Slipcover Flange Hem Tutorial

Give your DIY slipcover a professional hem finish with this pretty flange detail. It’s easy to make and no welt cord is needed.

I recently copied a commercially made sofa slipcover. It was hemmed with a sweet little flange hem. I love the look — it’s a subtle tailored detail that gave the cover a pretty and polished finish.

This type of hem treatment is for a slipcover that doesn’t have a skirt. It can be used in place of a rolled hem or a welt cord hem. Use self-fabric or a contrast color or pattern.

If you are making a slipcover that is trimmed with topstitch instead of welt cord, this 1/4 inch wide flange hem will look fantastic. And, it’s very easy to make!

Here’s the step-by-step tutorial:

Step 1: Cut Flange Strips

Unlike bias strips for welt cord, flange strips can be cut across the fabric width (on the cross grain).

First, measure around your slipcover hem to determine the total flange length. Then, cut as many 2 inch wide strips as you need.

Snip-off ends at a 45 degree angle. This will help reduce bulk when you join the strips together.

Step 2: Join Strips

Stitch strips together with a 1/4 inch seam. Press seams open.

I use the iron instead of finger pressing to make sure the seam stays flat and smooth.

Step 3: Fold and Press

Fold the strip width exactly in half and press. Make sure raw edges meet.

This is what your continuous flange strip will look like.

Step 4: Stitch Strip to Slipcover

Place the flange strip on the right side of your slipcover. Start at the center back. Leave about a 4 inch tail for joining with the other end.

Line up the raw edges with the slipcover hem edge. Stitch together with a 3/4 inch seam.

Here is what the flange strip looks like stitched to the slipcover. You can see the 1/4 inch flange section above the 3/4 inch seam allowance.

Step 5: Overlock Edge

Finish the seam raw edges with an overlock stitch or zig-zag. This will keep the edges from fraying.

Step 6: Turn Back and Topstitch

Now, turn the seam allowance to the reverse side of the slipcover. The 1/4 inch wide flange will show on the right side just below the seam line.

Topstitch 1/4 inch through all thicknesses from the seam line. This will keep the seam allowance from popping out and drooping down.

Since this was a slipcover copy, I don’t have photos of the new slipcover on the sofa. But I can tell you the flange hem has a comfortably snug fit and exposes the sofa legs. The look is clean and contemporary.

Remember, if you want to create this type of hem be sure to add 3/4 seam allowance to your desired finished hemline on your slipcover. You will need that seam allowance to attach the flange strip.

As always, thanks for reading. And, have fun making your flange hem! — Karen