A slipcover for your sofa is one excellent option, especially if your sofa is not in the right condition. With a slipcover, you can clean your couch with ease, which seems like an affordable option. You can find various slipcovers in many stores, but they may not fit perfectly; thus, it would help if you make yours. You can use this guide on how to make a slipcover for a sofa and get started.
The extraordinary appearance of slipcovers on sofas can also improve the aesthetics of your home and office. Your leather sofa for the living room may look great, but it would have a better appearance with an excellent slipcover.
The process of getting a great slipcover made for your sofa can be relatively straightforward. However, you must first contact the right materials and make precise cuts according to your measurements. Thus, there is a need for a great deal of attention to get everything right as you make fitted slipcovers.
How to Make a Slipcover for a Sofa: Step By Step Guide
Using a slipcover on your sofa can help revive older furniture’s look and make newer ones last longer. While you wait to recondition your leather couch, you can make use of a slipcover to keep out that terrible look.
To clean a leather couch and even those made of non-leather materials can be quite challenging; thus, it would help if you use slipcovers. Making your slipcovers for the sofa can save you cost and help you get the right fit. Therefore, you can follow the steps below on how to make sofa covers from sheets.
Knowing the Size of Material
With the right measurements, you can tell how much material you need to make the slipcovers. Since fabrics are sold in a lengthwise size (yards), knowing how much materials you need would be simple.
Please note that the standard widths range from 32 inches to 60 inches. Basically, you would need 16 yards of material for a traditional 2-cushion sofa. You can also seek assistance from the salesperson at the fabric store, as they are familiar with these measurements.
Purchasing the Material
Materials for slipcovers are sold in various stores, both online and in neighboring fabric stores. Select a fabric with excellent quality and try to choose those with solid colors. Materials with many drapes work better; thus, you should consider them.
Prepare the Material
Get started with washing and drying the material; washing would help make the fabric softer and bring out the slipcover’s beauty. After washing, however, you must ensure that the material does not shrink.
If there are any traces of wrinkles, it will help if you smoothen it out. You can press it quickly with an iron. Please note that you must follow the directions for handling the material. If they don’t require much heat, then don’t press them.
Getting your Measurements
You have to measure your sofa from all sides to get the measurement right. Right from the floor at one end, measure up to the arm. Cross over, extending the tape to the other end of the couch. Then, measure from the arm down to the floor at that end. Then, extend your measurements by adding an extra 6 inches to be on the safer side. This measurement equals the length of the fabric needed for this project.
Create a Suitable Pattern
Several sofa cover design ideas and patterns, but beginners can get started using “simplicity slipcover patterns” that conform to the couch’s shape. To get the right design, drape the couch with the slipcover material, turning the right side down. With the wrong side up, start tracing the design using tailoring chalk.
The chalk markings are the places you would cut for the pattern. Your markings should cover the seating area and the back of the couch, then move forward to the armrests. Using muslin or paper, cut a size having the same measurement as your armrest. Pin it to the arm fronts and trace the outline using chalk. Cut the pattern out using a pair of scissors moving through the design.
Start Sewing
Place the marked fabric on a large piece of material for the slipcover. Then, start cutting the sections to make the slipcover, moving through the chalk marks. As you cut, provide an additional space of 1 inch to serve as the seam allowance for the slipcover hemming.
You have to flip over the pattern fabric for asymmetrical arm fronts before you start making new tracing on the second one. Pin the pieces of the slipcover material together after laying them on the wrong side out.
Remove the sections bit by bit, starting from the armrest before moving to the couch’s body and sides. Then, start sewing with your machine, stitching through the chalk lines. Unpin the materials after sewing the fabric.
Move further by joining the body and sides, sewing the sections together. However, you may want to try it out on the sofa, ensuring it fits before rejoining. Conduct the final fitting, placing it back on the couch and make sure the seams come out straight.
Trace and smoothen the hemline and sew appropriately in making the hem. Finally, turn the sewn slipcover to the right side and place it on your couch, tucking it in place.
Tips for Making Great Slipcovers for Sofas
Here are some excellent tips on how to make a slipcover for a cushion with ease.
- Unlike reupholstering, slipcovers need more materials; thus, adding extra inches after measurements is necessary.
- Choosing the right material for slipcovers can be challenging, but muslin creates a simple look and softer feel.
- Some other common slipcover materials include denim, damask, and velvet, and they can also create a great appearance.
- Ensure you don’t cut the pieces close to the chalk marks; keep some space, making it larger than you may need.
FAQs
How do you make a slipcover for a couch?
Making slipcovers for a couch can be relatively easy, as you only have to pick the right material for the task and get started with the measurements. In sewing a slipcover, you may be needing more materials than those used in the reupholstering. Thus, you have to take the couch’s right measurements from side to side and add some extra inches.
Continue with the process by making an excellent pattern for the slipcover. At this point, you can determine if you want to create a tight fit or a very loose slipcover. Then, start making marks with chalks as you drape the material over the couch.
How many yards of fabric do I need for a sofa slipcover?
The yards of fabric needed for making a slipcover for your couch is not fixed, as it is dependent on the size of the sofa. However, a general measurement states that 12 yards fabric can make a slipcover for two cushions measuring 6 feet long.
But, this fabric measurement should be excess instead of being less. Also, note that these fabrics come with varying width; thus, it would help if you speak to an expert at the fabric store.
What is the best fabric for a sofa cover?
You can make slipcovers from various kinds of materials such as cotton, linen, wool, polyester, and spandex. These materials also have varying textures, and you can choose the one you desire the most. For frequently used sofas, it would be best if you invest in quality and durable cotton materials.
Highly fitted slipcovers can come in material with cotton and spandex blending. Furthermore, slipcovers with dark colors are better since they can help keep stains hidden and keep your couch protected.
Can you put a slipcover on any couch?
Almost all sofa can easily use a slipcover, as you quickly place them over and fit them in place. However, some others come with shapes that make it difficult to cover with a slipcover. Camelback chairs and recliners are commonly not slipcovered, as the overall body of these chairs makes it very challenging. However, you can reupholster such chairs to bring out their remarkable appearance.
Is it hard to make a slipcover?
No. the process of making a slipcover can be easy but requires some level of precision. You just have to get your sewing kits together and get the right slipcover material for an attractive appearance.
Making cuts and stitching can be challenging, especially if you have no knowledge of sewing. Thus, it would help if you learn the process thoroughly. You can watch a suitable video on how to make a tailored slipcover to gain more insights.
How do I calculate how much fabric I need?
Measure the couch’s height, placing the tape and measuring from the floor at one end, measure up to the arm. Then, cross over, extending the measuring tape to the other end of the couch. Then, measure from the arm down to the floor at that end.
Add 6 inches to your measurements to ensure you are on the safer side. This measurement equals the length of the fabric needed for this project. However, you can seek help from fabric stores or simply ask craftsmen for their advice to get it right.
Final Words
Making slipcovers for sofas can be very interesting, as you create excellent protection for your couch and a great overall appearance. To reupholster a leather sofa is a great idea, but you can also consider a slipcover to keep the couch protected.
Getting a custom slipcover can be expensive, and you may not get a slipcover that fits the couch right. Are you keen on knowing how to make a sofa cover fit? It will help if you make your own slipcover, which is also a cost-effective option. Hence, you should learn how to make a slipcover for a sofa to create a suitable covering for the couch.