How To Make A Slipcover For A Sleeper Sofa? Step-By-Step Guide

To make learning how to make a slipcover for a sleeper sofa easier, we’ve broken the process down into two distinct phases. The lower half will be completed first, followed by the top half. If you’re making a sleeper sofa, the measurements and amount of fabric you’ll need may vary depending on its size.

Do you want to make your own slipcover but have never tried it before? Check out this guide on how to accurately measure your sofa for a new slipcover. In order to determine how many yards of material are required, use the measurements you obtain.

What Is a Slipcover?

In order to protect furniture from wear and tear, slipcovers might be used. They may be used without fear of damage from children or pets and can completely transform the look of previously loved pieces of furniture. Sofas, loveseats, futons, daybeds, recliners, chairs, stools, and ottomans are just some of the furniture pieces that can benefit from a slipcover. There are three things to think about when buying a slipcover for your furniture: material, design, and dimensions.

Types of Slipcovers

There are a variety of slipcovers from which to pick. Choose a material and style that works for your tastes and requirements.

Material

The amount of wear and tear on your furniture will determine the best material for your slipcover. A wide range of fabrics including cotton, microfiber, denim, polyester, linen, and more are used to make slipcovers. Some of the most common options are as follows.

Cotton: It’s breathable, easy to care for, and lightweight. It’s usually on the gentler side and gives the composition a more relaxed air. Cotton slipcovers are long-lasting, but they tend to wrinkle easily. This is something to think about if you frequently take off your covering.

Microfiber is a well-liked alternative since it resists stains and can be cleaned quickly and easily. You can rest assured that your furniture will be well-protected with microfiber, which is both plush and durable. Fortunately, any accidental spills may be removed before they set.

Denim is a hardwearing twill-weave fabric that can survive repeated washings and wear and tear. Denim is long-lasting and can give your furniture a casual, classic look and feel.

Polyester is a popular choice for slipcovers since it is long-lasting and simple to care for, allowing it to retain its good looks for longer. Strong fibers in the synthetic material prevent it from wrinkling and help it retain its shape, making it a wonderful choice for a sofa cover.

While linen is cool and smooth to the touch, it is also incredibly durable and may be used again without losing its softness. With a linen slipcover, your sofa will have a more relaxed and lived-in appearance. Even though linen wrinkles rapidly, some people really find that appearance more informal and appealing.

Chenille is a common material for slipcovers due to its durability and comfort. Chenille’s textured look and feel come from the fabric’s raised features. The surface structure provides some degree of stain concealment.

If your leather couch or chair seems like it’s getting a lot of use, you might want to try a faux leather slipcover. If you want a slipcover that can be washed with a damp cloth and still look good, faux leather is a perfect choice.

Slipcover Design

Your slipcover can be purchased in a variety of styles. As you shop for a slipcover, keep in mind not only the piece’s intended use but also the overall aesthetic you’re trying to achieve.

The most common form of slipcovers, known as “furniture protectors,” are designed to shield your couches, chairs, and ottomans from the ravages of time and use as well as the hazards of spills and stains. Furniture protectors are helpful for households with pets and young children to prevent damage to furniture. Protective covers for furniture are often made from a single sheet of material that is secured in place with Velcro or another similar fastening method. In the event of a spill, they may be removed without much effort, simplifying cleanup.

One-piece covers are convenient for frequent cleaning because they can be removed and replaced without any hassle. In order to secure the fabric snugly around the base, most one-piece protectors feature ties along the skirt. If you’re using a one-piece protection for your sofa, for example, you might want to tuck the excess fabric into the crease. If you can’t obtain a good tuck with your hands, a wooden spatula will do the work.

Stretch-fit covers are a great way to protect your furniture while also giving it a sleek, tailored appearance. They are simple to put on and stay in place thanks to the stretch, making them a good choice for families with kids and pets.

Covers for sofas and loveseats that feature removable seat cushions are called “separate seat protectors.” The sofa comes in two parts: the frame and the cushions. The number of parts will vary depending on the exact nature of your cushion’s design. In order to achieve a more personalized look for your sofa, purchasing separate seat protectors is recommended.

Cushion Design

Slipcover cushions can be either the standard cushion or the T-cushion style. When shopping for a slipcover, it’s crucial to have a firm grasp on the precise style you’ll need.

Common or Box Cushions are square or rectangular in shape. Cushions like these are easy to clean because a simple flip will cover any blemish.

There is a T-shaped outline on these cushions, hence the name. Sofas and armchairs with T-cushion cushions often have coverings made specifically for them. The T-shaped silhouette is achieved by the slipcover, which is doubled over the seat and back cushions.

How to Find the Right Slipcover Size

When shopping for a slipcover, it’s important to know the exact dimensions of your furniture pieces. It is necessary to measure the length, width, height, and depth of a sofa, chair, or ottoman. Slipcovers with dust ruffles or skirts need that you take a measurement from the seat’s top to the floor.

Some sofa cover styles require that the cushion width be measured. Take a measurement from the far left cushion’s edge to the far right one. Cushion depth is determined by taking the distance from the cushion’s front edge to where it attaches to the sofa’s back.

