How To Make A Slipcover For A Camel Back Loveseat? Comprehensive Guide

Helen Skeates
Helen Skeates
13 min read

Good slipcovers can help you refresh the look of your furniture without breaking the bank. Finding out how to make a slipcover for a camel back sofa is our mission for the day.

When making slipcovers, the most challenging part of the sewing process is managing the sheer volume of fabric through the machine.

Do you long for one-of-a-kind, handcrafted furniture but lack the funds to purchase brand new pieces? Then, you can consider purchasing a secondhand piece from an antique or thrift store and recovering it yourself.

Especially with the recent resurgence of interest in mid-century modern furnishings, a camelback couch crafted in the style of a modern-day artisan would be an excellent addition to any home.

Let’s begin by addressing some central issues so that everyone is on the same page. What a loveseat is and why some people don’t have one, for example.

What is a loveseat?

What we call a “loveseat” is a specific type of small sofa that seats two people (a couple). A loveseat, or a pair of chairs, is a common piece of furniture in many different types of living rooms. For example, a loveseat’s back can be lower and its armrests higher.

White Camel Back Couch - Slipcovers by Shelley

How long is a loveseat?

When it comes to the length of a loveseat, there is no set rule. It’s available in a range of sizes to accommodate a number of different settings. Yet, the distance between a loveseat’s armrests should be no less than 48 inches and no more than 72 inches (19 and 28 cm).

What distinguishes a loveseat from a sofa?

The original intent of the loveseat’s name was not to accommodate a couple or a couple in a romantic relationship. It was originally designed to accommodate women wearing elaborate, floor-length dresses. The loveseat’s functionality has shifted over time as fads come and go.

It evolved into the perfect seating arrangement for a couple to share a romantic evening. The definition of a “loveseat” in the present day refers to a sofa with two seats, one on each side. The original plan called for an S-shaped configuration so that users could face one another.

What is a sofa?

A sofa is an upholstered bench or seat with arms and a back that allows people to sit comfortably. Nowadays, this is the most frequent way to describe a plush sofa or armchair.

What is a couch?

Couches first appeared in French interiors about the 17th century. In contrast to a contemporary sofa, this lounger had armrests but no back support. On the other hand, a couch resembled a classic chaise lounge or daybed in many ways.

The term “couch” is a French loanword meaning “to sleep.” In the United States, sofas are often commonly referred to as couches.

What is a slipcover?

Slipcovers are a type of furniture cover that is both detachable and custom-fitted to the piece of furniture it will be covering. They are a cheap and easy method to give your furniture a new makeover. In addition, you can feel safe wearing them around both kids and animals.

Slipcovers are useful for many different types of furniture, including sofas, loveseats, futons/daybeds, recliners, chairs/stools, and ottomans. There are three factors to think about when purchasing a slipcover for your furniture: the material, the design, and the measurements.

The Many Benefits Of Loveseats

Think about the following advantages of a loveseat before you decide against purchasing one:

Better Use of Space

Seating options are limited in small apartments, but a loveseat can fit comfortably in a corner. Loveseats, with their diminutive stature, are perfect for filling odd nooks and shoring up lonely nooks. An extra-large master bedroom might feel more sumptuous by adding a sofa to the space at the foot of the bed, for instance. When a full sofa would be too large for a room, a solid loveseat can be a fantastic alternative.

Matching Ability for Good Design

Sofas and loveseats can be purchased separately, although many stores sell sets for convenience. Sixty percent of respondents indicated that they would center their living room’s design on a sofa, making the selection of a complementary loveseat an obvious next step. Sofa sets allow you to furnish a room elegantly without having to worry about finding complementary colors and fabrics. Alternately, two identical loveseats might be paired with a huge ottoman to create a dramatic visual balance.

Useful Beyond the Living Room

While loveseats and sofas are most commonly found in the living room, their compact size makes them ideal anywhere comfortable and stylish sitting is required. This type of bench is perfect for the indoor-outdoor comfort that a screened-in porch may provide. Put an extra-sturdy little sofa right inside the door for convenient shoe removal. A loveseat can serve multiple purposes and improve the flow of your open-concept kitchen, dining area, and living room.

White Camel Back Couch - Slipcovers by Shelley

Fun to Rearrange

A loveseat’s compact form makes it simple to relocate it to a different room or rearrange it within an existing one. An extraordinary amount of seating versatility can be had from a tiny couch, making it a great choice for anyone who enjoys experimenting with new and interesting interior design schemes.

Types of slipcover material

How often you plan to use your furniture can help you decide on a covering material. Slipcovers can be made from a variety of fabrics, including cotton, microfiber, denim, polyester, linen, and more. Consider some often seen substrates:

In addition to being lightweight, cotton can also be washed in a washing machine. It’s more relaxed and comfortable, giving the whole thing a more relaxed vibe. Cotton slipcovers last a long time, although they crease easily. If you like to take your slipcover off and on, remember this!

Artificial leather. Slipcovers made of faux leather are available and may be worth the investment if your leather couch or chair is starting to show signs of use. Faux leather is a fantastic material for a slipcover since it can be cleaned with a damp cloth and retains its original look and feel.

