There are some very good books you can get from your public library and material/craft stores to help you and I would be happy to help, if you mail me at the address below. Make sure to center your pieces over furniture so you have equal seam allowance on sides, edges, etc. From experience I can tell you it is usually pretty embroidery machine price good if you can sew a straight seam.You will "railroad" your slipcover measurements by marking them (and eventually cutting), going length wise on fabric and then side by side across the width of fabric.
Then you will need to figure the inside back, seat, and sides or skirting (remember, if you are doing 2 or more of same, times each piece by the number you are doing). Back-back to front-back, pin. (Any hardware store should carry the tools) Label all pieces; A large square is good to have also.They will be long pieces sewn together on a mitered seam. back back, front back, seat, sides or skirting, etc. Cut your pieces.Today in this world of fast everything, most of us just don't have the time (nor patience) to do an all consuming job of making a slipcover.
There will be some extra material in certain areas (which you will cut away) but it gives you room for making a few mistakes! Remember, the art of slip covers and upholstery is very forgiving!If you are using denim or heavy cotton or anything that does not have to be dry-cleaned for your slipcover, I suggest you preshrink the material. Complete all finishing touches, stand back and take a picture!This is a wonderful way to grow patience, skill and redecorate for less. We go buy them and not always are they what we want. Sew these pieces together. Visualize how the sizes will lay out on the fabric, using drawings here will be very helpful. What a great feeling it was to see the finished piece!So with that said, I have a few techniques for you to use that will make this lost art of slipcover making a bit easier. You will need a yardstick or longer, measuring tool. If you have an exceptionally wide piece you will "railroad" it going length of material instead of across, thus avoiding seams.Start with a simple furniture piece.
There is time involved, but you will have a great sense of accomplishing a lost art! Have fun!There is more to this than what I have here, but you should be able to get a pretty good idea of what to do and how. Make sure to utilize the most from your fabric. Sheets or curtains (even older ones found at Goodwill if you're on a budget) can work for making slipcovers and you may find them on sale to make the cost less. We will tailor fit these pieces to the furniture INSIDE OUT. A good example would be an ottoman, simple dining chair or a toaster! Look at the piece, see where the natural lines are? That is where the seams will be for the slipcover. This gives the slipcover a tiny bit of room to move when finished.Holding your slipcover pieces up to the furniture piece INSIDE OUT, pin the seams together about every 2 inches lengthwise along the seam.
Depending on how much turn up you want for the hem will depend on how much extra you add on side or skirting measurement. A job well done is always good for growing self- confidence and character!I owned a very busy tailor shop and I was use to "custom fitting" my clients and worked the slipcovers the same way.Normally, I will pin fit the whole slipcover together inside out on the furniture piece, then go sew, removing pins along the way.
This is easier for quick marking and cutting instead of attempting to cut the exact shape of each piece.About the Author:Robin Hall has been a successful Tailor by trade in the Midwest with over 30 years in business. Cording can be covered and added into prominent seams of the slipcover if you want to add some detail