Some slipcovers for reclining furniture specify a minimum reclining length. Measure the depth of your recliner from the top of the arm rest to the bottom of the footrest with the chair in the fully reclined position.

6 Reasons Why You Should Choose a Slipcovered Sofa

1. The primary advantage of a slipcovered sofa over an upholstered sofa is that it is much simpler to maintain and clean. The cover may be removed, zipped up, and washed if it starts to look dirty or if something spills on it. If you want a white sofa but are concerned about keeping it looking clean in a household with children and dogs, a slipcovered design is your best bet.
2. The Parts Can Be Easily Replaced The slipcovered sofa’s main advantage is that it can be easily reupholstered whenever the owner so desires. With this type of sofa, you may easily change the look of your seating to suit the season, the holiday, or your current state of mind. Since purchasing a slipcover is always going to be less expensive than purchasing a completely new upholstered sofa, you may afford to splurge on a higher quality piece of furniture knowing that it will last even longer.
3. Slipcovered couches are also preferable for houses with a lot of foot traffic because they are easy to replace when they get stained, torn, or otherwise damaged. With a slipcovered couch, you won’t have to hire an expensive expert upholster or buy a new sofa if something goes wrong; you can just replace the cover. In the long run, slipcovered furniture is less expensive than conventional models.
4. If you associate slipcovered couches with saggy, ill-fitting furniture from the past, we urge you to peruse today’s selection and discover the many ways in which these sofas may be transformed into stunning works of art. Take a look at our Liza I Slipcovered Sofa to see what we mean by ultra-modern, and our Luca II Slipcovered Sofa to see what we mean by uncompromisingly formal. It’s possible to choose a slipcover design that works for your specific needs. The chic slipcovered sofa can be paired with a matching club chair.
5. It’s a safer bet – There’s always the chance that a new piece of furniture won’t work in your home, especially if you go with a bespoke or made-to-order option rather than something off the shelf. The danger is much reduced when using a sofa with a slipcover. Swap it out for something that works better with your overall aesthetic if the hue, fabric, or pattern doesn’t work.
6. It could be less expensive if Last but not least, there are several reasons why slipcovered sofas are less expensive. They can be ordered in “quick-ship” versions that may be more cost-effective because they avoid the requirement for labor-intensive upholstery and specific fabrics. This type of sofa will also save you money on professional cleaning services over time. Choose a sofa retailer that offers free in-home delivery to maximize your savings.

How To Make A Slipcover For A Sleeper Sofa The Easiest Way

Step 1. Sew the bottom half of the sleeper sofa slipcover

• Split the fabric in half and wash it if it gets dirty.
• Start by completing the slipcover’s bottom half.
• One fabric piece should be laid lengthwise across the couch bed’s bottom cushion.
• Keep it upright and drape one end over the back of the sofa.
• Put a pin in each of the two front corners to keep the cloth in place, and then draw a line where the sewing will go.
• To see if any alterations are necessary, you can check the fit by turning the fabric inside out.
• Then, place the fabric, right side up, on the seat, make a mark where it will meet the floor, and sew a hem.
• Sew the top edge or the section that extends up the back of the sleeper sofa, and then repeat on the sides.
• After securing the back with tabs made from the leftover fabric, fit the bottom half of the slipcover onto the sides of the couch.
• You may secure the cover to the sofa’s frame with screws from underneath.

Step 2. Sew the remaining half of the sleeper sofa slipcover

• Starting at the front edge, complete the upper half of the slipcover.
• The leftover fabric can be draped over the back of the couch bed and hemmed along the selvage.
• Put it back over the sofa with the right side down and the hemmed edge facing out.
• Adjust the upper corners and sew as needed.
• Pin the wrong side of the fabric to the right side while you work on the side seams.
• Sewing a seam requires checking the alignment of the rear selvage edge with the front hemmed edge, plus or minus half an inch.
• Remove any surplus fabric and use the top’s hanging fabric to fasten the back.
• Join the two halves of the fabric together by snapping them together.

Can You Put A Slipcover On A Sleeper Sofa?

A slipcover can be used on a sleeper sofa in the same manner that it can be used on any other type of sofa. Slipcovers for sleeper sofas can be purchased from some retailers, but they are equally easy to construct using the two-step process outlined above. If you have a couch bed, there’s no reason to cover it.

If your sleeper sofa is looking a little worn after years of use, a new cover is an easy way to update its look. This will bring your sofa up to date with the times. More importantly, the cover can extend the life of the sleeper sofa by shielding it from dirt and liquids.

Keep in mind that a sleeper sofa serves a different purpose from a standard couch: accommodating slumber. Damage is more likely to occur when it is used for more than just sitting.

How Do You Reupholster A Sleeper Sofa?

Reupholstering the sleeper sofa might be a good idea, but only if you’re sure it’ll pay off. Replacement of worn out furniture is recommended because the expense of repairs could exceed the price of a new piece.

Step 1. Remove the current upholstery

• Take the existing fabric off the sleeper sofa.
• Be sure to take pictures at each stage so that the upholstery can be put in without a hitch later.
• Taking the couch apart to remove the upholstery may be necessary.
• In order to facilitate the process of replacing the upholstery, it is imperative that as much of the original fabric as possible be preserved.
• We ask that you turn the sofa over, starting with the bottom fabric, before attempting any upright repairs.

