How to Make Slipcovers for a Sectional Sofa

Sectional sofas can often look dated and worn after a few years of use, prompting owners to look for alternate fabric options. Some may choose to have a sectional sofa reupholstered, which is expensive but will look the most professional. As a cheaper alternative, others will opt for slipcovers, which can be washed and replaced more easily than upholstery. However, ready-made slipcovers for sectional sofas are in short supply and custom slipcover orders can be pricey. To save the largest amount of money, you can make your own custom slipcover tailored to your sectional sofa.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring tape
• Pencil and paper
• Large paper roll
• Scissors
• Pins
• Marker
• Muslin fabric
• Fabric pencil
• Needle
• Basting thread
• Sofa upholstery fabric
• Thread
• Sewing machine
• Iron
• Ironing board

Instructions

Prepare the Sofa Pattern

1. Remove all pillows from your sofa. Set any reclining portions of the sofa into the reclined position.

2. Identify each individual part of the upholstery and where each is joined to the others by seams. Take the general height and width measurements of each of these pieces, and mark them down on a sheet of paper.

3. Cut large rectangles of paper for each piece of the sofa that are slightly larger than your general measurements. Pin the back and side pieces to the sofa, using straight pins.

4. Trace along the seamlines of each part, on top of the paper, to get a more accurate shape. If you have any curves to follow, clip the edges of the paper, then overlap them back together to create a dart effect.

5. Repeat Steps 3 and 4 on all other parts of the sofa, removing the other paper pieces as you go so that they do not get in the way. Cut along the drawn lines to get a general paper pattern for each sectional sofa piece. Make sure that you leave extra paper at the edges of the armrests and middle sections that can be tucked into the creases.

6. Transfer the paper patterns to muslin fabric, tracing 2 inches away from the outside edges of the paper to create seam allowances. Cut the muslin test pieces along these lines, then label each piece with a fabric pencil.

Adjust the Sofa Pattern Fit

1. Pin the back pieces of muslin to the back of the sectional sofa. Pin the seam allowances and darts together. Smooth out the wrinkles and push them into the seam allowances and darts. Make sure that the pinned seamlines match up with the seams on the sofa.

2. Hand baste the seamlines together. Pin the side and armrest pieces to the sides of the sofa, and repeat the process on these, attaching them to the back pieces.

3. Unpin the fabric and turn it inside out. Place the fabric over the sectional sofa, lining up the seams, and pin it down to test the fit. Make any necessary adjustments, then turn it inside out again and place it on the sofa.

4. Pin the middle muslin sections to the sofa. Pin the seamlines together and tuck the fabric into the creases. Smooth all wrinkles into the seam allowances and hem. If necessary, clip the fabric for ease or create darts. Hand baste the seams.

5. Turn the whole slipcover inside out and test the fit. Make adjustments until you are satisfied with the way the muslin fits your sectional sofa. Turn the hem under and note the width of the hem allowance.

Sew the Sofa Slipcover Together

1. Trim the seam allowances to 1 inch. Trace over all the basting lines with a fabric pencil, including the darts. Take out the basting stitches.

2. Lay the muslin pieces onto your upholstery fabric. Cut one of each piece and transfer all markings to the wrong side of the fabric.

3. Sew the darts on your sewing machine and press them. Sew the sofa pieces together as before, this time on the machine. Press all seam allowances and clip them at the corners for ease.

4. Fold under the hem allowance and sew it in place. Press the hem flat.

5. Turn the slipcover right side out and place it over your sectional sofa, matching all the seams.

Tips & Warnings

• If you end up with any awkward bunching sections or excess fabric that will not stay in place, you have a few options. You can either undo the seam in that area and readjust, or you can fold the extra fabric down neatly and slipstitch it to the top of the slipcover.

• If any parts of the slipcover do not want to stay in place, you can always pin them down using spiral upholstery pins. Make sure you are not putting pins in any place where people will sit, however.

References

• "Window Treatments and Slipcovers for Dummies"; Mark Montano and Carly Sommerstein; 2006
• "Slipcover Style: Easy-To-Make Covers for Chairs, Sofas, Beds, and Tables"; Alison Wormleighton; 2003
• "Sewing Simple Slipcovers: Stylish New Looks for Every Room"; Tracy Munn; 2002

Resources

• Pink and Polkadot: Slipcover Tutorial