A welt cord hem adds such a pretty, and professional finish to a slipcover. It works great for chair and sofa slipcovers that don’t need a skirt. Does your furniture have exposed legs? A welt cord hem will help show them off.
The hem on this wingback slipcover (above) is edged with welt cord and attached to the bottom of the chair with Velcro. The Velcro helps keep the slipcover from riding up and creates a smooth, taut hem line.
I’m often asked how I get this look. In today’s post I share my tips and tricks for hemming with welt cord. Continue reading →
Attached back cushions on a sofa or loveseat can be a little tricky to slipcover.
To get the best fit, I detach them and cover each one individually. This method is actually very simple and works great when the attached cushions are pillow-style.
For this slipcover project, however, that wasn’t the case. The back cushions were upholstered to the love seat frame. Detaching them was not an option.
Instead, I designed the slipcover to encase the attached cushions with a tailored fit using boxing panels.
Boxing the attached cushions at top, sides, center and bottom required a lot of extra work. This was not a beginner’s project! But the results are worth it. The slipcover functions better and looks more professional than had I created a one-piece tuck-in style cover.
This medium weight blend has a finer weave and smoother hand-feel than basic cotton canvas. It feels more like a densely woven poplin. Very durable for a 10 oz. Very little shrinkage and low wrinkle. Pet owners beware: hair sticks easily to this fabric.
What type of welt cord works best for slipcovers? My favorite is medium-firm polyester in size 5/32. This cord (above) has a poly tissue-like core and wrapped with a braided cover. Here’s why I like using it for sofa, chair and ottoman covers:
Firm enough to keep its shape yet soft enough to bend around curves smoothly
Doesn’t shrink or pucker when you wash your slipcover
5/32 size is ideal for slipcovers and the slightly smaller 4/32 is good for pillows
There are many retailers and wholesalers who carry this type of welt cord. For small quantities I recommend the retailer Sailrite and for large wholesale quantities I would go with Rowley.
Online upholstery suppliers often carry this type of cord, too. Tip: sample before you buy. I recently purchased 500 yards of “polyester welt cord 5/32” from an upholstery supplier and I was very disappointed with the quality. The 5/32 size was wimpy and the core was mushy and flattened quickly. Now I know not all poly welt cord is made the same way.
Avoid using cotton welt cord (left) for washable slipcovers. The cotton fill is a bit lumpy and loosely covered with fishnet. Another type of cotton welt cord is twisted like a rope. Either way, it’s mushy and flattens easily. Watch out, this stuff will shrink!
