How to Make a Slip Cover for an Old Loveseat

Measure your sofa in two areas. Measure the back of the sofa from the bottom to the top edge to measure the height. Multiply this number by two. Stand at either arm of the sofa and measure the distance from the outside edge of one arm all the way across to the outer edge of the other arm. This is the width of the sofa. Multiply this number by four. Add the two numbers together. Divide the total by 36 to establish how many yards of fabric you will need to purchase to cover the sofa.

Fit your fabric over the sofa. Unroll the fabric and completely cover the sofa. Move the fabric around so that on all sides touching the ground you have at least 2 inches of hanging fabric. Tuck the fabric down into the cushions. Try to maintain the shape of the sofa, ensuring that fabric still hangs over the sofa uniformly and covers the front, back and sides. Smooth the fabric when done. Step back to look at the love seat. It should be completely covered and tucked in with at least 2 inches of overhang.

Pull some of the fabric out of the corners of the arms and cushions. Use this new looseness in the cover to make pleats in the slip on. Working with each section, pull the fabric and fold over about an inch to make a pleat. Take either stick pins or needle and thread and secure the pleats. If you choose to use the more permanent option of needle and thread, secure the pleats making sure the thread is lined up with the edges and cushions and that the thread color matches the fabric.

Move around the sofa and cut all overhang areas until they are no longer 2 to 3 inches. Remove the sofa liner and place on a desk or floor. Carefully work your way around the edges of the cover. As you work on each segment, fold the 2 to 3 inches of overhang around the bottom of the sofa in half, making about 1 inch of material. Take your needle and thread and carefully hem the bottom edges. If you have pleats with stick pins in them, take this time to sew them permanently in place.

Place the finished slip cover back over the sofa. Tuck the fabric back down into the seat cushions and smooth out all edges. If you are concerned that the fabric will move around and become loose, place a few stick pins as anchors. To do this, hold the stick pin and reach deep into the crevice of the cushion and place it. For safety, do not place any pins near the edges of the sofa where guests may be sitting.