DIY Slipcovers for a Boxy Sofa

A slipcover can give a tired old sofa a new lease on life. Hide stains, give your living room a new look or simply make clean-up easier with a DIY slipcover. While you can buy ready-made slipcovers, these aren't designed for your couch and may not stay in place, fit well or look good. Making your own provides a custom fit for your couch at a ready-to-wear price.

Cloth tape measure
Fabric marker
54-inch wide decorator fabric, 14 to 22 yards
Sewing machine
Coordinating thread

Instructions

- 1
  Measure the length and width of each section of your couch with a cloth tape measure. Take measurements of the inside and outside of the back and arms, as well as the length and width of the seat and front surfaces of the sofa. These measurements will form the pattern for your sofa slipcover.
- 2
  Add 1 1/2 inches to your measurements on each side for seam allowances, as well as an additional 6- nches in depth for the seat cushion and 12 inches on each side to tuck in between the seat and arms of your sofa.
- 3
  Draw a scale pattern for your slipcover on graph paper, including the seat, inner back, outer back, skirt or gusset and arms. Allow 1 inch on the graph paper to represent 4 inches for an easy to use pattern.
- 4
  Cut out your graph paper pattern. Arrange the pieces to determine the best cutting layout for your slipcover.
- 5
  Measure and cut each piece of your slipcover from your decorator fabric. Use a disappearing fabric marker to label the wrong side of each piece.
- 6
  Sew the pieces with the right sides or outsides of the fabric together on a sewing machine, using a short stitch length. Finish the seam edges with a zigzag stitch on your sewing machine.
- 7
  Work the slipcover over your couch and into place. Expect a tight fit. Tuck the excess length into the seat back and sides to secure the slipcover.

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