Reupholstering the Cushions on a Wooden-Framed Sofa

Measuring Fabric

• 1

  Measure the existing cushions to determine how much material you need to purchase. Find the length and width and depth of each cushion and add 1 inch to each measurement for the seams.

• 2

  Multiply the length and width measurements. Double the answer to find the square area of the top and bottom of the cushions. For instance, a 24-by-18-inch cushion needs 3 square feet for the top and 3 square feet for the bottom sections.

• 3

  Measure the perimeter of the cushion and multiply the answer by the depth, adding 1 inch to both results for the seam allowance.

• 4

  Add the total of the area around the perimeter to the previous calculations of the length and width of the cushion to find the total amount of cloth needed. Multiply this by the number of cushions.

Cutting

• 5

  Fold the cloth in half with the printed side facing in. Draw one block using the measurements for the top of the cushion, plus 1 inch on each side for the seams, on the unprinted side of the cloth with chalk and a straightedge. Since the cloth is doubled, one block will have two sections -- one for the top and one for the bottom of the cushion cover. Pin along the inside of the block and cut out. Set aside.

• 6

  Open the cloth to make a single thickness and place the printed side down. Measure out one long block for the piece of cloth that wraps around the sides of the cushion and mark with chalk. Remember to add 1 inch to each side for the seams. Cut out with scissors.

• 7

  Repeat for each of the cushions.

Sewing

• 8

  Unpin the two squares of cloth and set one aside. Place one with the printed side up on a work surface.

• 9

  Place the long side piece on top, printed side down. Line up the left edge with the outside left edge of the bottom square. Pin together 1 inch from the left side. Sew a seam 3/4 inch along the pinned edge but starting and stopping 3/4 inch in from each end. Use a sewing machine set on a medium stitch.

• 10

  Leave the needle of the sewing machine in the fabric,but lift the pressure foot to turn the cloth 90 degrees to the right. Remove the pins from the previous seam.

• 11

  Readjust the top long section of cloth to line up the outer edge with the bottom square. Lower the pressure foot. Sew a seam 3/4 inch from the left edge, stopping 3/4 inch from the end of the bottom square.

• 12

  Leave the needle of the sewing machine in the fabric but lift the pressure foot to turn the cloth 90 degrees to the right.

• 13

  Continue sewing 3/4 inch from the left edge, stopping 3/4 inch from the end of the bottom square. Turn once more, stopping where you started the first seam.

• 14

  Put the unsewn, printed side of the side section against the printed side of the unsewn square, lining up the edges. Pin together 1 inch from the side.

• 15

  Sew a hem 3/4 inch in from the left edge, starting and stopping 3/4 inch from the ends as before. Leave the needle in the fabric at the end of the seam.

• 16

  Lift the pressure foot and turn the fabric 90 degrees to the right. Adjust the cloth so that the outer edges line up on the second side. Sew another hem 3/4 inch in from the edge, stopping 3/4 inch from the end. Repeat for the next seam.

• 17

  Pull the printed ends of the side section together and sew a hem 3/4 inch from the edge.

• 18

  Trim all the loose seam threads and cut away a 1/2-inch triangle from the seam allowance on the corners.

• 19

  Turn the covering inside out and insert the cushion, matching up the corners.

• 20

  Fold the 3/4-inch seam allowance in along the open edge and slip stitch the opening shut with stitches set 1/4 inch apart from each other, using matching thread and a size 16 regular sharp point needle.