How to Make Slipcovers for Recliners

The best way to revive a recliner is with a two-piece slipcover.

Add pizazz to a living room with the fresh new style that slipcovers can provide. Slipcovers are an economical way to change the decor of a room without investing in costly new furniture. Recliners, like any other furniture, can be topped with slipcovers that are washable and easily removable. With a two-piece slip cover, the recliner can be given a whole new look.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring tape
• Ruler
• Scissors
• Pattern paper or butcher paper
• Pencil
• 5/8-inch elastic
• Pre-shrunk decorator fabric
• Thread
• Safety pin
• Sewing machine needles
• Sewing machine

Instructions

Recliner back and seat

1. Trace the dimensions of the recliner, including the footrest, onto pattern paper. Then trace the back, seat and two armrests of the recliner onto pattern paper. The paper patterns, traced with a pencil, also will serve as a guide to determine the amount of decorator fabric to purchase by laying them side by side with approximately two inches in between and measuring the total dimensions.

2. Add a seam allowance by measuring and adding an additional 5/8-inch around the contours of the pattern pieces for the top portion of the recliner (excluding the piece for the footrest). The paper patterns will now be the measurement of each part of the recliner with an additional seam allowance. Save these pattern pieces for future use.

3. Cut out the traced pattern pieces (now modified to include the 5/8th inch seam).

4. Cut out all pattern pieces from the decorator fabric. Place pieces on the lengthwise grain. Line up any patterns where seams will meet.

5. 

   Sew slipcover piece by piece, fitting each part carefully.

   Sew the pieces for the top portion of the recliner only (excluding the piece for the footrest). Place the slip cover over the recliner and make any adjustments to provide a snug fit. Resize to fit, if necessary.

Recliner footrest

1. Add one and 1/4 inches around the contours of the pattern piece for the footrest of the recliner. The paper pattern will now be the measurement of the footrest of the recliner with an additional allowance for the elastic casing.

2. Cut out the footrest pattern piece from the decorator fabric. Check the fit to ensure that the piece covers the footrest and can be gathered around the back area of the footrest to hide elastic.

3. Sew a 3/4-inch casing around the edges of the footrest, being sure to leave a one-inch opening to insert elastic.

4. Insert elastic into casing. Using a safety pin attached to a piece of elastic, pull elastic through until both pieces meet.

5. Sew the two elastic ends together. Sew the opening closed.

References

• EHow.com: How to Sew Slipcovers
• EHow.com: How to Sew a Slipcover