Do you wonder if denim is the right choice for your project? Below I answer your most frequently asked questions about one of my favorite slipcover fabrics.

Does denim work better than canvas for a slipcover?

For my own slipcovers I use denim more often than cotton canvas because I like the appearance better. I like the twill weave texture as opposed to the flat look of canvas. Denim also has less wrinkle than canvas.  Both denim and canvas are strong, versatile fabrics that make a good looking and durable slipcover. Consider the look you’re going for, your budget and what kind of use your slipcover will get.  Buy a yard of each denim and canvas you like, wash them and throw them over your furniture to see which one speaks to you.

Will un-dyed natural denim cover my dark color upholstered furniture?

Heavy weight 14 oz. natural denim does a good job at covering dark colors.  Most 12 oz. denims will, too. I recommend testing a sample to be sure.

What type of denim holds up best to kids and pets?  

A heavy weight 14 oz. denim will be the most durable and can take frequent washing.  It makes a very substantial slipcover. Some 12 oz. denims will also work well.  Both yarn dye denim and bull denim will work as long as they are heavyweight.  I don’t recommend denim that is lighter than 12 oz. for high traffic slipcovers.

 Is $18 denim better quality than one that is half the price?

Price doesn’t always reflect the fabric’s quality. I bought a $10 natural denim and liked the quality much more than a more expensive one I had.  I have also purchased discount denim and was very disappointed with the amount of flaws and extremely high shrinkage.  You can find out a lot about the fabric quality by doing a wash & dry test on one yard.

I bought denim that is pre-washed. Do I have to pre-shrink it before making my slipcover?

Yes! A fabric labeled “pre-washed” means the fabric has been finished in a way that makes it feel soft and supple.  It doesn’t mean all of the shrinkage has been removed.  Be sure to pre-shrink your denim yardage so your slipcover doesn’t shrink later on.

I found a denim I like but its Dry Clean Only.  Can it be washed?

The best way to find out is to wash test a yard.  I have washed many dry clean only cotton denim fabrics and most of them turned out great.  Sometimes they shrink more or fade easier than a washable denim so be sure to test a sample before you commit to a lot of yardage.

The indigo denim I bought feels very stiff after I washed it.  How can I soften it?

Frequent washing will relax the fabric over time but it probably will never feel like a soft and supple “pre-washed denim”.  Special chemicals and wash treatments are applied to the denim during production. These cannot be duplicated in a home laundry. In lieu of chemicals, I have tried vinegar, fabric softeners, dryer sheets and dryer balls to soften stiff denim without success.

When shopping for denim, don’t confuse stiffness with weight.  Denim that feels very stiff or rigid doesn’t always soften after it’s washed and might wrinkle like crazy.

Have you ever made an ottoman slipcover and the top fit too small even though your measurements were spot on? Did the welt cord ride up and pull away from the corners?

That’s usually what happens when you cut and sew the ottoman top to match only the width and depth measurements. Those specs don’t tell you much about how poofy or flat the ottoman’s crown is or how rounded or pointed the corners should be.

To create a better fit try this:  pin fit the welt cord upright against the ottoman sides. Here’s how I do it:

1. Cut fabric for the ottoman top 2″ larger on all sides.
2. Center fabric on ottoman and pin it to the surface.
3. This is key: position welt cord seam allowance flat against the sides of the ottoman.  Align the rounded edge of the welt cord with the ottoman surface. Pin cord all the way around following the natural curve of the corners.
4. Trim excess fabric following edge of welt cord seam allowance. Remove the top cover from ottoman and stitch on welt cord without removing the pins. Notch corners and proceed with attaching skirt.

Over the summer I gave my customer’s sofa and love seat a denim makeover for her very cute lakeside cottage.

Tough, washable and soft,  this 14 oz. family-friendly denim makes the best slipcovers. Bring on the sand, wet bathing suits and dirty feet!

Can you believe this Thomasville Felicity sofa is 11 years old?  The chair and ottoman, too!  Only the original matelasse slipcovers, after years of wear and regular washing, showed their age.

My customer wanted to keep her furniture and update it with new slipcovers.  She brought me her old ones to copy, which I ripped apart to make patterns.  Voila! New slipcovers in heavy weight, washable natural denim.