Step 2. Measure and cut the new upholstery

• Use the old upholstery as a template to cut out the new fabric.
• Take careful note of where each fabric goes before you start installing it.
• Provide a space of one to two inches for pinning when building.
• A half-inch seam allowance should be used when sewing the upholstery pieces together.

Step 3. Cover the sleeper sofa with the new material

• Wrap the couch bed in the new fabric.
• Put the material where it needs to be using the photographs you took previously as a guide.
• Fasten the upholstery using staples or tacks.
• To ensure a proper fit, pull and stretch the fabric as you install it.

How Do You Turn A Sleeper Sofa Into A Regular Couch?

A sofa sleeper, in contrast to a traditional sofa bed, has a frame that encases the mattress. Since its basic structure is the same, transforming it into a standard sofa shouldn’t be too difficult. You can make the sleeper couch as cozy as a sofa bed by adding pillows, a throw, and even a cover.

7 Methods To Keep Couch Cover In Place?

1- Insertion of foam

A foam insert may be the most effective solution for preventing the cover from sliding around. Foam inserts are included with some couch covers, and these go in the space between your sofa’s arm or back and the seat cushion.

Cover will stay on very securely if you force the form insert into the opening. In case yours didn’t include a foam pad, you may pick one up at any local retailer.

2- Non-skid rug padding

Leather couch slipcovers are notoriously difficult to maintain. After looking for a solution, we were relieved to learn that non-skid padding could solve the cover’s slippery problems.

Non-skid foam can be used on the cushions to prevent the slipcovers from moving about, much like a rug is used beneath furniture. This will help the coverings stay put and prevent any moving.

3- Use upholstery pins

Sofa covers are more secure when secured with upholstery pins, but you can also use them for decoration. By placing them on either side of the couch, you can prevent the cover from sliding or rolling and give the couch a more put-together look.

In order to get a snug fit, the cover must be pulled and stretched before being pinned into place with upholstery pins. However, they are also useful for bed skirts and other droopy upholstery that needs to fit well and stay put.

4- Using Slipcover straps

The elasticized and adjustable straps anchor the seat coverings to the back and floor of the sofa. Some manufactures include slipcovers with the cover by default, but if you don’t have one, you might have to buy one separately.

5- Use anything that you can roll to keep cover in place.

Newspaper or a rubber non-adhesive shelving liner are just two examples of materials that can be twisted into tubes and used to secure seat covers. It can be rolled up and stored in a tube using masking or duct tape. Place the folded magazine tubes between the back of the couch and the seats and sides to prevent the covers from coming undone.

6- Sofa tuckers or slipcover tuck grips

The slipcover strips, or sofa tuckers, are made of PVC and provide the same function as the foam inserts. You can get a set of slipcover tuckers in the size and form that works best for you.

In addition, they make it easy to secure covers for seats or other furniture pieces and prevent them from moving around. That way, the seats won’t look sloppy from loose folds and creases.

7- Using a Dowel Rod

If the slipcover is tucked into the back row of seat cushions, you can keep it from slipping by inserting a dowel rod into the space between the cushions and the back of the slipcover. Avoiding cover from rolling can be accomplished with this easy technique.

FAQ’s

What can I do to improve the fit of my couch covers?

Your sofa cover’s fit can be much enhanced by your own handiwork, and it’s surprisingly simple to do it. There are standard couch cover sizes available, but because every sofa is different, they may not always fit well.

Avoid using excess fabric that bunches up or overflows by measuring the sofa for a slipcover and using the resulting proportions for your DIY cover.

Construct a couple of panels in the exact shape and style of your sofa. Backrest, seat, and armrest components are typically needed. Because of the tailored nature of the cushions, they should fit snugly without the need for grips or ties.

How to Keep Leather Sofa Covers in Place

Covering a leather couch is still an option; just be sure to use grips to prevent it from sliding about. The cover will stay in place on the seat while you put the grip strips on. Couch slipcovers with an adhesive back are another option for maintaining placement on smooth leather.

Before putting on the cover, you can also cover the sofa with a foam padding the same size as the cushions. The adhesive and plumpness they provide will keep your furniture’s coverings in place on the leather.

What Is The Best Way To Keep An Armchair Cover In Place?

Armchair coverings pinned on purpose will remain pinned. To prevent injury when a person rests their arm on a chair’s armrest, the pins should be inserted at an angle. Depending on the upholstery, hook and loop tapes can also be used to fasten chair covers.

Are Stretch Sofa Covers Effective?

Stretch sofa coverings work well since they can be cut to any size to fit any couch. Not all standard-issue couch slipcovers are created equal. The cover should be sturdy enough to withstand repeated use and protect the couch from spills and scratches.

Conclusion

Changing the cover on your sleeper sofa is a simple way to revitalize your old couch. Just to review, in order to construct a covering for a sleeper sofa, you need only make two distinct pieces. Begin with the bottom, then the top, then use tabs to keep everything in place.