• Blog
  • Home
  • How to Start a Blog
  • Privacy Policy
    • Facebook
    • Google+
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

The Shabby Creek Cottage

Hundreds of ideas for creative ways to eat, make & decorate!

  • Chalk Couture SHOP
  • eat
    • Dessert
    • Drink
    • Dinner
    • Side Dishes
  • make
    • crafts…
    • diy projects
    • cleaning and organizing
    • holiday
      • Christmas
      • Easter
      • Halloween
      • 4th of July
      • Valentine’s Day
    • freebies
  • decorate
  • subscribe

How to Make Slipcovers: part 4 (covering cushions)

All week I’m teaming up with Online Fabric Store to bring you Slip Cover Week: your step by step guide on how to make slipcovers! We’ve already tackled the tools and supplies, how to make piping, and cutting fabric. Today we’re going to install the zippers on the cushion and get them covered.
how to slipcover cushions
This tutorial is very detailed, but don’t let that scare you. It’s broken down to all the tips and tricks I know to help you be able to make your own slipcovers. If you have any questions, please leave them in the comments. I’m having issues loading my admin page right now – but rest assured I will answer them as soon as I can!
After you have all of your cushion pieces cut, you’ll also need a zipper to get your cushions in and out – so let’s learn to install a zipper.

 

First start with one of your zipper strips (that we learned to cut already). You’re going to want to bring it in an inch or so from the start of the zipper (from the pull.)

Put the selvage edge next to the zipper, using a zipper foot – you are going to sew on top of the RIGHT SIDE UP of the zipper. Make sure to back stitch when starting and finishing all seams.

Pin the second side aligned with the first side, so it’s on the other side of the zipper. It should be selvage edge towards the zipper – being sure to use matching thread because this seam will be exposed.

Once you have the zipper with fabric on each side, you need to attach the rest of the cushion sides by pinning one end to the end of where the zipper pieces are. They will be a bit wider, so after it’s pinned down be sure to trim off the excess from around the zipper.
 
Open up your zipper before sewing down the second side to make sure that the pull is inside the portion that will be on the cushion.

Sew it down so the right sides are together (think zipper pull directed towards the middle of the fabric sandwich.) Stitch it together, and you will need to sew slowly when going over the zipper. If it gets jammed, lift your needle, scoot it just a tad and try again.

Once you have this seam done, take a needle and thread and sew around the zipper with 8 or 10 stitches – some around the whole zipper, some going in the middle. This will keep your zipper from separating. It may be a little difficult to pull the needle through, so if it is use your side cutters as pliers and grab the needle to pull it through. Please use BUTTON thread for this step. Regular thread isn’t strong enough. Button thread is thicker and stronger.

Once your zipper stop stitches are in, trim off the excess zipper by snipping the “fabric” part of the zipper with scissors, then cut through the metal portion with your side cutters.

After your zipper stitches are in and your zipper is trimmed, open up the seam from the inside and smooth it down.

Now stitch right over the top of that seam, so you have a finished seam to hold everything in place. Repeat the steps on the other end of the zipper and it’s installed. Woot!

Now let’s pin the cushion! You’re going to start with a bit of your scraps to use to cover the beginning and end of the piping. I used a 2 inch by 3 inch piece, and just finger press the ends in place to create a little channel.

Start by finding the center of your zipper and the

Pin it together all the way around the cushion, making sure to think about how your fabric will go into your machine and pinning so the pins will face out and you can remove them while sewing. (Counter clockwise works best.)

If you have a bit of excess fabric, make tucks in the CORNERS to keep everything neat on the straight sides. Speaking of corners, when you are turning the piping for corners, snip several little slits into the outer edge of the piping so you can get it to curve into corners neatly. Do a couple of inches before and after the fold so you have plenty of working room.

Once it’s all pinned together, use your sipper foot and get right up next to the piping and sew as close to it as possible. You can check your work periodically to see if you need to get closer. If so, go back and stitch again.

After the first side is sewn down, pin on the second side of the cushion and sew it to the other side of the long strip. Be sure to open up your zipper so you do not sew it all shut together. 



When that side is all finished, turn it out right, then put it on your cushion. Ta Da!! You covered a cushion! Let me forewarn you that this part takes a LONG time. It takes me 2-3 hours a cushion, and you will get faster as you go. I cut out all of my pieces at once, install all my zippers, then pin and sew the cushions one at a time. It’s a slow process, but taking your time will give you a finished slipcover that looks professional.

Want to see all the slipcover posts? Here ya go!

