Rather than throwing out worn sheets, learn how to transform them into cozy, tailored sofa covers. With basic sewing skills and some inexpensive supplies, you can create homemade covers that fit your furniture perfectly while saving money over store-bought versions.
Whether modern sleek designs or charming prints, upcycled sheet covers can add personality to any living space. This simple but practical guide will lead you to a professional process to make sofa covers from sheets.
Choosing The Right Fabric To Make Sofa Covers From Sheets
Condition Of Fabric
Start with flat or fitted cotton sheets in good condition. Avoid thin, poor-quality weaves that may shred or pill with heavy use as sofa covers. Twin sheets work well for loveseats while full or queen sizes suit most sofas. When choosing prints, consider your room’s existing color palette and style. Solid colors blend easily too.
Choose Lively Prints
The first step is selecting your sheet fabrics to make sofa covers from sheets. Get creative – look beyond plain solids and stripes. Vintage florals, plaids and lively prints will add personality. Explore thrift stores, fabric shops or your own linen closet for material. Factor in fiber composition too – cotton is a durable, breathable choice.
Clean And Spotless
Sheets with bare minimum stains can often still be lightened out. When choosing your sheet fabrics, go through what you’ve got collecting dust in the linen closet. Vintage floral or colorful comics could look totally rad on the couch! Just spot-clean any stains so they don’t show through.
Prepare The Fabric
Proper preparation ensures your fabric cuts, sews and wears beautifully. Wash and dry sheets to eliminate shrinkage issues later. Steam or iron out wrinkles. Mark measurements directly onto the fabric using the air-erasable pen for smooth cutting.
Prevent Raveling
Trim away tags and stains with pinking shears to prevent raveling. Cut parallel to the fabric grain for best hang and reinforcement. Leave ample width for 1/2-1″ hems. Preshrink any additional trims or accent fabrics in the same manner.
Cutting and Sewing
Take Proper Measurements
Measure your sofa dimensions properly, also measure arm widths. Cut sheet pieces slightly larger for a tailored fit. Hem all raw edges to prevent fraying. For a basic slipcover, cut a single piece for the seat/back portion, overlapping the front and back panels. Alternately, cut separate front, back and side pieces for a more fitted look.
Be Patient With Curves
For the cuts, take accurate measurements and add a few inches so it’s a nice, fitted look without being too tight. You can always hem it back later if it’s roomy. Cutting curves takes some practice but goes faster with lots of pins.
Proper Seam Allowance
Sew side seams using a 1/2-inch seam allowance. For rounded arms, ease corners in gently as you sew. Finish by topstitching the seams for reinforcement and a polished look. Some prefer French seams inside for a cleaner finish. Add elastic or cording if desired in the hem to keep the cover hugged snugly around the piece.
Choose The Right Stitch
For assembly, a basic straight stitch does the trick. French seams finish it professionally but you can always under-stitch the hem later if it’s peeking. Elastic or cord gives it that gathered look at the bottom too. With a little trial and error, you’ll be a pro in no time. Making your own is so satisfying and saves big bucks versus the stores. Plus now your sheet rejects have a new lease on couch life!
Closure Options for Preparing Sofa Covers From Sheets
Be Creative
Closures are where you get creative – zippers are simple but Velcro is easy for on and off. Snap tape is fun for a rustic vibe. You could even tie the two sides like a purse! Creative closures allow easy on/off for cleaning. Basic slipcovers slip on like a pillowcase. For upholstered pieces, consider:
Invisible Zippers
Sew zippers alongside and/or rear seams hidden under an overlooked flap. Use spray adhesive to attach zipper tape before sewing. This technique will lead you to an invisible closure for your sofa cover. You can keep it save from your pets and naughty toddlers to rip it.
Overlapping Tabs
Sew Velcro, snaps or strapping tabs along one arm, directing to the opposite side for attachment. This will create a closure that will last long and will be seamless. These overlapping tabs can add a sense of modern closure to your cover.
Buttonholes
Sew a line of buttonholes along the rear and matching buttons on the overlapping front piece. A perfect decorative for classic sofa cover and those with minimalistic designs. You can add floral touch too!
Envelope Closure
Fold the back panel under itself and sew at the sides and bottom, leaving the center open for inserting cushions. Don’t sweat imperfections. Charm comes from the handmade. This project is all about creative problem-solving and enjoying the process. Your couch will thank you!
Add Some Decorating Details
Piping
Piping is the thin lining of fabric that you are going to match with your cover to make it shine more. It adds aesthetics and design to the fabric. Run piping or ribbon along seams for definition using cord or bias tape. Hand or machine stitch in place.
Pleats & Welting
These can add a modern & classic touch to your sofa cover, depending on what style of pleats do you choose? Add shape with box or knife edge pleats sewn into the front panels. You can add laces on the front too! An upholstery trim that you should add to make the ends more tailored and seamless. Cover bias binding or cord with the sheet fabric for a tailored welt trim along arms and seat edges.
Contrast Fabric Panels
This is the most creative thing you can experience while making sofa covers from sheets. Play with colors and patterns creatively to add fabric panels. Piece in scrap fabrics at the lower back, arms or welting areas for pops of pattern.
Patch Pockets
Pockets are most classic items on upholstery. They serve the purpose of saving items like remote controls and mini decoration pieces to create aesthetics! Also they look good obviously. Sew Square or welt pockets onto the front using cotton duck or woven cotton remnants.
