A Fresh Look at Medium-Weight Fabrics

Lifting heavyweight slipcover fabric is a routine part of my job. Tall, chunky rolls of denim, canvas, and hemp yardage are delivered to my workroom one to three times a month, each weighing 25 to 50 pounds. For me, that’s heavy.

Since I’m a one-woman show here at The Slipcover Maker, it’s on me to lift, drag, slide, push, or pull the rolls along my walkway, through my front door, and eventually up onto my work table. It’s seriously a big pain in the back!

I want to start the new year working lighter and smarter. So, after 16 years of heavy lifting and throwing out my back one too many times, I’m saying so long to the 12 to 14-oz heavyweights.

It’s time to take a fresh look at medium-weight slipcover fabrics.

8 to 10-oz slipcover fabrics are medium-weight. They are lighter and thinner than the heavy 12 to 14-oz versions but just as versatile. Not to mention a heck of a lot easier to lift!

I’ve slipcovered with a variety of medium-weight fabrics over the years and have been pleased with the results. Here are my favorites:

• 8 oz Carr-Go Canvas
• 8 oz Cotton Chino Twill
• 10 oz Cotton Duck and 9 oz Organic Cotton Duck
• 10 oz Hemp / Organic Cotton Twill
• 8 oz Hickory Narrow Stripe Indigo Yarn-Dyed Denim

These basic qualities hold up well in sofa and armchair slipcovers that get daily, moderate use and one to two washings per year. Take a look at the Carr-Go Canvas slipcovers I made for Sherry’s sofa and Mary’s wingback. My customers have enjoyed their covers for many years!

I think “daily, moderate use” is key to a medium-weight slipcover’s longevity.

But as I transition away from the heavyweights, I wonder if certain 8 to 10-oz fabrics will work for family-friendly slipcovers that get daily, frequent use.

I’m not sure yet, but I have a hunch there are some extra-durable medium-weight fabrics out there. Time and time again, I’ve discovered that when one fabric door closes, another one opens. I’m excited to see what I can find!

Below is the criteria I use when sourcing 8 to 10-oz medium-weight fabrics. It’s simple and effective.

• Must be tightly woven — this is very important for coverage and durability.
• Sturdy, compact weaves such as canvas, duck, twill, and denim
• Made of natural fiber
• Can be machine-washed and dried

When you find a fabric that meets these standards, you have a winner!

In addition to their construction attributes, medium-weight fabrics offer a few benefits I really like.

Easy to launder: A medium-weight slipcover is a breeze to machine wash and dry! I can fit a large armchair cover in my average-size washing machine with room to spare, and it requires less drying time than a heavyweight version.

Simple to sew: 8 to 10-oz canvas, twills, and denim are easier to work with on a home sewing machine than heavyweight fabrics. Slipcover making is much more enjoyable when it’s hassle-free.

Reasonably priced: As fabric prices continue to increase, basic medium-weight cotton fabrics can still be found for less than most heavy 12 to 14-oz fabrics.

At the top of this post, I shared my list of the 8 to 10-oz fabrics that I use and recommend.

I also keep a running list of qualities I’d like to try. Here are the ones I’m curious about:

• 9 oz Cotton Beford Cord — a non-brushed alternative to corduroy!
• 8 oz Indigo Yarn-Dyed Cotton Denim in Light Blue and Dark Blue
• 9 oz Brushed Cotton Bull Denim Twill
• 10 oz Hemp / Organic Cotton Yarn-Dyed Indigo Denim

In the coming weeks, I will update my FABRICS page with a Medium-Weight section featuring reviews of my favorites. That’s where you will also be able to find new fabrics I source and test.

Do you have a favorite medium-weight fabric that you use to make slipcovers?