Reupholstering a Removable Couch Cushion

Spend a weekend replacing cushion covers.

Couch cushions may suffer a multitude of abuses from kids and pets and often show wear before the rest of the couch. Rather than replacing an entire couch, make new slip covers for the cushions. If you can sew straight lines, you can sew slip cushion covers. When selecting fabrics, choose fabric identical to the couch, or at least complementary. Another option is to make new slipcovers for the cushions, as well as slipcovers for the frame of the couch. When finished, you'll have what looks like a new piece of furniture.

Things You'll Need

• Seam ripper
• Pins
• Scissors
• Sewing machine
• Iron

Instructions

1. Look on the back of the cushions for a zipper. Unzip the slip cover and remove it from the cushion. Turn the slip cover inside out and use a seam ripper to gently remove the seams. When the pieces are completely disassembled, you'll have a pattern for your new slip covers.

2. Lay the fabric out with right sides together. Place the pattern pieces on the fabric, ensuring that florals and stripes run the right way. Pin the pattern pieces in place. Cut the fabric out, using the patterns as a guide. Remove the patterns from the slip cover pieces.

3. Sew the slip cover pieces, placing right sides together. Reuse the zipper that came from the original cushion if it is in good condition; otherwise, buy a new one. Install it by fitting it into the panel on the back part of the slip cover. Use a zipper pedal to sew it in snugly into place.

4. Clip the corners of the slip covers with scissors so they lie flat. Iron the seams open. Turn the slip covers right side out. Slide the cushions into the slip covers and zip the covers shut. Replace the cushions on the couch.

Tips & Warnings

• Consider buying a washable fabric if you have active kids or pets. When the covers get dirty, remove and launder them. Wash these fabrics before cutting them out to pre-shrink them.

• Sewing patterned fabrics takes skill to ensure that patterns match up at seam edges. Select solid fabrics for simpler sewing.

• Add rope trim for a decorative touch and to make the edges more durable. Cut the fabric on a bias to make a strip 3-inches wide by several feet long, depending on your couch. Wrap the fabric around the rope edging and sew a hem along the edge of the rope to secure the fabric tightly. Pin the trim into place when you place right sides of fabric together. Sew the trim securely as you sew the slip cover pieces together.

• Use upholstery needles for heavy-weight fabrics.

• When making a new slipcover for the entire couch, use a similar approach. Make a pattern by pinning muslin into place over the couch. Cut the muslin into pattern pieces and sew them together. Make openings or pleats at the bottom of the slip cover to allow it to fit over the frame of the couch. Tuck the fabric into the couch frame tightly to make a tailored look.

References

• Sew It Yourself Home Decor: Karen Coetzee, et al.
• Decorating Projects You Can Make: Amy Tincher-Durik

Resources

• CBS News: Remove Stains the Real Simple Way