Sewing covers for sofas with your own hands
A unique chance to update upholstered furniture after renovation is to order euro covers for a sofa and armchairs. They will make it not only beautiful, but also protected from dust and dirt. Such a coating will extend the life of the furniture set.
Advantages and disadvantages of sofa covers
Covers for upholstered furniture are convenience, beauty and practicality in one set. They don't need to be straightened 100 times a day like bedspreads or capes. They are just perfect for both a new sofa and an old, slightly dilapidated, favorite armchair.
For sewing covers, a huge selection of fabrics is offered, which differ in a wide color palette and a variety of textured moments. In addition, they can be made in a variety of styles. This is not just a tribute to fashion, but a very necessary attribute of the interior.
Some more positive points:
- Cheaper option in comparison with constriction.
- Convenient to use, easy to remove and wash.
- Creation of your own exclusive design.
- You can create several options and change.
- Protection from dirt, dust and damage.
However, the covers have some disadvantages:
- This is a non-native upholstery and therefore will not fit perfectly.
- The angle between the backrest and the seat is not tight enough. In this case, it is easier with a straight sofa than with a corner one. In places with a loose fit, foam inserts should be placed.
- If the sofa is used as a sleeping place, then the cape will have to be manipulated twice a day.
However, in comparison with bedspreads and blankets from the last century, covers still significantly benefit.
How to sew a sofa cover with your own hands (with and without elastic bands)
Even for a sofa of the most non-standard shape, you can sew a removable cover with your own hands. But this requires a sewing machine, the ability to work with it and a little knowledge in sewing and creating patterns.
It is simply impossible to calculate a universal pattern suitable for a variety of models. In each case, it is necessary to take into account the size and configuration of the furniture.
The most difficult thing is to sew the covering on the corner models. An existing old cover can simplify the work. It can be ripped open and used as a template. This method is simple and ingenious to create the most accurate schematic.
If there is no old cover, but the sofa has simple shapes, then the process of sewing the cover will not take much time.
Choice of sizes and designs
When deciding on the choice of style, one should take into account not only personal preferences and tastes, but also adhere to the general design of the room.
Having chosen the style and model of the cover, you can proceed to the calculation of the fabric. To get the correct dimensions, the sofa must be divided into rectangles and the seats, backrests, armrests measured, and then the results added.
To facilitate the process, you can draw it in detail on paper, indicating the dimensions. +50 cm should be added to the calculations, and preferably +100 cm, just in case.
What materials and tools are needed
To sew a sofa cover with your own hands, you will need the following tools for work:
- sewing machine, iron, ironing board;
- fabric, elastic band, threads, braid;
- scissors, chalk, centimeter, needles, pins;
- pattern paper, ruler, pencil and marker.
The most important thing in creating a product is fabric. It must be durable, durable, environmentally friendly and easy to clean.
Most often used for sewing: flock, jacquard, pleated, microfiber, eco-leather, leatherette, chenille with a plush surface, natural or artificial fur. To make a eurocoat with your own hands, you will need a more elastic fabric.
Designers recommend choosing a fabric with some nuances in mind. For the sofa on which they sleep, it is better to use synthetics such as chenille, which are durable. Natural fabrics will be ideal for a nursery. For families with beloved pets, Relax with isoprene impregnation is suitable, which will protect the coating from puffs.
But the universal flock is considered a hit of sales. It is very beautiful, reminiscent of velvet, durable, practical and looks great on any upholstered furniture.
Pattern of elements
The first step is to measure all the details of the sofa: armrests, backs, seats and ottomans. After that, you need to make a pattern of all the elements on paper.
Cut paper elements are placed on a fabric spread out on a flat surface and pinned with pins. After that, it is drawn around with chalk along the contour, and then carefully cut out. When transferring patterns to fabric, you need to take into account the seam allowances, which should be at least 7 centimeters.
Cover sewing
The cut parts are grinded with a basting seam, the product is tried on on furniture and fixed to the body with pins. After fitting, the basting seams are replaced with a durable double stitching and overlock.
To stitch the elastic into the edges of the case, you need to do some operations with the bottom edges. It is necessary to turn the cover inside out and draw a straight line from the bottom. At the beginning of the line, the end of the elastic is fixed and, stretching it slightly, they begin to produce a three-step elastic seam. Such processing of the bottom of the cover will not only securely fix it on the product, but will also avoid unaesthetic creases or folds.
A coating made of fabrics with a pronounced stretch effect will look ideal. It instantly regains its shape even with light pressure.
Fabrics with an isoprene layer and dense pile will help prevent puffs. The finished product can be decorated with bows, patches or applique.
For the decoration of armrests, it is better to use a piping with a diameter of 1 cm. The lower part will perfectly emphasize the framing with a wide ribbon or braid.
The use of euro covers for sofas and armchairs
Eurocovers are considered universal. They are suitable for almost any furniture, as they are made only of elastic materials: microfiber, elastane and others. The fabrics are highly durable and do not require careful maintenance.
There is also a type of microfiber with Teflon added on the market. Such a product will last much longer, it is extremely easy to clean and does not deteriorate from exposure to sunlight. The disadvantages include only a small assortment.
Dimensionless stretch products are very popular. The beauty lies in the presence of numerous elastic bands in the fabrics, which allow you to almost evenly cover the entire sofa and fix the cover. The elasticity of the fabric eliminates the need to make accurate measurements of upholstered furniture. Such material is well washed, dried, it does not need to be ironed.
Features of covers and bedspreads for corner sofas
It is impossible to give a specific recommendation for making a pattern for a corner sofa - each case will be individual. You can only decide on some of the nuances. The more accurate the pattern, the less allowances are made. The design is very complex and therefore it is almost impossible to calculate the exact proportions. Even in production, each model is individually trimmed.
If the corner section is attached, then it is necessary to sew 5 covers together:
- main section;
- attached;
- back;
- two armrests.
With a plug-in corner section or a one-piece sofa structure, the pattern is made in separate parts:
- on the "wings";
- corner of the structure.
All finished parts are sewn together from the seamy side.
Therefore, in order to sew the perfect bedspread on a corner sofa with your own hands, you should draw up a clear step-by-step instruction for doing the work. Due to its rather large size, it is better to sew it in parts, and then connect it.
In order for the finished cover to hold better on the furniture, you can sew a linen elastic along the contour of the entire product. It is also good to have a zipper on the invisible side. Various decorative elements will help to hide the failed elements: ribbons, bows, braid. Decorative pillows that can be sewn from the same fabric can hide unaesthetic moments and decorate the product.
When purchasing a new furniture set, it is advisable to order or sew removable covers yourself. They will not only protect sofas and armchairs from various damages and dirt, but also bring pleasant changes to the interior.
Video: how to sew a sofa cover
Photo ideas for sewing a sofa cover
