How to Make Easy Housecovers for a Sofa Loveseat

Remove the cushions from the loveseat. Make individual covers for these following any pattern style you choose.

Measure and cut fabric to piece the slipcover. Measure each area on the loveseat, add 6 inches in each direction and cut the fabric to these measurements. Lay the fabric on the loveseat, right side to the loveseat, and pin in place. The sections must be pinned securely to prevent shifting while being fitted.

Measure, cut and pin in place the back section. Measure from side to side across the back at the loveseat’s widest point and from the top to the floor.

Measure, cut and pin two arm sections. Measure from the deck (the area under the seat cushions), up and over the arm to the floor and from the back of the loveseat to the front of the arm.

Measure, cut and pin the inside back section. Measure from the left to the right of the back section, between the arms, and from the deck up to the top of the back.

Measure, cut and pin the front of the arm. If this section is curved, cut the fabric to mimic the curve, adding a 3/4-inch seam allowance all around.

Measure, cut and pin the front section. This is the piece that spans the space below and in front of the arms, across the loveseat and down toward the floor. Measure from side to side and from the floor to the intersection of the inside back and deck.

Pin the slipcover together, starting by pinning the arm sections to the front of the arm. The pins represent the stitching line. These pins rest perpendicular to the loveseat and are snug to the furniture, following the seam lines of the upholstery. Clip to the seam in curved areas. At any area where the fabric will be tucked into the frame, pin at least 4 inches away from the loveseat. Because the pins represent the stitching line, this creates the tuck ease necessary to keep the cover in place.

Mark the bottom hem placement of the cover with a fabric marking pencil.

Trim away all the excess fabric, leaving a 3/4-inch seam allowance on all seams.

Remove the cover from the loveseat. If the cover is too snug to come off easily, remove some of the pins from one side back seam. Start at the bottom of the seam and remove pins one by one until the cover comes off easily. Do not remove any pins from the rest of the cover. Take it to the machine and sew the seams together in the order they were pinned, removing the pins as they approach the feed dogs. Insert hook-and-loop tape into the seam that was opened for removal.