Questions to Ask & Things to Consider When Buying Custom Made Slipcovers On-Line

Custom tailored slipcovers may not always be the best choice for your decorating needs. If you are simply looking for an inexpensive cover up to hide that bargain furniture that you plan to replace next year, then custom tailored slipcovers are not the right choice for you right now. However, if you have invested in or plan to invest in good quality furniture, and want to protect and extend the life of your furniture, or create a great new look at a fraction of the cost of new furniture, then custom tailored slipcovers are the best solution.  As with any other purchase, you should learn as much as possible about the product you’re purchasing and then shop and compare. Here are a few things that you should keep and mind and be aware of before you make your purchase.

Cheap vs. Good Value

Cost is one of the primary considerations of any purchase; however, the lowest cost is not always the best value.  If you’re purchasing a custom slipcover to extend the life of your furniture, you want a slipcover that not only looks good and fits well but is well made, from high quality fabric, to make sure it will last.  If you have to replace an inexpensive slipcover in less than two years, then the cost of your slipcover has doubled.

Is it really a custom tailored slipcover?

You find the word “custom” used to describe a wide range of slipcovers. But what does custom fit really mean?  A real custom tailored slipcover is made not only to the width of your furniture but made to follow the curves and contours of your furniture on every side.  The slipcover should follow the curve of the arms and back and should not require ties or Velcro tabs to take up excess fabric in the front or back. 

Watch out for retailers who advertise their products as “custom slipcovers” who are simply re-sizing ready-made style slipcovers to the dimensions you give them. These types of covers can be produced quickly and cheaply.  The result is just an ill fitting cover with less slack, not a slipcover with a tailored fit that follows the curves of your furniture that you expected.

What measurements do they ask for and how do you submit them?

There is a saying that goes “Garbage in, garbage out.”  This saying can easily be applied to some on-line slipcover retailers. The measurements required to make a well tailored slipcover are numerous and they need to be precise.  Therefore, the method used to collect these measurements is very important.  The customer needs to clearly understand what measurements need to be taken and how to take them correctly.

Custom Tailored Slipcover

Faux Custom Slipcover - Doesn't follow the roll of the arm.

The possibility of making a measurement error, and getting a slipcover that doesn’t fit well, is greatly increased when you’re trying to take measurements based on crude drawings on your monitor that may not necessarily match your furniture. In addition, the pattern maker also needs photos of your furniture to have a clear understand of your furniture’s design features.

Are the slipcovers custom crafted for your furniture or do you have to pick a slipcover style that comes close to your type of furniture?

Furniture styles vary greatly.  Furniture is designed with a wide range of design features – countless arm shapes and sizes as well as back and cushion styles making each piece unique.  A good custom slipcover maker looks at your furniture and creates a slipcover that not only fits correctly but also takes the furniture’s features into consideration.  Are the back cushions attached?  Does it have a camel back?  Do the arms slant out or are they scoop arms or English arms?  These are just a few of the considerations that a good slipcover maker addresses when custom crafting a slipcover for your furniture.  This type of craftsmanship may take longer, but the end result is a slipcover that not only covers your furniture but enhances your décor.

And finally, can you send them back for corrections if they don’t fit right?

Of course, no matter how careful you might be when you take your measurements, there is always the possibility that the slipcover may not fit correctly.  Therefore, you want to make sure that you have the ability to send it back for corrections.  Some retailers don’t warranty their product or allow customers to send product back for corrections and simply use the “custom made” label as a way to prevent customers from sending back slipcovers that don’t fit well.

We hope that the information we have provided has given you a greater insight into what goes into creating a custom slipcover and some of the important aspects to consider when selecting a vendor to make your custom slipcover.