How to make slip covers

Slip covers can be easy to make if you know what your doing. My goal for this blog is for you to know exactly how to make a slip cover for any type of furniture options that are out there. Slip covers were originally made for during the hot season's of the year to project the original fabric and the furniture from sweat. They started out with either clear vynil or plastic covers. Now they have evolved to a style of furniture great for beach or lake houses even for when you have kids. When should you slip cover and when should you not slip cover? That has now become a personal opion on wheather you enjoy the look of slip covers or not. Today it has now become more of a style and look instead of funtion. If you are looking for funtionality, I would suggest to slip cover a chair near the back door for after walks and workouts for the sweaty ones. Or if you have kids and your looking for something that will be easy to clean? I would suggest to slipcover your furniture as well. As you continue to read I will take you step by step on how to make any slip cover if you follow these basics.

The best way to start if you do not already have a pattern is to measure out your furniture in the way you want the slip cover to sit on the furniture. This is the hardest part if you do not have the right tools. Once you have all the measurments for the funiture it is time to draw it out and cut. This part does require some thinking skills and knowing how it's going to sew together. Always remember to cut an 1" to 2" larger on either side due to the sewing hem and for the bottom skirt cut 4" longer for the skirt hem.

#hint - I label all my cuts so I know which goes where.

Once all items are cut, the best way to start sewing is to group the peices together. (For example: Inside arm and outside arm, Front arms and skirt with decking, inside back and outside back)

The next step is to then connect everything together but leave one of the back cornners not connected. That will be for either a zipper or velcro what ever your preference is.

The open corner makes it easier for you to slip on the material.

Once you have it all connected the next step is to hem your skirts on all 4 sides. Make sure when you cut you leave 4" for the skirt hem.

The last sewing step is to sew either velco or a zipper on the back corners about 10-15" above the 4" hemmed skirt.

Once that is done your slip cover fame is completed and ready to be slipped on. The best way to put on a slip cover with Rolled arms like this one has, put one side on fully first then slip on the other side. It might be tight at first but will fit perfectly.

Once the frame is completed the next Item is to sew the back cushions and seat cushions. These you will take off the existing covers and replace them completely. Once that is done then you have completed the chair!

Bonus:

For an ottoman it is much easier. Just cut all 5 sides to size as needed, including the 4" skirt hem. Then Sew all 4 sides to the top.

Next sew all the sides together and then hem up the skirt. Once completed just slip over ottoman and you are completed!

Making slipcovers is not hard if you know the right steps to take.