Part One: Tools & Supplies

Part Two: All About Piping

Part Three: Cutting Fabric

Part Four: Covering Cushions

Part Five: Beginning the Frame

Part Six: Working on the Arms

Part Seven: Finishing the Frame

Part Eight: Final Tips & Tricks

ARE YOU A FARMHOUSE FAN?
Get instant access to this free guide to The Best Sources for a Farmhouse Style Home on a Budget!
YOUR NAME:
YOUR EMAIL:
_____________

Filed Under: DIY Tagged With: how to make slipcovers

About Gina Luker

Gina Luker is a writer, photographer and lover of all things quirky. She's usually found with a drill in one hand and a cocktail in the other while blogging along the way. She's addicted to coffee, polka dots, rock stars, Instagram, and everything aqua.

« How to Make Slipcovers: part 3 (efficiently cutting fabric)
make this: Twig Lamp Shade »
become a blogger banner

Comments

  1. Allison says

    September 25, 2013 at 8:33 am

    Thank you very much for your detailed instructions.
    How would you cover back cushions that are attached to the couch?

    Reply
    • Debi says

      September 27, 2013 at 9:18 am

      I’m curious about this too.. I saw one tutorial where she removed them.. but I don’t know if I want to do that..

      Reply
      • Gina says

        September 27, 2013 at 11:35 am

        You could slipcover over them or remove them, either way. Personally, I think I’d remove them.

        Reply
  2. mimra says

    September 25, 2013 at 2:10 pm

    When do we get the rest of the instructions for fitting the back, sides, arms etc? Love your detail. Have you worked with drop cloths for fabric?

    Reply
    • Gina says

      September 25, 2013 at 2:41 pm

      Hi Mimra,
      I just published the first part of that section here: http://www.theshabbycreekcottage.com/2013/09/how-to-make-slipcovers-part-5.html

      Reply
  3. Lisa@ Sweet Tea N' Salty Air says

    September 25, 2013 at 4:21 pm

    Hi Gina, thanks so much for the detailed instructions you are terrific at this I wish I lived closer cause Id plead for you to come by. lol I’ll give this a try Lisa @Sweet Tea N’ Salty Air

    Reply
  4. Kristi~The Slipcover Girl says

    September 26, 2013 at 10:08 am

    Great detail!

    Reply
  5. julie power says

    January 24, 2014 at 3:42 pm

    Have you made a video on this? You should! I would love to see that. Thanks for the detail pictures and explanations.

    Reply
  6. Lynda says

    March 6, 2014 at 11:03 am

    Do you have the rest of the instructions on making the cover and skirt Thank You

    Reply
  7. Kim says

    January 11, 2017 at 9:30 am

    Do you actually replace the old upholstery fabric from the cushion or do you cover it (so now there are 2 zippers?)

    Reply
    • Gina Luker says

      January 11, 2017 at 12:53 pm

      If you are covering already slip covered cushions then yes, remove them. If they are upholstered cushions that don’t have zippered covers then just cover over them. 🙂

      Reply
  8. Carol Neidner says

    November 18, 2018 at 9:31 am

    When the original upholstery including cushions has piping/cording, should the slipcover cushions be corded allowing the original cording to show and be felt through the new slipcovers? Or must the original cushion covers be replaced even though we are not intending to “reupholster”?

    Reply
    • Gina Luker says

      November 19, 2018 at 11:08 am

      You can just cover over the originals 🙂

      Reply
  9. Cory Bouts says

    July 19, 2019 at 5:47 pm

    My sister and I are going to slipcover two petite love seats. They have cording on them. We were thinking
    of NOT using cording in the slipcovers.
    Is that something that is done?
    What might be the problems with doing this? Will the cording on the underneath upholstered love seats
    leave visible bumps underneath the slipcover?
    We’re thinking of using a cotton duck fabric. The upholstered love seats are in an a tapestry like fabric.

    Reply
    • Gina Luker says

      July 22, 2019 at 10:39 am

      Hi Cory, I am not sure, I assume you will see and feel the cording under the new covers. Duck fabric sounds lovely, good luck!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Gina Luker

Privacy Policy & Disclosure Statement

Searching For Something?

The Shabby Creek Cottage is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com

[instagram-feed]

Copyright © 2021 · Divine theme by Restored 316

Copyright © 2021 The Shabby Creek Cottage Log in

ARE YOU A FARMHOUSE FAN?
Get instant access to this free guide to The Best Sources for a Farmhouse Style Home on a Budget!
YOUR NAME:
YOUR EMAIL:
_____________