Instructions on How to Make a Slipcover

Give new life to your sofa or chairs by sewing new slipcovers.

Sew your own slipcovers for an inexpensive way to spruce up furniture. Cover unattractive, outdated or worn sofas and chairs with new fabric rather than spending a lot of money on new pieces. Change slipcovers whenever you want; they are easy to remove, and you can make them out of machine washable fabrics. You only need basic sewing skills, but making slipcovers can be time consuming so allow ample time to complete your projects.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring tape
• Pins
• Fabric
• Thread
• Sewing machine
• Iron

Instructions

1. Measure the height of the piece of furniture you plan to cover and double that measurement. Measure the width next, multiplying that number by four. Add the height and the width together, dividing the total by 36 to calculate the number of yards of fabric you will need for your project.

2. Start at the base of the sofa or chair, draping the fabric over the back and to the floor. Add three more inches to the fabric beyond where it meets the floor for the hem. Tuck the fabric into the crease of the sofa or chair. Fold the fabric into a crease where you started the draping (at the spot where the back meets the seat of the sofa or chair). Pin along the crease, remove the fabric from the piece of furniture and sew the seam along that crease.

3. Drape the fabric over the piece of furniture again. Crease the fabric where the arms meet the seat, pin along those creases and sew seams in those places.

4. Drape the fabric over the piece of furniture again, smoothing it over the arms. Fold the fabric into creases along the edges of the arms, pin along the creases and sew seams.

5. Drape the fabric back over the sofa or chair, testing to see that it fits properly. Make the necessary adjustments, pin and sew where necessary.

6. Hem all around the bottom of the slipcover. To hem, fold 1/2 inch around the edges, pressing the seam with an iron. Sew 1/4 inch away from the fold all along the edges of the slipcover. Press the slipcover with the iron before putting it onthe piece of furniture.

Tips & Warnings

• Sew the seams on the fabric's wrong side (the side that will not be visible when placed on the furniture).

References

• Repair Home: How to DIY: Making Furniture Slipcovers
• "Cottage Home Decorating"; Start Making Slipcovers; 2007-2010
• "Innovative Sewing"; How to Make a Sofa Slipcover; Ellisha; September 2009
• "Decorating Country Home"; Slipcovers -- Sew Your Own; 2004-2010

Resources

• Save-On-Crafts: How to Make a Slip Cover for a Chair
• "V.I.P. by Cranston"; Slipcovers; 2004
• Sewing: Your Guide to Successful Sewing