How to Make a Couch Cushion Cover Using a Fitted Sheet

Sewing the cushion cover

To change an old couch cushion's look or make it look new again, you can make your own cover by using a fitted sheet. This is a crafty and economical way to give your furniture, and your room, a makeover. Once you understand the process, you can make as many as you like or change designs easily to suit your moods or needs.

Things You'll Need

• Fitted sheet
• measuring tape
• large paper, such as butcher paper
• pen
• scissors
• needle and thread
• pins
• closure (zipper, Velcro, buttons or snaps)

Instructions

Making the Cover

1. Lay the cushion flat and trace its outline onto a large piece of paper. Add a 1/4 inch to each side to allow for the seams. Measure the height and width of the sides of the cushion, adding another 1/4 inch to each side, and draw out three of the four sides separately on more paper. For the side that will have the closure, cut the width measurement in half so you have two long, skinny pieces, instead of one. Add 1/4 inch for the seams on the three sides that will be sewn to the rest of the cushion. Do this to both pieces. Add 1 inch to the side on which you will secure the closures for both pieces. Draw these two pieces out on your paper.

2. Cut out the pieces of paper onto which you traced your pattern. Lay them flat on your fitted sheet and pin them in place to secure. Cut out two pieces of the traced cushion for the cover's top and bottom. Remember to make sure the pieces lay clean on top of one another, with the design side of the fabric facing up on top and down on the bottom. Cut the other five pieces for the sides in the same manner.

3. Sew the ends of the three non-closure pieces together. Then sew those pieces to the matching sides of the bottom of the cushion cover. Make sure the seams of the pieces line up with the corners of the bottom. Repeat this by sewing the top of the cover to the other side.

4. For the two pieces that will have the closures, fold the side that will have the closures attached, making a 1/4-inch hem for each side. When these are attached to the cushion, there will be fabric overlapping to hide the closures. Sew your preferred choice of closure to both sides so that when they are joined, the hem of the fabric hides them. Keeping the two pieces attached to form one piece, sew them onto the remaining side of the cushion, as you did the other three.

Tips & Warnings

• An alternative method of creating a new cushion cover is to study the seams and pattern of your existing cushion cover and try to copy them.

References

• sew your own cushion cover
• cutting and sewing basics