Any person who has ever searched for an RV, whether they need it for full-time living or a part-time gig, has at some point muttered the words, “Who the heck designed these things?” My answer to you, “Men.”
Whether you’re browsing older models, or looking for brand new, you’ll have the same issue. The materials chosen for the upholstery, especially, are usually nothing to write home about.
Take, for instance, our camper. Although brand new, it literally has five different patterns used for lighting, upholstery, and valances. Five! The seat back cushions were, by far, the worst of them all. So I decided to change that.
Today, I’ll show you the simple way I used to make my no-sew cushion covers.
DIY No-Sew Cushion Covers
Items You’ll Need:
- Approximately 1 yard of material (@ 54″ wide) per cushion
- Basting pins
- One 4×6 sheet of Sticky Fabric Velcro (no sewing or ironing needed)
The material you choose for your covers doesn’t have to be fancy. It doesn’t even have to be upholstering fabric. It’s totally up to you, and that’s the beauty of it. I did, however, spring for nice thick upholstery. I set out to get just a nice plain gray. But let’s face it, I’m a sucker for stripes.
I bought 3 yards of fabric so I would have leftovers to use for curtains or valances later. In reality, the cushions only ended up using about 2 yards.
Step 1: Cut Fabric to Fit Cushion
Our cushions are about 4 inches thick. So I cut my material so there would be about 6-7 inches of overhang at each end. When I wrapped them, I wanted the fold to reach completely to the backside.
Step 2: Pin Cushion Cover in Place
Once you have your material cut to size, you’ll want to pin it in place. The best way to describe it is to wrap it like you would a present. Use your basting pins to pine the material in place before you attach your velcro.
Step 3: Place Velcro on to Secure Cushion Cover
I cut my 4×6 inch piece of velcro into 1-inch squares. This will give you 24 squares to use between two cushions. I used 6 squares of velcro, spaced evenly, to tack down the back portion of the cover, then 3 for each end.
When I attached the velcro to the back, I chose to fold in the material on the end by maybe a 1/4 inch. I feel it gives it a slightly more finished look.
Step 4: Wrap it up!
Then fold your ends in just as your would wrapping a present. Tack it down with pins first to make sure it’s nice and tight. Then replace each pin with a square of velcro. One on each fold, and then one at the point of the flap. Stick and hold tightly for about 30 seconds to ensure it adheres.
For me, it was just a simple way to bring more of my own style (and color scheme) to our little space. Feel free to share your experience using this method in the comments below.
