How to Cut Tuck-Ins for a Slipcover

Slipcovers are very handy for pet owners; they allow you to easily wash the covers for your chairs and sofas.

Slipcovers, fabric covers that slip over pieces of furniture, are cheaper alternatives to reupholstering your furniture. With slipcovers, you can revitalize old, worn furniture. Tuck-ins are used on slipcovers for armchairs, love seats and sofas when the cushions are not covered separately. The tuck-ins are fabric pouches that lie in the crevices where the arms and the back meet the cushions, holding the slipcover in place. Additionally, they are very practical for cleaning because all the loose change and lint is collected in the tuck-in pocket, not in between your furniture's cushions.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring tape
• Pins
• Wooden dowels (optional)

Instructions

1. Measure the depth of all of the crevices on the piece of furniture you are covering.

2. Add the depth of the crevices to the edges of the slipcover pattern. For example, if the crevice where the arm meets the seat cushion is 6 inches deep, the pieces of fabric that cover the arms will each need to be 6 inches longer than the arms, and the piece of fabric that covers the seat will need to be extended by 12 inches.

3. Cut the fabric according to the slipcover pattern.

4. Pin the edges of the tuck-ins together. You do not need to sew the edges together.

5. Drape the slipcover over your furniture, and tuck the tuck-ins into the crevices.

Tips & Warnings

• To secure your slipcover, you can weigh down the tuck-ins with wooden dowels.

References

• Mark Montano and Carly Sommerstein: "Window Treatments and Slipcovers for Dummies"; 2005
• Alison Wormleighton: "Slipcover Style: Easy-To-Make Covers for Chairs, Sofas, Beds, and Tables"; 2003