How to Reupholster a Sleep Sofa Cushion

Remove and Pattern the Cushion Cover

• 1

  Remove the cushion from the couch. Remove the fabric cover from the cushion. If the cushion is stuffed with foam bits or polyester stuffing, set that aside or discard, depending on its condition.

• 2

  Open the seams on the fabric cover to dismantle it into original pieces. You will be using these as pattern pieces. Sofa cushions come in two basic configurations, with some variation. One is two large rectangles attached to each other by a long piece of fabric that acts as a middle, kind of like a sandwich cookie, and the other is one long piece of fabric that forms a box, with two smaller rectangles at either side to close the box ends, much like a cereal box. The configuration of your cushion will become apparent as you dismantle it.

• 3

  Lay out the new fabric, right side down, on a flat surface.

• 4

  Place the original pieces of the cushion cover, right side down, on the new fabric. Fold the edges of the original pieces in to where the piece was seamed. Trace around the original pieces with a marking pencil or tailor's chalk.

• 5

  Cut out the new pieces, leaving 1/2 inch seam allowance on all sides.

Assembling the Cushion

• 6

  Fold over the short ends of the longest piece 1/2 inch. Press flat.

• 7

  Pin the long piece around the edges of one of the small pieces, beginning at the middle of one of the short ends of the small piece. This will be the back of the cushion.

• 8

  Stitch around the edge of the smal piece, leaving a 1/2 inch seam allowance.

• 9

  Repeat steps 2 and 3 for the other small piece.

• 10

  Trim the seam allowance and corners if necessary.

• 11

  Turn the cushion cover right side out. Press seams flat.

• 12

  Reuse the old foam or pillow stuffing from the original cushion, or cut a new piece of foam, using the old piece as a pattern. Insert the new foam into the cushion, or fill the cushion with new stuffing.

• 13

  Using very small stitches, whip stitch the opening in the cushion closed.