How to Slip Cover a Couch

Steps to Cut and Assemble

• 1

  Measure the height of your couch at its highest point and double this number. Measure the width of the sofa at its widest point and multiply this number by four. Add these two measurements together and divide by 36 to get a linear yardage. You will be safe by doubling this yardage in a standard 54-inch fabric for a slipcover, especially if you intend to use piping or will use a repeating pattern. You can use excess fabric for throw pillows and arm protectors

• 2

  Begin by fitting the fabric, wrong-side up, on the front of the arms. Mark the shape plus a seam allowance of one inch with chalk, and cut out the fabric. Next, fit the fabric, wrong side up, over the roll of the arm and pin it to the front piece shape you just cut, allowing a one-inch seam allowance to be trimmed later. Cut it an inch below the arm roll on the outside, and pull the fabric smooth toward the back of the arm. Create tiny pleats of the fabric at the end and hand tack into place, again allowing a generous seam allowance to connect to the back and sides of the slipcover. Repeat this process on the opposite arm, making sure you work with your fabric wrong-side up.

• 3

  Measure and attach side panels from the arm roll and the front of the arms to the floor, allowing a one-inch seam allowance at the back of the panel, and a three-inch turned hem allowance. You will insert Velcro or zippers at the back edge of these panels where they join the sofa back.

• 4

  Create the back section of the slipcover by dividing the entire width into two or three panels. Make each panel the width of the back and seat cushions. Allow for a three-inch turned hem, and seam these panels together. Stretch the entire piece from the floor up over the couch back and down to the seat. Depending on the style of the couch, you may want to interrupt the flow of fabric with a boxed rectangular strip along the sides and top of the back. To do this, cut it at the top, allowing an inch for seam allowances, and attach to the back edge of the rectangular strip and down its sides.

• 5

  Re-attach the long back panel to the front edge of the rectangular strip, lining up the cushion panel seams as they appear across from each other on the rectangular strip, and continue to stretch the fabric down to the front seat area. Attach the sides of the back panel to the front edges of the rectangular strip, if you used one, and then to the arm roll bases and the inside edges of the arm front pieces. Allow three inches to tuck the panel fabric tightly into the upholstery frame along the sides and back of the couch. Continue the fabric forward to the floor, and allow for a three- inch turned hem.

• 6

  Create removable cushion covers by tracing the cushion shapes on the wrong side of the slipcover fabric and adding one inch on each edge for a seam allowance. Cut two copies of each cushion shape. Create the boxed edges by cutting a long rectangle to encircle the cushion, about three to four inches wide, depending on the depth of the cushion. Insert a zipper or a Velcro opening in this rectangle along the back edge of each cushion. This zipper or Velcro opening will wrap around the back corners three to four inches on each side to allow for easy removal and cleaning. Pin the cushion tops and bottoms to the rectangular strip.

• 7

  Hand or machine baste all seams together and remove the pins. If you plan to use piping, insert piping and pin into place before completing this step. Turn the basted slipcover right-side out, and gently fit to the couch. Make any adjustments before completing the final stitching. Stitch carefully, using a medium size stitch and a heavy-duty needle and presser foot. Trim all curves and seam allowances to remove bulk and facilitate a smooth fit. The slipcover is complete and ready for installation.