Should I or shouldn't I?

if you do a mock up in muslin, then you will be creating a pattern for the real fabric and all should go well. And slip covers can be snugged up with ties because everyone knows they are just seasonal covers.

I've done slipcovers and simple upholstery. It's pretty straightforward as long as you make sure you have enough yardage for matching or for piping, ties, extra arm covers, etc. The advantage is that you can so easily and inexpensively brighten a room, update something that's looking a bit tacky, or cover something that is just worn. The downside, IMO, is that it's boring after awhile so I usually break up my projects with sewing that's more interesting to me. Writing down project measurements and details in a notebook (that won't get lost like a loose piece of paper) is extremely helpful when your decorating project is interrupted by something else.

Singer has a really good book on making slipcovers, pillows, cushion covers, etc. I was in Hancocks the other day and they had numerous, reasonably priced books (some on sale at half price) that deal with just this kind of thing. Good luck!

Phae

Threads had an article a while back about how to drape fabric over a sofa, and the results really looked nice. They used to have it on their web page, but I think I have seen of late that they are charging for everything, but if you can find the article online and then look at that copy in the library, you would get the drift.

DD has draped various items on her sofa, I have seen at least 3 different ones, and they all looked good. She often picks up a "bed set" or a comforter at a yard sale to use. (she has pets so needs to be able to change the cover often).

Jean

I have seen slipcovers that looked pretty awful. The problem was, they slipped. That is, they fit over the furniture fairly well originally, but when someone sat on the couch or whatever it pulled the cover down the back, off the arms, and generally made a mess of it. Is there a way to avoid that?

I took a two day class in England on making slip covers a few years ago. It really does help to be shown how. It's not difficult but there are many steps. I've made many slipcovers since that class and I've picked up lots of tips along the way. I started off measuring as I was taught in England. Then I met a norwegian who was taught slipcovers in France and Denmark. Her method is easier and faster. Get some very soft brown paper. Lots of it. Get a very soft pencil, like BB. Make a pattern of each section and label (ie. inside back, outside back, inside arm, outside arm , front piece,). Make a pattern by pinning the brown paper to the sections of the sofa and then with the pencil rub along the outlines (just like in school when the teacher asked you to lay paper over a penny and then rub so that you could see the design appear like magic). Sew the pieces together using a 1cm seam. Place velcro or a zipper one one outside back seam. You can add a skirt around the bottom. .Once the paper pieces are cut out it's easy to lay them right down on the fabric for cutting out. With this method curves are easy - make a dart and cut and tape the paper. Allow 9 meters for a 2/3 seat sofa. Cushions are extra. Allow 1 meter for a box cushion. Piping is about l meter I think, maybe more. Cut on the bias for the best piping. But I have railroaded when fabric is in short supply. Give youself plenty of time and you will be fine. Spend time looking at the sofa, its shape etc. and visualize how you will put the pieces together. Often the peices can be put together in a number of different ways. There is no right way - if you're happy with the finished look - that's the test.

"Jean D Mahavier" skrev i melding news:Xp54g.19156$ snipped-for-privacy@bignews3.bellsouth.net...

Yes, you can wedge long rectangular pieces of foam rubber down in the crevices. This keeps most of the errant slippage at bay.

You can find plastic pieces meant for this at home stores like Bed Bath & Beyond, but it is much less expensive to just purchase a pillow form, and then cut it up to make the wedge pieces.

Karen Maslowski in Cincinnati

David Harm> I have seen slipcovers that looked pretty awful. The problem was,

Oops, I didn't mean sew the brown patter pieces together of course. Lay them on the fabric and then cut out and sew with a 1 cm seam allowance. "kristinelund" skrev i melding news: snipped-for-privacy@telenor.com...

It's always interesting to see how other people do things. I'd never have imagined using paper or a pattern. I just use the drape method like you would with garments. And since you want a firm fit over furniture, unlike ease in clothes, I do most of the fitting with the slipcovers inside out. No pattern at all. That gives a very tight fit where appropriate and allows one to get any piping, curves and pleats in precisely the correct spots. First I do the smaller sections, reverse fitting the chair arms. And then once I know that the smaller sections and details work, I do the larger sections and then assemble it all. I use 1" seam allowances because furniture and cushions are hardly ever regular. There is always some fudging required. Once I have the fit, then I serge off the excess.

David said: 'I have seen slipcovers that looked pretty awful. The problem was, they slipped. That is, they fit over the furniture fairly well originally, but when someone sat on the couch or whatever it pulled the cover down the back, off the arms, and generally made a mess of it. Is there a way to avoid that?'

-If slipcovers are 'slipping' that means that they have not been fitted properly. It's like making a dress, the dress can be perfectly sewn and look like a dress but it may not fit the body. Unless you are making the 'shabby chic' style the slipcovers should be just to the point of being taut, but not tight and stretched obviously. When I'm finished with the job and I put the slipcover on the sofa and pull up the zipper or close the velcro I have to pull very slighty to get that nice taut finish.

Try the paper pattern next time you'll be surprised how well the slipcover will fit. And you can keep the pattern for next time.

For customers I make two trips to the home for slipcover. Once to make the paperpatern. Then a second time for a fitting, and any small adjustments. That's all. The most important thing for me is that I don't need to move their big heavy sofa to my house!

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