Pattern for DIY Sofa Cover

• 1). Draw a three-dimensional diagram of your cushions and label it with measurements of the height, width and length. Take this diagram with you to the fabric store. Fabric comes in different widths, so that will determine how much fabric you'll need. If you choose a fabric with a nap such as velvet you'll need extra fabric. Extra fabric is also needed for matching plaids, stripes and other patterns. The person cutting the fabric can help you with this.
  
  
• 2). Lay out the butcher or wrapping paper and using a ruler, draw the dimension of the top and bottom -- draw it just once since the measurements are the same for both -- of the cushions and add 3/4 inch around all the edges.
  
  
• 3). Draw a couple of marks on the paper of the height plus 3/4 inch extra for seams on each edge of the cushion. Cushion height usually measures 4 to 6 inches. Cut a strip long enough for three sides of the cushion.
  
  
• 4). Draw a pattern for the back height of the cushion where the zipper goes. Make it 2 inches wider than the long strip you drew for the perimeter, and add 3/4-inch to the ends for corner seams.
  
  
• 5). Pin the pattern pieces to the fabric and cut the pattern out using the scissors.
  
  

Sewing the Cover

• 1). Pick up the piece of fabric that you cut out for the zipper section. Fold it in half lengthwise and press. Cut the fabric in half along the pressed line. Sew the zipper in between these two pieces of fabric.
  
  
• 2). Pick up the long strip of fabric that you cut. Press each end of the strip under 3/4 inches. The back strip with the zipper will be much wider than the long strip. Trim the back strip to the same width as the long strip. With both strips facing right side up, pin the 3/4-inch end fold of the long strip to the top of the zippered strip, overlapping the split at the bottom of the zipper. Pin the other end of the long strip the same way to the top of the zipper overlapping to the beginning of the zipper. Top stitch these two ends together.
  
  
• 3). Pin the top piece of fabric all the way around the long strip with the zipper. If you are including piping, pin it between the two pieces of fabric. Sew the top fabric to the strip. Sew the bottom piece of fabric all the way around the other edge of the long strip. Trim the seams and press them open.