Things You'll Need:
- Sewer's tape measure
- Graph paper
- Scissors
-
Step 1
Measure the inner back (the part you lean on) from the seat cushion, up and over the top to where it meets the outer back (the part of the furniture that might be against the wall). Add 6 inches to the bottom of the inner back measurement for extra fabric to tuck in. If adding a skirt, measure the perimeter of the furniture at the base and the height of the skirt (bottom of chair to floor). Add extra inches to the skirt measurement if using pleats. Measure the front, from the base of furniture, across the deck (where the seat cushion rests), adding 6 inches on the sides and back of the deck measurement. Measure the outer back from where it meets the inner back, down to the base of the furniture.
-
Step 2
Measure the inside arm (and wing) from the seat deck, up and over the arm to the underside of the arm. Add 6 inches to the bottom of the measurement for extra fabric to tuck in. Measure the width and height of the seat cushion. Measure the outer arm (and wing), from the underside of the arm to the base of the chair. Measure the width and height of the arm front. Measure the seat cushion width and depth. Measure the seat cushion height, and write down dimensions for the sides for height and depth, as well as height and width.
-
Step 3
Create a scale outline on graph paper of each of the items measured, remembering to add at least a 1 inch seam allowance around all pieces (increasing both the width and the length by two inches).
-
Step 4
Cut out one item for each measurement taken in Step 1.
-
Step 5
Cut out two items for each measurement taken in Step 2. Remember to make four cut-outs for cushion sides (two for front and back, and two from each side).
-
Step 6
Lay the cutouts on a piece on graph paper side-by-side. Imagine the graph paper as a bolt of fabric, so as you position the cut-outs, consider the nap of the fabric. Upholstery fabric is typically 54 inches or 60 inches wide, so do not exceed those widths as you maneuver the pieces on the paper lengthwise. You may want to try both widths so you are prepared for either option when you start shopping for fabric.
-
Step 7
Allow the pieces to go off the graph paper if you have more pieces than will fit on one sheet, or you can tape multiple pieces of graph paper together to accommodate all your pieces.
-
Step 8
Measure the length of your strip of cut-outs once you have positioned all the pieces. Check your scale to determine the length of fabric needed.
