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Slipcover
Pattern Reviews - Which
slipcover patterns work, and how to make
them even better.
Note: ratings
are on a scale of 1 (usable) to 5 (top notch)
Butterick
#6108
Floorcloth,
pillows and cushions for wicker furniture:
These
instructions include a pattern and directions
for making bias strip in a continuous loop . This
is a real time saver --we use a system like this
in our slipcover workroom.
The
pillow instructions are complete and just fine
as they are. If you want to fit the cushions
on an existing piece, I suggest that you put
the pattern on a piece of muslin and cut it out,
then pin the muslin to your cushion and make
sure it fits, or mark and trim off the excess
muslin until you have an exact fit.
The
boxing, or strip that goes around the sides of
the cushion, should be cut no more than one inch
wider than the finished width.
Vogue "Patterns for Living" #2054,
for a 3-cushion sofa and a T-cushion chair:
This
is really instructions, with some nice pillow
patterns in the envelope.
Nothing wrong with the instructions, except there
is no allowance for a tuck-in underneath the seat
cushions. Therefore the covers will never
stay in place if the furniture is used at all.
If
you use these patterns, add about 4 or 5 inches
to the bottom of the inside back and inside arm,
as well as to the deck (part underneath the seat
cushions) and cut these to flare out from the
bottom of the existing pattern pieces about 5
inches ; this is shown on Pat Reese's "Advanced
Cutting" video.
McCall's
Home Decorating #8036
Here
are patterns for two styles for ladder-back chairs,
two for round-back or "Windsor"
chairs, one for a folding chair and one for a side
chair with arms (a "Braeur" chair) all
very attractive.
The
instructions and patterns are very complete;
the styles are detailed and some done in contrasting
trim. In spite of the fact that the pattern is
labelled
"Easy" most are rather complex and
some will only fit well if you make sure that
your chair is the exact size that the pattern
is made for.
It
would be a good idea to measure each piece
of the style you are making and compare it
with the measurements of the chair you are
planning to fit. As with the other patterns,
I suggest making a muslin pattern if there
is much variation in size, particularly on
the styles that involve curved pieces.
Simplicity "Home" slipcovers
#7565
This
is the most complete set of styles, includes
wing chair cover and ruffled skirted sofa with
3 seat cushions.
Again,
these are really instructions…….the
only pattern pieces in the envelope are squares
for cushions or pillows…..I cut these
with a ruler and find no need for a pattern.! This
time tuck-ins are provided for but no illustration
of how to fit them to the shape of the inside
back or inside arm. There
are instructions for making a tube for continuous
cutting of bias for welt cord. Seam
allowances of 1 inch are intended to be cut
down later. This will make the cover difficult
to fit; better to cut 1/2 inch seams to begin
with.
Simplicity
#8258
3
chair styles, a sofa and an ottoman. Same
thing…..one
inch seam allowances.
But the drawings are good. The tuck-ins are
shown, although they are not shaped to stay in
the form of the seat as well as they could to hold
the cover in place. After pinning them
as the instructions show, add a flare out
below the bottom of the inside back and inside
arm.
Simplicity
"Home" pattern #8261
Says
Sofa, Chair & Ottoman Cover on the envelope
but the pictures and the patterns are for a parsons
chair, a dining chair with no skirt, a folding
chair and
……very useful……a
butterfly chair, the kind with a metal criss-cross
frame that is often used outdoors.
This
in the only pattern I have ever seen for a butterfly
chair cover. Again it is a good idea to
compare the measurements of the pattern to your
own frame or cut the pattern from muslin and
see how it fits. This can be made from
outdoor fabric.
A
general note: Most of these sewing instructions
sew the cording to the inside back rather than
the outside back, etc.
As
a general rule I always apply the cording to
the piece of the cover that will be flat on the
chair, (outside back, outside arm) and then apply
the part that will be eased or pleated onto the
flat piece. This is how I make the slipcover
fit over puffy or curved parts.
For
more detailed instructions, see "Order of
Cutting" and "Order of Assembly"
lessons posted elsewhere on this site.
Other
Slipcover Patterns:
Books:
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