Slip-Coverin' Away

My friend Michelle asked me to write about making slipcovers and my initial reaction was "Run! Save yourself! Don't do it!!" Because I'll tell you, my one experience making slipcovers was miserable. I was homicidal by the time I was finished, and I wanted to remind her "If you undertake this project, make sure you have some bail money set aside." But the more I thought about it, I thought that the best thing that I could do is to tell you what my experience was so that you could decide for yourself whether or not to take a project like this on. I don't even have photos to show you, because I gave away that hideous couch with those shameful slipcovers in 2003, so you will just have to take my word for it that it was a BAD IDEA and not in the least bit cost-effective.

First thing, you will need to select a fabric. If you are covering a couch, it may take as much as 15 yards. If you are covering a couch and a loveseat, you may be talking about 20-25 yards if you select a design with a ruffle, pleats, piping or other details.

When you select your fabric, you will want to select something that is sturdy, heavier-weight than your standard cotton. You will also want something that is washable, because really, what is the point of slipcovers if they aren't washable?

Now think about it....25 yards of fabric....if you get it in sale, maybe you can get the fabric for $5.00 a yard. That is still $125.00 just for the fabric. You will also need zippers, velcro, a heavy-duty needle for your machine (or two or three) and lots of thread. In fact, when I made mine, I made it twice. I bought some cheap poly fabric for 99 cents a yard and actually made the slipcovers from that, so that I would be able to adjust the pattern. For the final version, I used a khaki-colored cotton trigger, a fabric that is relatively inexpensive, but is heavy broadcloth.

You will also need to buy a pattern or get some other kind of instructions. Most major pattern companies sell home decor patterns, and I strongly recommend getting one. Keep in mind, however, that they won't be "patterns" so much as they will be detailed instructions. You can't really get a "pattern" since furniture is so variable. Some couches have two cushions instead of three. Some are pillow-back, some backs are upholstered and attached. Some have rolled arms. Some do not. You get the picture.



I also bought large sheets of newsprint to use to draw outlines of the cushions. You also will need to measure, measure, measure and measure again. I cannot stress this enough. I thought I had all my measurements right and STILL ended up with a wonky back on the couch. I nearly gave myself a hernia wrestling the couch into a slipcover that was just this much too short across the back.

But, if you are feeling brave, there are a couple of things I can tell you...

I replaced all the zippers in my slipcovers with velcro. And thank gawd I did, because otherwise that fabric would not have had enough give in it to meet across the back of the couch.

If you are a beginner, this is going to be hard to the point of making you insane. You will have to learn piping, you will have to ease corners, you will have to make box pleats. You will have to gather ruffles. You will have to draft your own pattern pieces. This is NOT, I repeat NOT a project for beginners.

By the time I was done, It took nearly $200.00 in fabric and materials to make slipcovers that looked almost exactly like this:


$200.00 in materials for slipcovers that I could buy today at JC Penney for $74.99 for the couch and $64.99 for the loveseat. Now, I was a liberal arts major, but I am pretty sure that $200.00 - ($74.99 + $64.99) = $60.02

Yep.

$60.02.

That is how much MORE it cost me to make slipcovers as opposed to buying them.

My advice to you? Buy the slipcovers. Make some throw pillows. Your sanity and your checkbook with thank you.