Let me preface my weak tutorial by saying that I'm not a seamstress and I've never done this type of a slip cover before. So I am going to show you what I did. I'm a visual learner and have to figure some things out by trial and error.
If you want to use drop cloth fabric {that you can find at Lowe's, Home Depot, or any other home improvement store} always wash it first. Out of the package it is stiff but once its washed it becomes soft and more pliable/workable.
Here's how I started:
Basically what we want to accomplish is an inside out slip cover that we will pin completely in place before we pull it off and sew it up.
- I first took my fabric and wrapped it around the back of my chair, inside out! Using straight pins pin it around the top and sides. {This is the largest section of the chair to cover which is why I started here first.}
- Next I cut out the inside back of the chair and pinned it to the outside back piece.
- My third piece was the outline of the seat of my chair.
Once this piece is cut pin it to the back piece.
- The fourth and final piece is the front piece. It goes across the front of the chair and up the arms. This was the trickiest part for me. {and it may or may not have involved some seam ripping and re-sewing~a few times}
Once it is all pinned you gently pull it off your chair and sew it together. I just used a basic sewing machine, regular white thread and had my stitch size setting at 1 {keeping it small will make it more durable}.
To make it a little more clear, with my fancy computer imaging I will show you the pieces I cut. This also includes what I needed for the cushion.
- The cushion was a bit easier. This involved a top and a bottom piece then my side piece. They sewed together like a box kind of......I will admit that I left it open on the bottom back seam and didn't finish it. You could add a velcro enclosure if you want. I didn't have any on hand yet.
This was pinned together the same way as the chair cover.
Its not fancy but its a slip cover. {They aren't supposed to be fancy, right?} I love that it blends well with the couch and I can pull it off and wash it any time! Yippee for that!
If you are wondering what kind of time this takes, for me it was about a 3 hour project not including the washing of the fabric. Not too bad!
Thanks for stopping by!

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Wow! Looks great! Pinned!
ReplyDeleteI love this! Good for you. I've always wondered if a dropcloth would come out of the dryer as a wrinkled heap. Does it lose its wrinkles when it's in the dryer? And was your canvas dropcloth 100% cotton? I'm really thinking of doing this with my couch! Loved this tutorial. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteGreat job and great tutorial. Love it. Hugs, Marty
ReplyDeleteYou did a wonderful job and your chair looks amazing!
ReplyDeleteWOW! It took only 3 hours to make it. It is really nice and thanks a lot for your tutorial.
ReplyDeleteYou are brave! Nice work! Found you over at Diary of a Housewife! I'd love for you to come link this up at my Tuesday Time Out!
ReplyDeleteTuesday Time Out @ Reasons To Skip The Housework
Amazing! XO, Aimee
ReplyDeleteLooks outstanding!! I need to be brave like you and try this myself.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Linda
Great tutorial! My only addition is that ironing is a non-sewers best friend! Once you iron seams, either split or together, it makes everything look finished.
ReplyDeleteGreat tutorial. I will be featuring it tonight at my Swing into Spring party that opens at 8pm EST. Please stop by and pick up an I've Been Featured button. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteGood tutorial! I did some slip covers the other day for my sofa set. Took a while, especially since I decided not to use the small machine that I have- don't ask.
ReplyDeleteI loved working with that fabric. It's a beige background with light cream swirls. On top of those swirls and the background, there are solid black leaves printed. It's beautiful. I did it in a similar manner to you, except that I didn't use any chalk. Over time I've found ways to get around that because chalk has to be rinsed out and I can't bother with that sometimes.