Updated at: 19-07-2022 - By: Sienna Lewis

Costs can quickly add up while shopping for a new sofa. Expect to spend more than $500 on a replacement piece of furniture, even if it’s just a loveseat with two cushions, and even more on reupholstery. That’s a lot of money, but with a little creativity and a lot of good will, you can give your couch a facelift and extend its useful life. Slipcovering your couch with sheets is a cheap, chic, and simple method to update its look.

Supplies and Measuring

A tape measure, couch’s length, height, and width, and fabric tacks are required to properly fit new sheets to your sofa. Get some flat sheets bigger than your couch’s dimensions (or make do with the ones you already have) and measure it carefully. If the cushions are in reasonable condition, recovering them might not be necessary. If not, then you should gauge them as well. If the stuffing in the cushions needs to be replaced, do so.

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Bed linens and fabric tacks should ideally be of a similar shade to the sofa. This will ensure that the couch cover is not too obvious and that there is minimal see-through. Be sure the sheets match the color scheme of the cushions if you plan to keep them. Fabrics like thick cotton or twill would be ideal for this purpose. Although flat sheets are preferable, fitted sheets can be made to work by simply removing the elastic.

One or two king-size flat sheets may work, depending on the dimensions of your sofa. Choose one that will drape comfortably over the back, arms, and back again of your sofa. A full-size sheet should be plenty for covering a chair.

Tacking Down the Sheets

Get at least two dozen fabric tacks, and if you want to add a creative touch, consider picking up some ornamental ones; you can get them in a variety of flower and rhinestone designs as well as antique brass and other finishes. This is an excellent way to give your furniture a one-of-a-kind appearance. Get rid of as many kinks as you can before nailing anything down. Slipcovers can get unwieldy if you don’t want to replace the tacks, so here’s a handy suggestion from Tip Junkie: Wrap some rubber bands around some skinny cardboard tubes. Put the tubes into the cracks of your couch, and the bands will do the rest to keep your sheets in place.

After spreading the sheet out over the sofa, smooth out any creases with your hands. Then, to keep the sheet in place, tuck it into the sofa’s arms and back. It’s important to save enough fabric for the front and sides. Fabric tacks can be hidden inconspicuously by driving them through the mattress and into the couch.

You can now attach the front of the bed sheet that is dragging on the floor to the underside of the couch. When you’re done, tack the sheet to the back of the sofa as far as you can. You should also attach the sheet to the back of the armrests. Attach it to the underside of each armrest.

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Covering the Cushions

Since you will be trimming the cloth, fitted sheets are ideal for covering the cushions. Fabric shears and extra-strong safety pins are required for this step. Pick out sheets big enough to hide the pillows, and lay one flat on the ground. If the sheets have elastic around the edges, remove it carefully and throw it away.

Place the cushion in the middle of the flat sheet and wrap it up like a present. If there is a lot of extra fabric, cut it down so that it can lie flat on the sofa. Now, using the safety pins, fasten the sheet tightly together. Pile the rest of the cushions on top of the couch right side up.

If you know how to use a sewing machine or a needle and thread, you can also manufacture pillowcases out of your sheets and fit them to your couch cushions. If you follow the instructions from Woman’s Weekly, you’ll know that you need to add three centimeters to your cushion’s outline for seam allowance. To facilitate removal of the cushion covers for cleaning, zippers should be added to the sides of the covers.

Things You Will Need

  • A measuring tape
  • Thin cardboard tubes, rubber bands, or fabric tacks
  • To make a bed
  • Cushion Stuffing
  • Pruning shears for fabric
  • Sturdy safety pins
  • Needles, thread, and/or sewing machine
  • Zippers

Steps on Making a Slipcover From a Bedsheet for a Recliner

First, take the dimensions of the chair and the flat sheet, allowing an extra inch for the seam. Make two identical cuts in the fabric.

Second, iron each piece in half along its length, then fold it in half again so that you have four layers in total (one on top and three underneath).

Third, sew all the way around, except on one side, where you will leave a gap for turning. Now flip it over so the right sides are showing.

Fourth, fold over the raw edge of one end of the slipcover by a little more than half and sew it closed.

Fifth, tuck the raw edges of both fabric pieces into the bottom seam. Then, sew as close to the edge as possible without going through it.

Sixth, to seal off the openings, sew around a little more than halfway up one of the open sides and then repeat on the other side. The result should be two closed ends and an opening in the middle. Now, with right sides together, lay out your bedsheet and secure it in place with pins.

Step 7: Sew along the perimeter of your slipcover, leaving a space in one corner for turning right side out. This will prevent you from having to fight with a corner or seam again when you turn the slipcover inside out.

Eighth, secure your Slipcover in place and relax.

What is Slipcover for a Recliner?

A slipcover is a protective covering for furniture that helps keep the original fabric from getting dirty or stained. It can also be used to spruce up an outdated reclining chair. Fabric options for slipcovers are virtually endless, but the most common ones are cotton, polyester, linen, and silk.

How to Care for Recliner Slipcover?

Slipcovers require minimal maintenance. If there are any spills, blot them up with a clean, damp towel or dishcloth and let the area air dry; regular vacuuming is all that’s needed to prevent permanent stains. In addition, you may want to consider steam cleaning those hard-to-reach places once in a while.

How to Prevent Stains on Recliner Slipcovers

There are a few things you can do to keep your recliner slipcovers stain-free:

First and foremost, you should not wear any apparel that could potentially stain the cover.

Don’t put anything edible or liquidy on or near the chair (see rule 2). Do not let pets sit on it either, as they are prone to spilling their food and water all over the upholstery.

Third, blot any spills with a damp towel or dishcloth and let them air dry to prevent permanent stains.

A vacuum cleaner is option #4 for keeping your slipcover clean. Steam cleaning the places that have piled up the most grime is another option if you have the time.

Fabric softener is tip number 5 for keeping your slipcover looking like new for longer. Oils that have built up on the fabric will be washed away along with the stains and creases.

Using a protection spray, like Scotchgard Protector for Leather & Fabric, is another option (see also #6). (no matter what type of fabric your slipcover is made from).

Avoid using vinegar to clean your bedsheets since it might damage the fabric and cause premature wear.

We recommend machine washing and drying all of these products separately before combining them for use in #8.

Number nine: Some individuals find it easier if they cut their sheets so that there are no bunching up places. Sheets should be washed in cold water with a mild detergent.

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Best Material for Slipcover

Vinyl, which hides wrinkles and stains but may be uncomfortable to sit on for long periods of time. Make sure the fabric is strong enough to cover the vinyl without ripping it, or else apply glue. The fact that it resists stains is the nicest feature. On the other hand, some people may find vinyl to be excessively stiff if they prefer a more supple fabric feel.

Make sure there are no spaces in between the threads of the fabric if you’re using linen or another similar material. Fabrics that are not well made, such as cheap sheets, will have spaces between their threads.

You can’t go wrong with the affordability and ease of wear of a cotton blend fabric. In order to avoid holes in your slipcover, the weave of this fabric shouldn’t be too loose.

Can I Iron My Slipcover?

Your slipcover can be ironed, but you must take care not to overheat the iron or the vinyl will dissolve. The best way is to put a cotton towel over the fabric and then press down on top of that with an iron.

Although a slipcover can be ironed, extreme heat could melt the vinyl used to make it. Simply placing a cotton towel over the fabric and ironing it is the most effective method.