Tackling a slipcover- Part 1

 

So I am excited and nervous about my recent project. Remember this beauty I posted not long ago?

I couldn't wait any longer to get started on a slipcover! There was just one teensy weensy problem... I had never made a slipcover before. I spent hours... Shamefully, searching Pinterest and reading blog posts about making a slipcover from a canvas drop cloth. I knew that's what I wanted to do, so I went for it! The sofa is pretty long, so I bought the largest drop cloth Lowe's had available. 

The dropcoths are very stiff and a natural color rather than the white I would prefer, so I bleached that puppy! (I didn't really bleach a puppy... It's only a figure of speach)

After trial and error, (the error being a blotchy slipcover... Ick!) I literally spread out the slipcover, and rolled it up. I figured it would help the bleach soak in to the entire drop cloth better. Then I placed it into my top load washer. I allowed it to fill with warm water until the entire drop cloth was completely submersed. 

Then I added a bottle of bleach... Yep. A BOTTLE. Why?? Because the measly 2 cup method was a flop (did that several times... Turned out blotchy) so I decided with my drop cloth being huge, I should add a lot more bleach. I was right for once! 

I added the bleach into the water and turned off the machine, and shut the lid so it could sit in the bleach-water for 4 hours! It actually wasn't hard to wait that long because I could cook supper, clean and work on other projects while it soaked. 

Then I turned the washer back on and let the cycle finish. Once it was done, I opened the top and washed it with laundry detergent and warm water. After that, I dried it in the dryer for 70 minutes, which is the longest setting. Dry it on high heat so it will preshrink. It probably will have to go in the drier again to finish drying. I had to dry mine for 40 more minutes. Just keep and eye on it and take it out when it has completely dried. 

Now give it a once-over just to make sure it looks the way you want it to. Mine looked great so I was finally ready to start making my slip cover. 

The first issue I came across was the fact that the back cushions were sewn to the sofa. So, I ripped them off! Using Scizzors to carefully snip the threads as you go, helps a lot! 

 

Now lay the entire slipcover over the sofa. Use the finished edge in the back so you will have one less seam to sew. 

 

 

At this point, I got nervous. I was so afraid I would cut it wrong and would have to start all over. I just had to suck it up and go for it. 

The best way to know where to cut is to use the original seams on the sofa. I made sure to leave a couple of inches for error as I cut. 

Pull the pieces together and start pinning close to the sofa so you will have a good fit. Once you get it pinned, you can trim it down a little so it isn't such a mess. It honestly is much easier to go ahead and cut seperate peices for the sides, arms, etc. then pin them together. The best tip I gathered from my research on other blogs was to do one piece at a time, pin, sew and then turn it right side out and make sure it fits. 

Two reasons: 

1. You can see your progress and it will keep you motivated.

2. You won't have to fool with all the extra fabric while you are sewing each piece. 

So here is my first piece I pinned.

 

Here it is after I sewed it and fit it on the couch! I was so relieved that it fit so well!!

Just remember that it will go on the opposite arm of the couch when it is turned right side out. I learned the "hard" way. Well, not really hard... More like, it made me feel confused when I tried to fit it on the wrong arm and it didn't fit...

 

Now, I turned it back inside out and fit it back on the arm and started pinning the rest of the pieces on for that side. Then I just took it back off and sewed along the pins. 

Turn it right side out and fit it back on the couch to make sure all is well! Now, repeat the steps to sew the opposite end of the sofa cover. 

So I got both sides sewn and was going to start cutting the skirt, until I turned around and saw my 3 year old with my Scizzors, cutting my slipcover, straight up the front!!!!! Aghhhhh!! I honestly sobbed like a baby! Not my proudest moment!

I decided to suck it up and move on to finding a solution. And I did. I decided to trim it at the bottom and create a panel between the cover and the skirt. 

 

See the cut up the front?! 

Anyway, the next post will show you the skirt and cushions. I can't wait to finish!!!

Until then... XOXO

Ashley