How to Make Separate Cushion Covers for Slipcovers

A slipcovered sofa with individually covered cushions.

Slipcovers look more professional and expensive when the cushions are individually covered. Making cushion covers is fairly simple and can be done in a few hours. Once the first cover is made, the remaining cushions will go faster because you will know how the process works. Save your cushion pattern so that you can easily make replacement covers if you want to change the look of your sofa again.

Things You'll Need

• Seam ripper
• Iron and board
• Fabric
• Pins
• Scissors
• Sewing machine
• Needle and thread

Instructions

1. Unzip and remove the cushion cover if the cover has a zipper. Open the seams using a seam ripper. Be careful not to tear the fabric as you will be using the existing cover as a pattern.

2. Iron the existing cover so the seams are flat. Place the cover over paper and trace the cover onto the paper. Label the paper pieces.

3. Wash and iron the fabric you want to make into a slipcover. Washing removes fabric sizing and shrinks the fabric so it won't shrink later.

4. Pin the paper pattern to the fabric and cut out the cover pieces. If the cover has a zipper, use the old zipper or a zipper the same size for the new cover. Sew the zipper into the back side cover first by following the design of the old cover.

5. Sew the four side panels together so they form a large ring. Pin the top cover to the side cover face sides together so the seams line up with the top cover's corners. The zippered back panel should be to the back of the cushion. Sew the covers together using a 1/2-inch seam allowance. Repeat for the bottom cover if there is a zippered back. If there is no zipper, leave the back side seam of the bottom cover open. Clip the corners and turn the cover right side out.

6. Fold the cushion in two and insert the cushion into the cover. Reach your arm into the front of the cushion and pull the corners of the foam into the corners of the cover on all corners. Zipper the cover closed. If you do not have a zipper, turn the back seam under 1/2 inch and hand sew the seam with needle and thread.

Tips & Warnings

• Cover cording and sew cording between the top cover and sides and bottom cover and sides for a nice dressmaker detail.

References

• Upholster: How to Sew/Reupholster a Cushion