Sew Special: White Slipcover Part B

We just came back from a 2 week vacation to Galveston and Houston, Texas. We played hard, had tons of fun with cousins and family, came home exhausted, and have been taking it easy this week.

New black and white ikea rug gives the room a western vibe, which I am loving lately

Just before we hit the road, I finished this white slipcover. I am so happy with how this turned out. I used the antique ticking that I mentioned having purchased awhile back. Here are some steps and pictures of the cushion covering part of the process.

white slipcover with denim and ticking

If you are like me and you want to do this as economically as possible - the PRE first step is to make some cording with laundry line cord, twine, or other hefty string. That could be a whole post in and of itself. Check youtube for video instructions on making cording - there are tons.

Step 1: Trace around the old cushions cushions to make an pattern for the new ones. I usually trace directly onto the new fabric - risky, but time saving.  Measure the depth (width of the strip around the cushion and cut some strips that wide plus 1 inch (for 1/2 inch seam allowances)

Step 2: Cut 1 side strip in half and insert the zipper. Cut this strip about 1/2 inch wider than the rest to allow for the insertion of the zipper plus the 2 side seams.

Step 3: Sew/Baste cording around the outer edge of your soon-to-be cushion cover. The only hard part on this step is at the end. You have to cut your cording about 2-3 inches longer than the actual circumference of your cushion. Open the cording and cut out the rope/twine so that it just meets up with the starting end. Then fold back the extra fabric to create a neat hem around the joint. Sew the two ends together. See video here (starting about 10 minutes in)

 Step 4: Sew fabric strip almost all the way around and then stop and join the strip ends together before completing the seam. Again - tons of videos on youtube about this - check it out!  Even this sturdy denim has a tendency to fray - so I trimmed all the seam allowances with pinking shears and then zigzag stitched close to the edge.

Step 5: Sew the other half of the cushion to the center strip and reinforce seam allowances. Turn right side out and insert foam cushion.