The easy way to make a slip cover

My recliner was beginning to look worn.  I tried cleaning but the stains were imbedded into the the fabric and could not be removed.  I shopped around for a new chair but they were all smaller than the one I had and could not find a chair to replace my comfy recliner, so I went shopping for fabric to make a sliprecover.

The project was fun and I hope you get inspired to do a similar project.

You will need:

Fabric, scissors,  Velcro, (the industrial Velcro is better because it’s more secure) thread, pins.

You will need to purchase ample fabric since you will be manipulating  the fabric the shape of the chair while pinning and cutting as you go.

Pin the fabric on the wrong side to the shape of the chair.

If the seat cushion is separate, make the cushion separate, however if the chair is like my chair with the cushion built in, the pin as seen in diagram.

Pin the back piece stretching as you pin.   Cut the fabric after pinning to the shape of the chair.  Leave one side of the back open to allow the slipcover to fit over the chair when finished.  Secure with velcor to close.

Pinning the shape of the hand rests can be tricky, follow the shape and make small pleats following the shape of the hand rests.  If in doubt follow the pattern of the original chair.

When the slip cover is pinned, use a marker to outline the pins, in that way if some pins come loose or fall out the slip cover will be marked.  With the pins secured removed the pinned slip cover and sew on the machine, taking out the pins as you sew.

After sewing pull the slip cover over the chair, you can use the Velcro tape underneath the edge of the seats and at the corners that the material will not shift when sitting on the chair.

The finished slipcover – So much nicer that the tired looking recliner.