Slipcovers are removable covers that slip over a piece of upholstered furniture. They can extend the life of a piece or update decor - change a look by changing a slipcover.

The easiest way to make a slipcover pattern is by pin-fitting muslin.

To begin:
1. Measure outside back of chair between seamlines; cut muslin 10cm larger than actual measurements. Mark centre line on outside of back piece. Pin to chair, smoothing fabric; mark seamlines.

2. Measure inside back between seamlines; cut muslin 40cm wider and 25cm longer than actual measurements. Mark centre line on inside back piece.

3. Pin outside back and inside back together along top of chair, matching centre lines. Fold out excess fabric on inside back piece at upper corner, forming a dart. Pin muslin snug but not tight.

4. Trim excess fabric on sides of inside back to 5cm; clip along arms as necessary for smooth curve. Push fabric into crevices on sides and lower edge of inside back; mark seamlines with a pencil.

Pleated Arm:
1. Measure outside arm between seamlines; cut muslin 10cm larger than measurements. Mark lengthwise. Pin outside arm in place, with mark perpendicular to floor and lower edge extending 2cm over seamline at upper edge of skirt. Smooth fabric upwards; pin. Pin outside arm to outside back. Mark seamlines.

2. Measure inside arm from deck to seamline at upper edge of outside arm, and from inside back to front of arm; cut muslin 20cm larger than actual measurements. Mark lengthwise line. Pin inside arm piece in place with 18cm extending at inside back; keep grainline straight across arm, smoothing fabric up and around arm.

3. Pin inside arm to outside arm at front; clip and trim fabric at front lower edge for smooth fit. Pleat out fabric for rolled arm to duplicate pleats in existing fabric. Mark radiating foldlines of pleats.

4. Make tucks on inside arm at back of chair, to fold out excess fabric; clip inside arm for smooth fit. Mark seamline at beginning and end of tucks on inside arm and outside back.

5. Mark inside arm and outside back with large dots, about halfway up the arm. Push about 2cm of fabric on inside arm into crevices at deck and back.

6. Mark all seamlines on muslin, smoothing the fabric as you go.


Arm with Front Section:
1. Follow step 1 above for outside arm. Measure inside arm from deck to seamline at upper edge of outside arm, and from inside back to front edge of arm; cut muslin 23cm longer than these measurements. Mark lengthwise grainline on muslin.

2. Measure front of arm; cut muslin 10cm larger than measurements. Mark lengthwise grainline.

3. Pin inside arm piece in place, with 18cm extending at inside back and grainline straight across arm, smoothing up and around arm. Mark seamline at front edge of arm; trim excess fabric not required for seam allowances.

4. Pin front arm piece in place. Fold out excess fabric on inside arm to fit front arm piece, making two pleats. Mark seamline for curve of arm, following existing seamline on chair. Complete pattern as in steps 4,5 and 6 above.

Pin-fitting the Deck
1. Measure width at front of deck; measure length of deck, down front of chair to skirt seam; cut muslin 40cm wide and 23cm longer than actual measurements. Mark centre line on muslin. Mark seamline at front edge on straight of grain, 2cm from raw edge.

2. Pin marked line on muslin to welting of skirt seam, with centre line centred on skirt; smooth over front edge and deck. Match centre lines of deck and back.

3. Mark deck and inside arm pieces with large dots, at point where deck meets front of inside arm. Fold out excess fabric on deck at front corner, forming a dart; pin and mark.

4. Pin deck to outside arm piece at side of chair; mark seamline. Push 2cm of fabric into crevices at sides and back of deck; mark seamlines by pushing a pencil into the crevices.

Pin-fit the Skirt
1. Measure for skirt around sides, front, and back to determine cut width of skirt; allow for gathers or pleats. Plan seam placement, based on width of fabric and size of furniture, so seams are concealed in gathers or pleats; plan a seam at back corner where zipper will be inserted. Cut pieces 2.5cm longer than length of skirt.

2. Place raw edge of muslin just below lower edge of skirt; pin at upper edge of skirt, keeping straight and even. Pin seams as you come to them; pin out fullness for pleats or gathers. Pin vertical tucks in skirt, pinning 3mm tuck near back corner on each side of chair and 6mm tuck near each corner on back of chair. Mark seams and placement of pleats or gathers.