Linen is a versatile fabric with a number of desirable qualities, including its softness, smoothness, ability to regulate body temperature, and long lifespan. Slipcovers made of linen are great for achieving a casual, lived-in look for your sofa. The natural crease of linen is attractive if you’re going for a relaxed vibe.

Making your slipcover

Let’s get started on covering the camel back couch with a slipcover.

Take the loveseat’s old fabric off. You can use the fabric scraps as a guide to create a new slipcover if you properly remove them. You can either fully replace the folded foam or puff it up by wrapping it with batting.

Flip the couch over and secure it to the wooden frame with staples.

Cut and measure

It’s important to accurately measure and cut the fabric for the sofa’s front, sides, and back. After that, you should trim the back cloth so that it follows the curvature of the couch. This is done so the finished cover will have a correct fit.

Upholstery fabric is thick, so it’s preferable to use electric scissors.

Sew the top and sides together, right sides facing in, using a 5/8-inch seam. Slip the cover over the back of the sofa by letting the bottom of the cover hang loose. It is necessary to measure and cut the fabric for the seat.

Attaching the component

Staple each piece to the sofa’s frame on its underside so that the staples are out of sight when the sofa is assembled. Avoid creases by pulling the fabric taut as you staple it, but not so tight that it won’t give when pressure is applied.

So, there you have it; a slipcover for a camelback loveseat.

How to Clean a Slipcover, According to Experts

Scotchgard Fabric Water Shield, 13.5 Ounces

If washing your slipcover seems like too much of a hassle, several of our experts suggested using a fabric protector to help prevent stains for longer. New Jersey-based slipcover designers Jeanne Liberkowski and Kimberly Aravena both say that Scotchgard is crucial because it protects fabrics from stains and moisture. However, as Aravena points out, “when you add stain repellant to washable fabric, it will lose power over time,” so you’ll need to Scotchgard the item after each wash. For use in between washings, “you can tell if it’s still effective on the cloth if you drip a little bit of water on it and it beads up and kind of rolls around,” says Liberkowski. The company guarantees that Scotchgard won’t harm any of your favorite washable materials, including cotton, polyester, silk, wool, acrylic, nylon, and more.

Tech Stain Remover

It is recommended that you handle any stubborn stains on a slipcover with a spot cleaning before washing the entire covering. To remove stains from natural-fiber slipcovers, Powell recommends Tech’s Stain Remover, which she deems “the most reliable and versatile stain remover I’ve ever used.” She says the solution is “odorless and does not include any harsh chemicals like bleach, alcohol, or solvents” and is “safe to use on all washable fabrics,” meaning it won’t stain a textile or leave a ring around the place when it dries. When stains are handled as soon as they occur, Powell says, “this is vital since the longer you leave a stain untreated, the tougher it will be to remove it using Tech or any other form of spot-cleaner.” She treats stains by first placing a dry cloth underneath the slipcover at the site of the stain, then blotting the affected area with a terry cloth towel dampened with Tech. Finally, she washes the slipcover to eliminate any traces of the stain and the Tech. Using the solution, she claims to have successfully removed “red wine, blood, coffee, and even dog slobber and crayon” from her slipcovers.

If you prefer a greener cleaning method, Sonny Cohen of New York’s PureGreen Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning recommends mixing equal parts hydrogen peroxide and baking soda as a homemade spot-cleaner. This solution, he says, is effective at removing organic stains such as those caused by bodily fluids, grass, coffee, and tea. Spot clean as needed, but never rub (with this or any other spot cleaner) in, since doing so might harm the pile or fade the color, he warns. In order to neutralize the solution, Cohen recommends waiting 15 to 20 minutes after application before spraying it with distilled white vinegar. Then he suggests laundering the slipcover. However, Cohen warns that “contact with an expert first to avoid the chance of ruining your linens” if you insist on doing it yourself.

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Seventh Generation Natural Liquid Laundry Detergent Free & Clear

According to Liberkowski, Powell, and Albert Nakash of New York–based upholstery and interior-design business Bettertex, the easiest way to clean a machine-washable slipcover is in cold water using a light detergent that does not contain bleach or bleach compounds. Powell prefers Seventh Generation Free & Clear. Once you’ve finished washing your slipcover, nearly all of our experts agree that it’s best to let it dry naturally before replacing it on your sofa. If you want your slipcover to return to its original shape after being placed on a dry sofa, then you should always apply it while damp, as recommended by Liberkowski. Even more so, Powell chimes in, saying, “this procedure prolongs the life of a slipcover and helps preserve the fit.” Air-drying can leave slipcovers feeling “too stiff and wrinkled,” according to Powell, the lone expert who recommends doing so. Nakash gave us a few more helpful tips: If you have separate slipcovers for a sofa’s cushions and frame, wash every piece at the same time to reduce color variations (do separate loads to avoid crowding if you have to) and zip all zippers closed to prevent damage. Liberkowski advises that “your best chance is always to verify the cloth manufacturer’s instructions” when in doubt. (Or ask your slipcover-maker if yours is custom-made.)

Conclusion

To sum up, if you have a camel back loveseat, it is in your best interest to cover it with a slipcover. The furniture will be safeguarded and its lifespan extended. Even if you have kids or pets, your loveseat will remain unscathed.

Helen Skeates

Helen Skeates

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