A Cotton Ticking That Works for Washable Slipcovers

For Malorie & Mike’s slipcover makeover, I updated their pair of Wesley Hall faded velveteen chairs and ottoman using medium weight Covington New Woven Ticking.

Yes, you read that right — a medium weight ticking as in 7  to 8 ounces. Gasp!

If you’ve been following my blog for a while, you know I rarely recommend ticking, or any other fabric, that is lighter than 10 ounces. Why? Most medium-weight fabrics lack the coverage and durability that an everyday slipcover requires.

At first I was reluctant to use Covington’s 7.8 oz cotton ticking to cover plush upholstery. It’s not the heavy weight I prefer. I’m still on the search for that. But it worked surprisingly well for my customer’s project because it has four things going for it:

1. The stripe pattern is woven in the cloth (not printed on the surface).
2. The fabric is a strong twill weave (not a loose canvas weave).
3. The weave is dense and tightly constructed.
4.  It’s a 100% cotton. And, yes, it’s washable even though it’s labeled dry clean only.

All of those attributes add up to durability. That means sturdy enough for a slipcover that gets normal daily use and moderate washings. (That’s code for no bleach, no monthly washes, no pet scratching and no rowdy kids.) 🙂

And, for you DIY slipcover makers — this medium weight ticking is very easy to work with on a home sewing machine. Use a #12 needle and regular sewing thread.