Several months ago, on Instagram, I shared a picture of my newly slipcovered sofa. In the description, I posted that it is one piece and I would be sharing how to make it soon. With the virus and extra people in the house, I just didn't have the peace and quiet to give the tutorial the concentration required to share in a way that is inspiring as well as HELPFUL.
Because basic sewing comes naturally to me, I have to keep myself in check as I'm writing sewing tutorials to make sure I'm explaining in a fashion that EVERYONE can understand, not just readers who can sew. Is that clear as mud?? Ha!!!
Because I was recovering a smaller sofa, I knew I would have plenty of fabric. I love linen, not just for the look, but also for its durability. Good linen wears like steel.
This hand me down sofa had been in the playroom for the last 6 or 7 years. It was never my favorite, but my kids and their friends loved it, so it served its purpose. A couple of years ago, when I could no longer stand the awful brown, I made the slipcover you see above. It really was a better fit than the picture shows, but it was still not my best work. The fabric is a good linen and was still in great condition, with the exception of a few stains that I knew I could cut around. So I took my seam ripper to it.............
And came up with this pile of reusable fabric. I washed all pieces and discarded any stained portions.
Because I was recovering a smaller sofa, I knew I would have plenty of fabric. I love linen, not just for the look, but also for its durability. Good linen wears like steal.
I measured how much cording I needed so that I could make that first and have it out of the way. For me, it just makes the project go faster once the actual sewing begins. Due to COVID and supply issues, I used this clothesline from Walmart to make my cording. You can find a comprehensive tutorial on how to make custom piping here.
As with most slipcovers, I begin by making a pattern out of craft paper.
This is simple to do with some straight pins and a black marker.
I did not trace pieces for the backs, seat, or skirt. It's easier to just drape, pin, and then cut out the larger pieces of the sofa.
In part two, I will show how to cut the fabric, pin, and then sew the wrong side out. I will also share the tricks that make the one-piece slipcover look like it has individual covered cushions.