How to Make a Slipcover for an End Table

End tables sit near sofas and chairs and provide a spot for drinks, lamps, plants and books. Often the surface of the end table will get a bit natty over time, and you may want to change how it looks until you can replace or refinish the piece. One solution is to create a simple slipcover for the end table. This project can be done in a few hours with a sewing machine. Dress the slipcover up or down to suit your decor, and if it gets dirty, simply toss it in the laundry for a quick wash and it will be back to looking like new. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Lay pre-washed and ironed fabric over the top of the side table. Cut around the table adding 1/2 inch for seam allowances to all sides. This is the finished fabric used for the top of the table.

2

Measure the height of the table from the top edge to the floor. Add 1 inch for seams and hems. Measure the length of each side and add the measurements together. Add 17 inches for pleats and seams. Cut a piece of finished fabric to this length. This long fabric will wrap around the sides of the table and make pleats at each corner.

3

Place the top fabric face-side down. Pin the top fabric to the side fabric (face sides together) with a 1/2-inch seam allowance. Start at a corner. Overhang the side fabric past the left corner 1 inch.

4

Pin across the side to the right corner. At the corner, fold the fabric 1 inch to the left and pin. Take the fabric around the corner 2 inches. Fold the fabric under 1 inch and pin. Continue and repeat at each corner. At the last corner, add fabric to create a seam with the overhanging fabric. Pin up the hem to the length you want.

5

Remove the slipcover from the table. Sew the side seam connecting the beginning and ending of the side fabric. Sew the seams connecting the top cover to the sides keeping the fabric straight at the edges. Fold the hem under and use a hemming stitch along the bottom edge.

6

Iron your corner pleats and then place the slipcover over the end table.