campbell and Hilary More; 1985
• "Complete Book of Soft Furnishings"; Jane Churchill, Hilary More, and Helen Barnett; 1998

Resources

• "Custom Slipcovers Made Easy: Weekend Projects to Dress Up Your Décor"; Elizabeth Dubicki; 2008
• "The Complete Photo Guide to Slipcovers"; Linda Neubauer ; 2006
• Vyra: My New Slipcover