A sofa cover can give a piece of furniture a new lease on life.Making your own slipcovers is more cost-effective and offers the benefit of using fabric that is exactly the color and texture you want.It is possible to make a sofa slipcover using just a few basic resources and a couple hours of your time.
Step 1: Determine the amount of material you need.
The following are general guidelines for fabrics in solid colors; patterns may need more in order to match the different pieces.The yard is where fabric is sold.You will need to verify the width of the bolts of fabric at the craft store.The typical width is from 32 to 60 inches, with 45 and 60 being the most common.The width of the fabric is 54 inches (137 cm).For a two-cushion sofa, use 16 yards and for a three- cushion sofa use 18 yards.
Step 2: Purchase the material.
You can buy it at a fabric store.A fabric is in a solid color.If you're not ready to put in the extra work, look for a cover material that's a single tone.This will be much easier to work with if you use a fabric with a lot of drape.
Step 3: The material should be washed and dried.
This makes the material softer and accounts for any shrinkage that may occur.The beauty of a slipcover is that it can be easily removed and washed, but you need to make sure it won't shrink after you've made it.Follow care instructions for the fabric you're working with.
Step 4: The material needs to be iron before the work can begin.
This ensures a smooth and accurate fit because Wrinkles could cause puckering in the finished product.
Step 5: Tuck the sofa in with cheap butcher paper.
The cover should be in line with the sofa's shape.Since you're creating the pattern at this point, you can decide if you want a close-fitting or loose cover.It's okay to use two or three large pieces.You may need to secure the sofa with safety pins.The arm fronts don't need to be covered at this point.If you feel confident, you can skip the mock-up and drape the sofa with the material you're going to use wrong-side up.You can use chalk to trace the pattern onto the fabric.
Step 6: The pattern sections should be marked with chalk.
You can use chalk to identify where to cut out the pattern with the exception of the arm fronts.The back of the sofa should have different sections, including the seating area, which should be on the outside, as well as the side pieces that go up and over the inside.
Step 7: The arm fronts should be measured.
There are two vertical sections on either side of the sofa.It is easy to create a pattern for them.You can use one pattern to create both pieces.Cut out a piece of paper about the same size as the arm front.To hold it to one of the arm fronts, use pins.There is a chalk outline of the arm front.You can use this piece for both armrests.
Step 8: The pattern sections should be cut out.
To cut along the chalk outlines, use the scissors.
Step 9: Remove the sections for the sofa cover.
Place large sections of the fabric on top of a flat surface.The seam allowance for hemming is 1 inch ( 2.5 cm) when you mark the dimensions on the fabric with the chalk.Seam allowance is extra fabric you leave so that you can sew the pieces together.If your arm fronts are asymmetrical, you should flip the pattern over before tracing the second one.
Step 10: The sections should be pinned together.
The pieces of fabric should be placed on the wrong side of the sofa.Taking care to affix the pins just on the inside of the chalk lines, you can assemble the sections with straight pins.The general shape will be created by this.
Step 11: The arm fronts should be sewed to the armrest sections.
Don't touch the pins connecting the arm fronts if you want to unpin these sections from the sofa.The "road" for the stitching is the chalk line, and you can use a sewing machine to do it.If you place the fabric in the sewing machine wrong-side up, your seams will be smooth on the right side.Once you've sewn the pieces together, remove the pins.
Step 12: The body of the slipcover needs to be sewed.
Taking care not to lose the pins, remove the other two pieces from the sofa.The two pieces should be joined using a sewing machine.The pins should be removed once you're done.
Step 13: The body and sides should be returned to the sofa.
The cover should fit snug and fall evenly.Pin the sides and body again.
Step 14: The sides should be sewed to the body.
The pins and chalk lines can be used to guide you.As you go, remove the pins from the seams.
Step 15: The fit of the slipcover should be checked.
The cover should be on the wrong side of the sofa.The cover needs to fit smoothly across the surfaces.If there are spots that need to be fixed, now is the time.Remove problem seams and make them straight with a seam ripper.
Step 16: The bottom of the slipcover has a hemline.
Remove the sofa cover and put it on a large work surface.You can trace the bottom with chalk, which is 1/2-1 inch from the edge.To make sure your line is straight, use a tape measure.
Step 17: The hem needs to be pinned.
Place the fabric with pins along the wrong side of the hemline.
Step 18: The hem needs to be iron.
This step makes sewing easier.
Step 19: The ends should be used for a finished look.
The machine can be used to make the hem.Make sure the stitches are holding properly when you pause from time to time.
Step 20: Try it on for size.
Carefully tuck the cover into the sofa as you turn the slipcover so the right side is facing out.