How to Drape a Sofa

Replacing a worn sofa is expensive and time-consuming. If your sofa looks old and shabby, or if you just want a fresh look in the living room, drape the sofa with an interesting fabric or two. There are a number of ways to drape a sofa, from throwing a bedspread over the whole thing and then tucking it in around the cushions to a cut-and-fit treatment that requires pressing under a few seams. One very finished look, detailed in "Thread Magazine," uses two patterns for a custom but simple sofa makeover.

2 lengths of upholstery or other fabric (for underskirt and wrap)
Tape measure
Scissors
Iron
Chalk
Dressmaker pins
Sewing machine
Decorative braid or trim (optional)
3 lengths of ¾-inch wood dowel, cut to measure

Instructions

- 1
  Measure the sofa with a tape measure from back to front at the center, starting at the bottom of the sofa, bending into the curves and ending at the bottom on the other side. Add two hem widths to this number and 12 inches extra for tucking in. Measure the length of the sofa seat from arm to arm and add two hem widths. This is the width of the center "wrap" piece. Measure the arms from the joint of sofa seat and arm, over the arm to the bottom edge of the sofa. Add one hem width and 12 inches for tuck in. You need two of these pieces. Measure the whole sofa by adding the front to back center measurement to the length -- measure from the bottom of one arm, up and over the arm, across the seat and over the opposite arm to the sofa edge. Add 24 inches for side tuck-ins to this length and two hem widths. This large measurement is the underskirt, or base.
- 2
  Select two fabric patterns. The largest piece, the base, will go under the top wrap section, so keep proportions and the completed look in mind when choosing. The wrap is composed of three separate pieces; they can be identical or a mixed pattern of unmatched vintage finds. Cut your selected fabrics to the measurements identified in Step 1.
- 3
  Drape the base over the sofa, tuck it in and trim the four corners so they no longer hang on the ground by the arms. Take the base off the sofa and run a hem all the way around the whole thing. Press the hem flat if necessary. Now put the base back on the sofa and tuck it in around the seat cushion.
- 4
  Place the center wrap section on the sofa, tuck it in and mark with chalk or pins where the side panels meet the center panel. Remove the center panel and stitch the side panels to it. Press these seams flat. Put the seamed-together wrap section on the sofa and tuck it in. Use the two shorter dowels to tuck the sides in by the arms and the long dowel for the back of the seat.
- 5
  If your fabric has a finished edge, you're done. If you want a more elaborate look, you can add trim to the side and front edges of the wrap or punch grommets into the side wrap panels and lace a decorative cord through them. The base shows through in folds at the sofa arms.

How to Wash Suede Cushions

How to Fix Ripped Leather on a Leather Couch

Couches