Furniture and Furnishings - No-Sew Cushion Covers

Hello all,

I'm starting all over, and have recently been given an older wooden framed couch...I actually like the style of the couch, but would like to cut foam for new cushions, as well as, cover the existing cushion's fabric.....

I do not sew (not even a button), and having someone else sew these for me is not in the budget....

Is there a way to do this, with say decorative sheets, fabric, and T-pins....I was also thinking of a way to possibly do this using fusible webbing (not sure if this would be possible)....Just another thought...

I've looked online for ideas, and directions, without any luck....


Thanks for any help,


Kelly

Check with your local library and/or fabric shop for SINGER sewing reference library book SEWING PROJECTS FOR THE HOME and the Sunset book FURNITURE UPHOLSTERY. Do not use t-pins. They can come loose and just don't do well with human flesh. Go to an upholstery shop or supplier (find local ones in your yellow pages) to purchase foam for cushions. You need the proper density to hold up to sitting. I was taught in upholstery class to wrap foam with batting and whip stitch in place. It is really easy to thread a needle and this step is a snap for beginners. Additional step can be to also then wrap with muslin. The batting acts as an additonal finisher to the foam and prevents abrasion by the outer fabric. As a no sew you can cut a square out of a sheet large enough (plus generous overlap) to cover cushion just like you are wrapping a present. Finish raw edges of fabric with iron on hem finish (ask at fabric store). Wrap each cushion SNUGLY just as though you are wrapping a present. Whip stitch closed on back. I might be willing to use large safety pins but would check them frequently to make sure they are staying closed. With this method a non-sewer can do "slipcovering" after a fashion and still be able to remove fabric for cleaning and reinstalling. All of this assumes that the cushions are square or rectangular. If T-shaped this probably won't work. HAVE FUN!

Kelly,
I'm new here. However, to your question; why not tie? You may have seen the latest craze with the fleece blankets? Just clip fabric all around the edges to make cloth tags; place fabric back to back (or face to face) and tie each tag. Surely one could adapt this so the ties were not so obvious.
Depending on the frame type, you might also be able to place filler or padding and use tacks to secure material to the wood. Or a heavy duty staple gun.
I hope these suggestions help or serve as a springboard for other ideas.