Adding Cushion Inserts
Fully upholstered covers require fitted cushion inserts. DIY foam inserts using pieces cut slightly wider than cushion dimensions, then wrapped tightly in fabric and stitched or stapled closed on all sides. For pieces without removable covers, insert cushions for shape before attaching the slipcover.
Finishing Touches
Get Rid Of Wrinkles
Before attaching your cover, iron out any remaining wrinkles. For loose backing cushions, sew ties at the corners to secure inside the cover. Test the full fit and adjust as needed. Attach gimp cord or piping inside welting areas for definition. Finally, protect against dirt and spills with an optional furniture protector slipcover over top.
Matching Drapes
Customize further by matching drapery or pillow shams from remnant fabric. The cozy, inviting result feels professionally upholstered without the cost. With practice, skill and creativity blossoms and DIY covers become a joy to design. Most importantly, upcycled sheet fabrics breathe new life into well-loved pieces sustainably.
Personalize The Finish
Personalize it with some texture. Use scraps for patch pockets, or fabric-wrapped buttons, or trim the seams in ribbon, the options are endless! Pleats make any style look polished too. Once stuffed, don’t forget to add ties inside so the backs don’t slide around like a dog toy stuffed with popcorn. You’re all set to protect your couch in a comfy, handmade style!
Speaking of Fun to Make Sofa Covers from Sheets
Do Not Stress The Imperfections
Once stuffed, remember to tie the backs so the filling doesn’t go migrating like an escaped marshmallow. Ta-da, new couch costume on a budget! No need to stress imperfections – that’s what gives homemade its charm. Enjoy the process of sprucing up old sheets into something cozy for your couch fame!
Patch Work Is Better
When picking your fabrics, don’t be afraid to mix prints, colors or textures, eclectic is in! Throw in that old tablecloth too if you like the pattern. The more Patchwork-inspired the better.
Go For Lived In Look
No need to stress about perfectly straight seams. A comfy, lived-in look is better than fussy neatness anyway. Just pintail your fingers bleed and don’t be afraid to adjust as you go. For tricky curves, go slow and remember – it’s fabric, not wood. Ease that elastic or cord in gently and you’ll be surprised how forgiving it can be.
Customization
Customization is where the fun really happens. Extra pockets mean more snacks within reach! Mix up patch placements for asymmetrical charm. Buttons, ribbon, whatever sparks joy for you to make sofa covers from sheets.
Fake Welt
I like to add a fake welt trim using bias tape just for the layered texture. Or pleat the heck out of it with whatever method works best. Once stuffed, tie those backs up like Christmas presents so your filling doesn’t wander off over time. Then relax on your handiwork!
Adding the Perfect Closure
Zippers provide a tidy, discreet closure option. Cut strips slightly wider than zipper length and adhere teeth along one edge using spray adhesive. Sew approximately 1/8” away for durability. Velcro rolls or snaps also work well.
Distance For Secure Stitch
Hand stitch or use snap pliers according to manufacturer instructions. Position pieces every 4-6” for secure closure. Finish triangle tails if preferred. For decorative closures, cut buttonholes along one rear edge at desired intervals. Matching buttons on the overlapping front panel complete the look.
Add Strength With Zigzag Stitch
Most sofa styles work well with basic fitted slipcover construction. Measure and cut the front, back and two side panels squarely. Sew side seams using a 1/2″ seam allowance. Finish with surged or zigzag stitching for strength.
Corner To Corner Arm Style
For corner-to-corner arm styles, ease curves gradually as you pin and sew. Cut on the straight grain for fabric flexibility. Another trick is cutting arm pieces on the bias for natural stretch and gathering. Insert zippers or overlapped Velcro before final stitching. Topstitch all seams for professional polish and reinforcement.
Perfecting the Fit
Thick Seat Cushions
For sofas with thick seat cushions, add generous 1-2″ all-around cut dimensions. This allows the fabric to tuck neatly around the padding. On upholstered frames, line the front with slip cushion covers before attaching the main cover. Pull taut and tie off at corners to prevent shifting. Check fit continuously as you assemble.
Get Inspired
Make small adjustments to the pattern where needed. Turn the whole piece right side out for final review. Add accent features to personalize your unique design. With the right materials, simple pattern and customizable features, old sheets transform into beautiful, custom sofa covers full of personality and charm. Seeking inspiration from nature, colour palettes, travel and nostalgia translates perfectly for a one-of-a-kind finished look
Conclusion
To make sofa covers from sheets, choose the fabric with proper condition. Make sure to get rid of stains and trim the tags. Before cutting the fabric, measure your sofa properly and leave some fabric for seam allowance.
Be creative with closures! Invisible zippers are sleek but I kind of love the rustic look of ties or overlapped Velcro too. You do you. Add those special touches that make it yours. Patch pockets? Flannel trim? Pleats even on a plain cover elevate it to fancy status. Go wild!
Frequently Asked Questions
A: Cotton or cotton-blend sheets hold up well to regular use. Avoid thin polyester which may pill or tear easily. Old sheets that are in good condition, without any stains and tear are a good choice.
A: Small stains can often be washed out. For larger ones, consider patching or incorporating them into the design. Avoid using sheets with large tears.
A: Basic sewing supplies like a sewing machine, scissors, pins and thread. You may also want piping, bias tape, zippers or binding for finishes
A: Cut generously and measure your sofa dimensions plus 1-2″ for seam allowances. Extra is better than not having enough fabric.
A: With basic cotton sheets and proper care, covers can last several years depending on wear. Reinforce seams over time.
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