Date: 10/15/09 11:24 PM

Is there a tutorial on making a slip cover for a club chair with removable T cushions?

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Reply to Nana Bella
Date: 10/16/09 6:42 AM

I don't know if there's a video tutorial, but I used this book
Complete Guide to Slipcovers

and was able to use the techniques to make slipcovers for a pair of camelback sofas.
my review

I know the book has a specific section on T-cushions too.

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Sew like the wind!

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Date: 10/16/09 11:38 AM

I used videos loaned to me by a slip cover enthusiast to make a slip cover for my three-cushion sofa that has two L-cushions. I had never made a slip cover before in all of my years of sewing. I obtained excellent results, of which I am very proud, using these videos. I returned the videos to the person who lent them to me and cannot remember the exact name but a Google search for slip cover videos will undoubtedly bring up a link. The man's name who produced the videos is John French and I think the videos may be called DIY Slipcovers. Check it out as I highly recommend these and NAYY, of course.

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Date: 10/18/09 2:30 AM

If you think of the chair as a "dressform" and the slipcover as a "fitted muslin" you will do just fine! Start pinning fabric onto the chair and cut rough pieces with an inch or so seam allowance. For curved areas on arms make folds where necessary to get a smooth fit. Add self-welt where it exists on the chair, this will help strengthen seams and adds to the pro look. Cover the cushion separately!!! This will keep the slipcover in place and it looks so much better than a lumpy mass. Lastly, allow extra fabric to tuck in to the spaces where the arms meet the back and around seat deck (under the cushion). Go ahead, stick you hand in there! There is usually 2-4" of space before you hit the frame. Having the slipcover tucked into these spaces is crucial for a tight fit and to keep it from moving around on the chair.

Good luck!!

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Date: 10/18/09 12:33 PM

Pardon poorpiglings intrustion into this venture, but would like to point out that if you intend to wash these slipcovers in the future, you should pre-wash the fabric first, otherwise you run the risk of shrinkage later, where they may not fit back on..

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Reply to poorpigling
Date: 10/19/09 11:08 AM

Quote: poorpigling

you should pre-wash the fabric first, otherwise you run the risk of shrinkage later, where they may not fit back on..

Absolutely! If you have pets, children, messy husbands..... very helpful. Also wash your piping! Add a couple yards to what you think you will need, then sew or knot the ends together to keep it from unravelling. I have seen disasters because people have washed piped items that were never intended to be washed!

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Date: 10/20/09 1:12 PM

I too recommend the DIY CDs by John French. He takes you step by step through how to make and mark a pattern, how to add for seam allowance and how to cut the pieces out.Then he shows you how to sew the pieces together. Tthe camera shots a just like looking over his shoulder . He doesn't rush through his sewing segments either and gives you plenty of time to see exactly how to sew the covers even in the hardest places. And you get all of these instruction on his basic CD. Most instructors make you pay extra for each part. This is a bargin. And I'm not affiliated with him, just a very satisfied customer.

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Date: 10/20/09 1:15 PM

Here's the link to John French's website.

http://www.diyslipcovers.co.uk/jfgallery.php

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Date: 10/20/09 4:02 PM

If you have a vintage sewing book (SEWING MADE EASY, the BH&G one, etc) there should be step-by-step instructions: measuring your furniture, making the muslin patterns for the slipcover pieces, piping, etc. I also have a McCall's slipcover "pattern," and it's essentially a package of those exact instructions. ;)

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~Gem in the prairie

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Date: 10/21/09 11:48 AM

I just want to say that how you learn new skills depends upon what works best for you; i.e., do you like reading books and looking at illustrations in a book as your learning tool, or do you like seeing actual up close step by step in-person demos. I have read several books on making slipcovers over many, many years and never felt confident enough after reading those books to actually take on the task. With the John French videos I waded in to a new skill without hesitation and am so proud and pleased with my final result. So, whatever gives you the confidence you need is what you should use; books or the videos.

I purchased 100% cotton twill fabric. I did not pre-shrink the fabric or the piping but I plan to have mine dry cleaned when they need it. I know the laundered twill would have to be ironed and that would be a daunting task. Again, how you treat your fabric will depend upon what type of fabric you use.

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