DIY Rocking Chair Slipcover

Learn how to sew an easy drop cloth DIY rocking chair slipcover that is both beautiful and affordable! This project is perfect for beginners and easy to clean. Revamp your old or used rocking chair, into a fresh new creation!

While most people want to steer clear from white, I tend to gravitate towards it. The secret to having “white furniture” is utilizing slipcovers. Not only are slipcovers a great way to easily remove material for easy washing, they are a beautiful way to recover any furniture that may be old, have stains or tears, or old fabric that needs updated. The “perfect” material to create a slipcover is drop cloth.

What is drop cloth?

Drop cloth is a tightly woven cotton fabric. It is also known as “duck cotton” and “canvas material”. Drop cloth is a thick, heavy duty, cotton that can be used for multiple purposes.

Many people use it to protect floors and furniture from stains, dust, paint, and other liquids. Drop cloth is more tightly woven than regular cotton, allowing it to withstand higher levels of “abuse” from pets, children, and multiple washing machine loads, making it the perfect furniture covering material!

Why create a slip cover?

As mentioned above, slipcovers can easily be removed from cushions, padding, and pillows, allowing for easy cleaning or change. The ability to remove the slipcover allows you to change the fabric or design at any time. It also allows you to utilize the cushions or padding originally used.

DIY Rocking Chair Slipcover

This post contains Amazon affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. 

Tips for Making a DIY Rocking Chair Slipcover

• Use drop cloth as your fabric of choice. As mentioned above, drop cloth is a thick, heavy duty cotton that can withstand high amounts of use and washes.
• Add a foam or upholstery padding to create flat smooth surfaces. If you use loose batting or fluff, your cushions won’t keep a solid shape very well. Removing the slipcover won’t be as convenient, as fluff can easily be scattered.
• If you want white drop cloth, the fabric you buy matters! The drop cloth I used from Amazon is 100% cotton, which means it can easily be bleached, and doesn’t turn gray or off white. This is due to the fabric being 50% cotton and 50% polyester.

Tools and Material

• Canvas Drop Cloth
• Project Foam (top cushion padding)
• Polyester Padding (bottom cushion padding)
• Scissors
• Sewing Machine
• Thread (matching color)

Instructions (top back cushion)

Watch the instructional video above for a visual demonstration.

Prep Work

1. Spread out the drop cloth on a flat surface or floor. Make sure you wash (and bleach if you want it white) your drop cloth beforehand. It is cotton, so it will shrink.
2. Place the top cushion on top of the drop cloth. Cut out the drop cloth in the shape of the cushion you will use. This will be the front piece of the top cushion (PIECE A). Make sure you leave an inch extra all the way around the cushion.
3. Place the cut out front piece of drop cloth (PIECE A) on top of the flatten drop cloth fabric. Cut out a second piece of drop cloth following the shape of the front piece (this will be the back piece, PIECE B). Make sure you add 3 or more inches to the bottom of the back piece, PIECE B. You will cut the back piece (Piece B) in two (creating a new PIECE B and PIECE C). These will overlap each other.
4. Take scissors, and cut the back piece in half horizontally. You should have a “top” back piece (PIECE B) and “bottom” back piece (PIECE C). Hem the bottom of the top piece (PIECE B) and top of the bottom piece (PIECE C) (the two edges that will overlap in the back, creating an opening).
5. Place your front piece (PIECE A) on the floor, then your cushion, then the top back piece (PIECE B). Make sure your “good” material sides are facing each other. When you turn the fabric inside out, you will want your good sides facing out. Pin the two pieces (A and B) together, leaving the bottom open.

Sewing

1. Remove the cushion carefully (if you can). Sew a seam along the edges.
2. Place the cushion back inside the newly sewn top and front piece (PIECES A and B). Place the back bottom piece (PIECE C) onto the cushion, overlapping the top back piece (PIECE B).
3. Pin the bottom back piece (PIECE C) along the edges of the already sewn piece, down the sides, and across the bottom. Remove the inner cushion if you can.
4. Sew along the pins. Make sure you front and back stitch.
5. You should have two overlapping pieces that can create an opening. With that opening, turn your fabric inside out. Place the cushions into the newly sewn slipcover.

Instructions (bottom seat cushion)

Watch the instructional video above for a visual demonstration.

Follow the steps for the top back cushion, following the shape of your bottom cushion.

Prep Work

1. Cut out a top piece (PIECE A) (following the shape of your bottom cushion, allowing an inch of extra fabric all the way around.)
2. Use the top piece (PIECE A) to create a bottom piece, adding 3 inches to the bottom for length (the extra length will be used for overlapping the back pieces once cut.)
3. Cut (horizontally) the back piece into two. Hem the bottom of the top back piece (PIECE B) and top of the bottom piece (PIECE C).
4. Place the top piece (PIECE A) on the floor (good side up), the bottom cushion, then the top back piece (PIECE B) (good side down). Pin the top piece (PIECE A) and bottom top piece (PIECE B) together. Remove the cushion.

Sewing

1. Sew a seam along the sides of the two pieces (PIECES A and B). Make sure you don’t sew across the bottom, as the back pieces will overlap to form an opening.
2. Place the cushion back inside the newly sewn piece. Add the bottom back piece (PIECE C) on the cushion, overlapping the bottom of PIECE B.
3. Pin PIECE C along the sewn pieces, down the sides, and the bottom. Remove the cushion if you can. Sew a seam to connect the back bottom piece on, and finish the slipcover.
4. Turn the slipcover inside out, and place the cushion inside.

Instructions (ottoman)

Watch the instructional video above for a visual demonstration.

Top Piece

1. Lay a piece of drop cloth over the top of the ottoman. Cut to where you want the bottom ruffle to attach to the top piece. (Make sure you have your good material side down.)
2. OPTIONAL: Fold and pin the corners of the fabric to tighten the top fabric. Sew a small seam following the fold. (I sewed my seams longer, but would make them shorter if I started over.)

Ruffle

1. Cut out a long piece of fabric for the ruffle. Make sure it can wrap around the base of the ottoman twice. (I made mine too short, but you can always cut off excess if needed.)
2. Hem each end (side) of the fabric and bottom. Make sure you front and back stitch.
3. Change the setting of your sewing machine to the highest tension (mine is 9), and the longest stitch length (mine is 5). This will create a gathering stitch, creating the ruffle for you. DO NOT FRONT AND BACK STITCH. Make sure you have long thread before you begin, and long thread at the end. (You will hold the thread to move the ruffles side to side.)
4. Hold your ruffle fabric up to the ottoman top piece. Using the long threads, move the ruffles to ensure they are even, and the proper length of the ottoman. (If your ruffle is too long, you can make tighter ruffles, or cut the excess off and create a new hem where cut.)

Sewing

1. Change your settings back to normal (4 to 5 tension, 2.5 stitch length for me). Create a straight stitch over top of your gathering stitch. Make sure you front and back stitch. This will help keep the ruffles in place.
2. Pin the bottom of the top ottoman piece with the ruffle piece by pinching the two together. (Make sure you have the “ugly” part of the ruffle hem facing outward while pinning.)
3. Create a straight or zigzag stitch to sew the pieces together.
4. Flip the slipcover inside out, and place overtop of your ottoman.

Find More Sewing Tutorials

• DIY Bassinet Mattress
• DIY Bassinet Sheet
• DIY Vintage Linen Dress with Apron

Pin It: DIY Rocking Chair Slipcover