Sewing advice: making sofa covers

Niblet

Hi!

I have two Ektorp 2 seater sofas. Really sorry I can't show you a pic, forum won't let me post a link but you can find it on google if you want to see what they look like. I replaced the covers last year with new white ones from Ikea, and of course they got dirty so I washed them on 30 degrees then air dried and they'd shrunk! How hard it would be to sew some more? It doesn't need to have fancy pleats like the pic, I just want something to cover my naked sofas that I can bung in the wash. I don't even have a sewing machine at this point so I am a total novice, but I can't afford to buy more covers so I am motivated to give it a go. So embarassed when people come over and see the bare sofas.

Ornithopter_al

Hi Niblet,

I am sure that you could do it if you try, you will be amazed how easy it is. In the past I have covered settees and made window seats complete with covered buttons and piping/pleats dindnt have any training but was inspired by my dad who would have a go at anything. You can even do it all by hand (just takes longer) use newspaper/carboard or the old covers as patterns.

Good Luck

Mayflower10cat

Tricky without a sewing machine..... I have made loose covers in the past because of lack of money and access to several pairs of curtains I could cut up. I made a paper pattern from brown paper so I didn't waste any fabric. It took ages! Have you got a couple of bedspreads or throws you could safety-pin or just roughly sew into place? Often the cheapest way to buy a large piece of fabric is to get a double/kingsize duvet cover and cut that up.

Niblet

Thank you for your encouragement! I'm going to ask everyone I know if they have a sewing machine I can borrow. I like the cardboard or brown paper template idea.

paddy's_mum

Ask in local charity shops, house clearance places and sewing machine service shops where sound but old machines are often part exchanged for super-duper new models.

Sewing machines constantly turn up, as it was a rare older woman who didn't learn how to sew at school and have a machine tucked away in a cupboard at home. You might want to try to find one on ebay.

If you are a complete novice, I would recommend that you start off with a hand machine until you've learned how to handle the task. Even an old electric can take off with a whizz and you've gone 18" - possibly across your fingernails - before you can stop!