Slipcovers are an inexpensive way to perk up old chairs and sofas. Slipcovers are easy to make with a little experience. I recommend that you begin by making simple covers for dining room chairs or simple cushion covers for armchairs, before you tackle something more complicated.

Although they are not that complicated, a nice looking slipcover for a sofa or armchair requires more experience than a cushion cover. As you can imagine, dealing with the arms and the back of a couch or armchair can be tricky.

Slipcover basics:

• Accurate measurements are a must; more on easy ways to be accurate in my next post.
• Choose lighter weight fabrics than you would for upholstery. Medium-weight cotton, linen, denim, light-weight canvas, and drapery fabrics are great. Some lighter weight upholstery fabrics will work. Remember that florals, plaids, and stripes require more fabric because you must match the patterns.
• Pre-wash or pre-shrink (steam press) your fabric before you cut it out. You do not want to go to all the trouble of making slipcovers which look great, only have them shrink and become unusable the first time that they are washed.