How Much Fabric Is Needed for a Sofa Slipcover?

Slipcovers give sofas a facelift, cover stains or hide wear and tear, and transform your old, tired couch into a more glamorous version of itself. Adding a slipcover is usually much less expensive than buying a new sofa. Determining how much fabric you'll need to make a slipcover is just part of the challenge. Use these tips to determine what kind of fabric you want and how much to buy.

Slipcover styles

There are many slipcover styles. The style you choose will determine how much fabric you need. You can make a slipcover for the frame of your couch and separate covers for each couch cushion or a single slipcover that drapes the entire sofa. A slipcover can fit loosely for a more comfortable, casual feel or tightly for a sharp, formal look.

Sofa dimensions

Sofas come in all shapes and sizes, so measuring is important. Measure the dimensions of all of the couch's surfaces. Measure the height, width and length of the back of the couch, the arms, the cushions (if you're covering them separately) and the front. If your couch has curves rather than straight lines, measure the couch at its widest parts. A yard is 36 inches, so divide the inches of the fabric you'll need by 36 to determine the yardage.

Other Considerations

When calculating the amount of fabric you'll need for your slipcover, add three inches for seam allowances. Upholstery fabric is 54 inches wide--wider than other fabrics. If you choose to use regular fabric (usually 44 inches wide), you will need to buy more than if you are buying upholstery fabric. Also buy extra fabric if you use a pattern that will need to be aligned, like stripes. If you are covering the couch and cushions separately, you can use muslin or even an old sheet to cover the part of the couch beneath the cushions that can't be seen. If you plan to cover matching accent pillows, measure these as well. Remember, it never hurts to have a little extra fabric, but having too little may prevent you from finishing your project.

Fabric

You probably know what style of fabric you want. Maybe you want a color that will match your new curtains and the paint job on your walls. The type of fabric you choose is as important as the style. Consider the amount of use your furniture gets when you choose fabric. Silk is a beautiful, luxurious fabric but it does not stand up to wear and is better suited for decorative pieces. For furniture that you spend a lot of time on, consider a more durable fabric such as polyester. Crumple a corner of the fabric in your hands while you shop. If it holds wrinkles, it will wrinkle on your couch too. Consider the print on the fabric. Lines need to run all in the same direction, which may require more work and more fabric.

Price

You may have to pay more for a durable fabric. If you are considering buying a less durable fabric to save money, consider how long you hope to keep your slipcover. Are you willing to make another slipcover a year from now if the first one doesn't last? Ask at the fabric store if they will be having any sales or discounts in the near future. Also consider that a pre-made slipcover may be less expensive than a homemade one. You'll have to measure your sofa before buying a pre-made slipcover as well.