So you can sew? Well make a new couch cover to suit your decor today.
So you’ve got a perfectly comfortable, functional couch… it just looks awful and doesn’t fit in with your new décor .With a custom made slipcover, no one will know what evil is lurking underneath all that handmade awesomeness!
You may have even picked up couch, or chair set at a secondhand furniture store or op shop. Then create a slip cover in a colour and pattern that looks great in your room.
You will need a fair amount of fabric so try to pick up some fabric on sale or use a few discounted throws rugs. If you choose a patterned fabric you will need more than a plain one. Its good to have a little extra anyway incase you make a mistake. Then get to work.
Once you have chosen your fabric the fun bit begins.
Step 1
Measure the couch. It’s easiest if you make a diagram of the various parts you’re measuring so you can keep everything straight.
You might not need certain measurements, but when in doubt, measure it. You never know when it might come in handy.
Here are my measurements. (Don’t forget to measure both sides of the cushions!)
Step 2
Figure out how much fabric you need. This is easiest if you break each piece of the couch into a rectangle.
Instead of trying to figure out how to layout that oddly shaped back piece of my couch with the little round bumps from where the arms are,
Just do a rough measure and add extra as an estimate. Then allow for seams and shrinkage. At least an extra 8cm is good.
There are certain pieces of the slipcover that will be tucked into the couch when in place. Allow about 12cm for this.
Make a drawing of all the pieces laid out similar to the way they will be sewn together. This makes it easier to remember what pieces need tucks and where. (Black dotted lines show tucks. The white dotted line is a fold )
Measure the faces and sides of the cushions. If you want to save money, you can cover the top and sides of the cushion in your décor fabric and the underneath in a plain cheaper one.
Now that you have minimum fabric requirements for each piece of the couch, you need to figure out the total material you need.
Draw out a pattern on graph paper or use the computer. I set up a grid that was in increments around 15cm.
Here’s my fabric layout:
Figure out how much fabric you need. This is easiest if you break each piece of the couch into a rectangle.
Instead of trying to figure out how to layout that oddly shaped back piece of my couch with the little round bumps from where the arms are, do a rough measurement and add extra.
Now account for seam allowances and shrinkage. Also there are certain pieces of my slipcover that will be tucked into the couch when in place. Allow around 15cm for this.
You can save money by only using your décor fabric for the face and side of the cushions, and a cheaper one for the underside.
Here’s a diagram showing where my couch tucks. I then made a little drawing of all the pieces laid out similar to the way they will be sewn together. This made it easier for me to remember what pieces needed tucks and where. (Black dotted lines show tucks. The white dotted line is a fold.
Using graph paper or the computer plot out the pattern to follow for cutting the fabric. Now begin your sewing.