How to Make Sofa Cushion Covers

Cushion covers upholstered in a different pattern than the rest of the sofa can prevent sofa slipcovers from moving around, and give a custom look.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Butcher paper
• Tape measure
• Old sheet
• Thread
• Pins
• Long zipper
• Medium to heavy weight fabric
• Sewing machine with zipper foot.
• Optional: Piping

1. Place a sofa cushion on top of butcher paper and trace to create your pattern.

2. Measure the dimensions of the cushion and write them on your traced pattern shape.

3. Add 5/8 inch seam allowance to your pattern.

4. Decide where you will insert the zipper and mark it on the pattern.

5. Decide if you would like to add piping or another embellishment to your cushion covers. If so, measure the circumference of your cushions and add that measurement to your pattern.

6. Add one third, to two thirds to the width of your side pattern pieces if you would like to add gathers.

7. Cut out your pattern pieces from the old sheet. Transfer the markings for the zipper placement.

8. Place your fabric pieces cut from the old sheet on your cushions and pin fit. Make any necessary pattern adjustments.

9. Estimate yardage, and cut out pattern pieces from your upholstery fabric.

10. Gather side pieces now. (Optional)

11. Insert the zipper.

12. If you are going to add piping, baste it in place now.

13. Open the zipper slightly so that you can turn your fabric through it. Construct the rest of the pieces. Be careful not to stitch onto any piping, or nearby fabric pieces, staying only to the seams.

14. Turn cushion cover right side out through the zipper and insert the cushion. If you are satisfied with the fit, remove cushion and trim inner seams. If you need to make adjustments do it now. Then replace cushion.

15. Repeat steps 10-14 for each cushion.

Tips & Warnings

• Zipper should be approximately two inches shorter than the width of your cushion.
• Gathering the sides of the cushion cover will help to hide flaws in the furniture, fabric and stitching.
• Heavy weight decorator fabric can be expensive. Make a test cushion cover with a sheet to avoid costly mistakes.

Resources

• Tutorial - How to Make Piping for Upholstery
• How to Sew Piping to Upholstery Fabric
• Zipper How To

[boatst]

on 9/15/2009 Good instructions. good how to article

[Smireles]

on 3/16/2009 Excellent instructions. 5*