Recycling a bedspread into a slip cover

Today is all about how I turned a $10 goodwill twin bedspread into a barbie pink slip cover and gave a huge pop of color to our basement playroom.

I wasn't sure if the twin bedspread was going to give up enough fabric to cover the chair.  Luckily with the 2 shams, I was able to make it work.  (if you are trying this for your self, make sure you measure your chair and the fabric to see it you have enough for your project.)

Starting out I gave the bedspread a good washing, and then I got to work.  I wish I could say there is a pattern to follow, but the reality is I had to figure it out as I went.  Every chair or sofa may be a bit different, but I hope that by taking you through this it will help you with one of yours.

The chair I had to work with was in pretty bad shape. The upholstery was ripped, but the chair underneath was good.

I removed skirting from my chair.  You can leave yours if you think you may use it again. 

After a good look, I noticed there's two distinct patterns on the bedspread.  I carefully cut them apart.  This left me with a good sized "field" fabric and narrower bands of trim fabric.

Drape field fabric over back of chair and cut to size.  Make sure you work with right sides down (face of the fabric will be pinned together).  My fabric is same on both sides, so it doesn't show.

Start pinning and piecing the fabric together, sewing as you go.  I do like to use a ruler and a pencil to mark my stitch lines when possible.

Once the back is sewn, I pieced and cut down the arms.  Pin and sew into place.  I needed to add the trim pieces to the field pieces to create the right length.

Throughout the process, I like to fit the slip cover, right side out to make sure of the fit.  The more often you so this the easier it is to catch where adjustments may be needed.

Next up, arm fronts. Cut pieces to fit, pinned in place and sew.

I like to use a pinking shears when I trim my seams.  It would be best to zig zag the seams or if you have a serger to serge them close. 

Piece and cut the front panel and sew.  I needed to add darts on the corners to ease in this process.

close up of corner darts

Turn right side out and slip over chair.  Time to cover the seat cushion.

Here is where I started to note I was running out of large pieces of fabric.  I did not have one single piece that would cover the seat cushion, so I pieced the sham and some trim together to have enough for the top and bottom of the cushion. 

Measure around the cushion-taking one piece of fabric that is the full height of the cushion, and make sure it fits between 1/2 to 3/4 the way around the perimeter.  I then take a piece of fabric and cut it in two and create a flap for the back of the cushion.  Sew all of this together.

Pin and stitch the top panel to the side panel.

Do this to both sides.

Turn right sides out and replace seat cushion.

I still needed a back pillow.  And as I had very little fabric left over, and to help mellow the barbie pink I chose a coordinating fabric for the back pillow.

And it is all done.

I had very little fabric left over, really only the cutting floor scrapes.

Now that is what I call making it work!

-Laurie



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