You don't need to be a professional to make armrest covers.To get great looking covers that blend in with your sofa, drape matching fabric over the armrests and draw the measurements on.You can protect your couch from natural oils, sweat and stains by cutting and sewing covers.You can extend the life of your sofa and save money at the same time.
Step 1: Add 1 inch to the armrest width.
Take a measuring tape or ruler and hold it over the widest part of the armrest.If you don't know how wide to cut the front cover piece, add 1 inch to the measurement and write it down.If your armrest is 20 cm across, add 1 inch for the seam allowance to get 23 cm.
Step 2: Measure the length of the armrest cover.
Determine how far down you want the cover to go by turning your ruler or measuring tape against the armrest.To see the endpoint, mark the armrest with chalk.Write down your measurement.How long to make your armrest covers is up to you.They usually cover the curve of the armrest and extend down by a few inches.To make the armrest come halfway down your sofa, your measurement might be 12 inches (30 cm) long.
Step 3: You can cut a piece of fabric to match your measurements.
The sofa fabric is the same as a heavy piece of fabric.You should cut a piece that's the size you took.Since you'll be trimming the piece more, you don't need to cut it perfectly smooth.If your measurement was 9 by 12 inches, cut the fabric to that size.Pick fabric with a pattern or color that matches your sofa if you can't find it.The material you choose should be the same as your sofa's fabric.
Step 4: Attach the front piece to your armrest.
Line up the top of the piece with the armrest if you want to hold the fabric piece up to the front.You can mark the edges of the armrest's front with a piece of chalk.Cut 1 inch away from your marking line to allow for the seam.You should make a mark at the top of the fabric in the center to know where to line up the finished piece later.This should be done on the other side of the fabric.If it's difficult to mark the fabric without it moving around, put pins through the armrest to keep it from slipping.
Step 5: There is a piece of fabric over the armrest.
Cut out a piece of fabric that is large enough to cover the armrest and hang over both sides.Attach the edge of the fabric piece to the armrest.If you don't want it to slide around while you measure, put a few pins through the fabric and into the sofa.Line up the fabric piece so it matches the direction of the sofa's pattern.
Step 6: The sides of the cover should be marked with chalk.
You can mark the edge of the fabric at the center by using a piece of chalk.You can line it up later if you do this on the wrong side of the fabric.You can use your measurement to make a mark on each side of the cover with chalk.
Step 7: Leave an extra 2 in of fabric for the seam allowance after cutting out the fabric.
To mark the bottom of the cover with chalk, spread the fabric flat on a work surface and use chalk to draw a straight line.Cut along both lines and trim the end of the armrest where you want it to be.The seam allowance should be left 2 inch.The style of the sofa affects the shape of your top fabric piece.The curved armrests take more fabric than the square ones.
Step 8: The edge of the top piece should be pinned to the front piece.
You can find the mark you made near the center of the edge if you lay the top piece flat.Put the front piece on top so the mark you made on the center edge lines up with the top piece.To keep the pieces in place, put a pin through the edge.Once you finish sewing, the right sides of the fabric should be facing each other.Since you'll be easing the fabric around the curve, it's difficult to try and surround the sides of the front piece.
Step 9: One side of the front piece should be sewed into the top piece using a sewing machine.
Begin sewing the front piece to the top by adjusting your sewing machine.Start in the center edge where the marks line up and sew around the curve.Pull the lower layer of fabric towards the top edge as you sew so it gathers instead of staying flat.Use thread that matches the fabric of the sofa.The fabric is gathered as you sew the curve to prevent it from puckering at the end.
Step 10: Straight stitches should be made around the other half of the cover.
Place the needle under the center of the fabric.When you reach the bottom edge, sew in the other direction.Remember to leave a 2 inch seam allowance.If you're an experienced sewer, you can sew from the bottom edge up along the curve to the center and then down the other edge in 1 pass, but sewing the cover with 2 seams gives you more control.
Step 11: To sew a 2 in (1.3 cm) hem, Tuck the bottom edges of the cover under.
To make a rolled hem, fold the edges of the cover under by 4 inch (0.64 cm).Attach the folded edge to the armrest cover with a straight stitch.You can iron the fabric if you don't want to pin it.You can't unfold the fabric as you sew.
Step 12: Put the cover on the armrest.
The armrest cover should be unfold to hide the edges and seams.Put the cover on the armrest.Pin the back edges of the cover to the sofa for a tighter fit.
Step 13: Make another armrest by repeating the entire process.
When sewing the front and top pieces of your sofa, use the same measurements.The shape of the front piece needs to be adjusted if the armrests curve away from each other.Read the care instructions that came with your sofa if you need to wash the armrest covers.If you're using a different type of fabric, make sure you read the care instructions.