Category Archives: slipcover copy

This Tent and Tarp Canvas Makes the Best Slipcover

Big Duck Canvas Chair Slipcover

It doesn’t take much to completely change the look of your favorite slipcovered armchair.  A fabric update and a skirt redesign usually does the trick.

This project was a slipcover replacement for my customer Ali in Washington, DC. She sent me her original floral slipcover to be copied in #12 weight natural cotton canvas.

Her vision for her new cover? A classic look, versatile, durable and washable. That was easy to achieve with #12 weight canvas because it delivers all of that and then some.

Compared to regular 12 oz canvas, the #12 weight is tougher, smoother, stronger and less grainy. That’s because it’s made with 2-ply yarns and tightly woven. Designed for tents and tarps, this utility canvas also makes the best washable, long wearing slipcovers. You will love the price, too!

Be sure to follow my preshrink instructions to minimize wrinkles.

Slipcover Replacement: Can your old sofa or chair cover be copied?

Replacement Sofa Slipcover DenimCatherine’s old slipcover was cat scratched, stained, shrunk-up and stretched out. At first glance you might think how in the world can her cover be copied with good results.

Well, in spite of its worn out condition, Catherine’s slipcover turned out to be a straightforward pattern to replicate. Here’s why:  

  1. Overall good fit. The slipcover frame (the body) fit relatively well. It only needed minor fit adjustments — a few simple fixes to restore the original shape such as adding ease, squaring up corners and raising the slouchy skirt.
  2. Cushion covers intact. The overall shape and fit of the back and seat cushion covers could be copied as-is. No additional pattern drafting or guesswork needed.
  3. New slipcover fabric similar to original.  Slipcover fit translates best when the fabric for the new slipcover is the same or similar weave and weight as the original. Catherine’s old cover was made with a sturdy cotton denim. For her slipcover copy I used this durable, washable 12 oz cotton bull denim in color Soft Cream from Big Duck Canvas.

See more slipcover copies I’ve created and learn what else to consider when it’s time to have your old slipcover copied.

Should I keep my big, old sofa or replace it?

White Cotton Bull Denim Slipcover for Sofa

Philip’s old Mitchell Gold sofa, updated with a washable white slipcover, is ready to move to his new place.

Should I keep my big, old sofa or replace it? That’s the question most of us ask when we are planning a move or redecorating.  It can be a tough decision especially if you still love the comfort and size of your sofa but hate the worn, outdated upholstery or slipcover.

Keeping your old sofa is a good option when:

  • Springs are still supportive.
  • Frame is still strong and stable.
  • Seat cushion inserts are still comfortable and show little compression.
  • Size and style still works well for your lifestyle and space.
  • You can get at a least 3 to 5 more years use out of it.
  • The cost of moving your sofa and/or updating it with a slipcover, or new upholstery, is more affordable than buying a new piece of similar quality.

For my customer, Philip, the answer was keep the sofa and update it with a new slipcover in washable, heavy weight white denim.

“It turned out fantastic! I am so happy with the color and the fit. Once I get moved, I’ll use a steamer to get out some of the wrinkles and adjust the Velcro, but on first fit, it looks perfect to me. 🙂 I can’t believe the stitching and seams and welting. It looks just as good, if not better than the original, not an imperfection to be found! That old, faded and cat scratched blue denim cover is long forgotten.” –Philip

Custom Sofa Slipcover in White Cotton Bull Denim

On the flip side, replacing your old sofa is a good idea when:

  • It no longer feels comfortable.
  • You have to spend money on fixing springs, replacing foam cushion inserts, repairing wobbly legs, etc. Repairs and cushion replacements are costly.
  • It’s been exposed to water damage, doesn’t dry out and develops mold inside. Now were talking health hazard.
  • The size and style no longer suit your needs.
  • Updating it with a new slipcover, or upholstery, costs more than buying a brand new piece of same quality and size. This is usually the case for large sectionals.

Still on the fence about keeping your sofa?

Make a list of pros and cons of keeping it vs. replacing it. Compare the costs between having it moved, updated with a slipcover or upholstery and replaced with a brand new piece. Consider space planning, sentimental value, budget, lifestyle and long term use.

Custom Slipcover for Pottery Barn Brooks Chair

Custom Slipcover for Pottery Barn Brooks Chair

Elise’s pair of Pottery Barn Brooks Chairs were used more by her dogs than her and her husband. “No more!,” she wrote, “we’re taking them back for ourselves!”

Right on, Elise!

I received her original slipcover to copy in a cotton print, Ikat Spots. It’s a home decor fabric of medium weight with a directional pattern that required matching. I’m not sure how it washes. This slipcover was made to dry clean only.

The Brooks is a slipper chair design with an attached seat cushion. The fitted cover pulls on (no zipper or Velcro closure) and has a flap style skirt. I kept the slipcover copy simple like the original with only one row of welt cord and minimal top stitching to finish the seams and hem.

Sofa Slipcover Makeover from Bold Print to Solid White

Sofa Slipcover Copy in White Denim

When it comes to slipcover fabrics are you drawn to prints or do you prefer a solid color?

I like both but more often than not I choose a neutral solid. It acts as a blank canvas and makes my slipcover super versatile. I think of a neutral color as quite, soothing and easy to live with.

By contrast, a fabric print comes with its own unique personality. It gives a slipcovered sofa or chair a distinctive style, which could be the perfect focal piece for your space or just a fun accent.

Either way, the beauty of a slipcover is you can enjoy a fabric print for as long as you like and then swap it out for a solid….or the other way around.

For this slipcover copy my customer, Maura, sent me her bold abstract print slipcover to copy in a creamy white denim. You can see how going from a print to a solid completely changes the look and mood of her sofa and living space.