I’m pretty embarrassed to show this next picture… Can hardly believe thats how our couch looks! We bought this only two years ago from IKEA, its perfect for our small place because it turns into a fairly comfortable double bed. One issue I didn’t really consider when we bought it was how it would wash. We had one small boy at the time and now we have two, so washing it important. Actually, I can hand wash spots on it, but that only leaves another spot, so you don’t see the dirt, but you see all the washing I’ve done! yikes! A couple of times I have hand scrubbed the whole thing, so its solid again.. but it only looks good for a few days then somethings spills….and you know… back to square one… I’m never getting a couch without slip covers again!

I’ve been wanting to try and make covers for it for a long time, so I finally attempted them! I bought a duvet cover from IKEA… this was an inexpensive way to get some large fabric that was pretty thick an the color matched pretty well. Okay… here’s how I did mine.
I laid the fabric on top of the couch, it has subtle strips so I made sure they were lined up with the edges. I trimmed around the edge leaving about 10 extra inches. Leave enough to hem the bottom and add a casing for elastic (if you want).
I them marked the corners with a small dot.
At this point I tried it on before hemming. Mine was nice and tight, so I hemmed the edges and added elastic casing to the front ONLY. Basically you are making a fitted sheet…
Then I made another one..
Here’s a diagram to show where I put the elastic. The other sides are just tucked down tight and doesn’t seem to need elastic.
wow, what a difference! I’m SO excited for my NEW couch!!! I love cheap makeovers. (please ignore the train track mess on the floor, so nice!)
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Christine says
I have that same fabric/duvet cover!!! What a great way to freshen up your couch!
I hope you’ll share this at The DIY Dreamer.. From Dream To Reality! 🙂
http://thediydreamer.blogspot.ca/2012/04/from-dream-to-reality-linky-party-10.html
Anonymous says
You could also use a nice large sheet as the fabric to make the couch cover. They come in all colors & patterns & they can be machine washed & dried. If you like a natural color you could use a canvas painter’s drop cloth…can also be machine washed & dried just wash & dry before sewing to allow for shrinkage.
Michelle@ A Full Cottage says
I need to do this!!! What a great idea thanks for sharing.
🙂 Michelle
Terry says
I know what you mean about scrubbing out a spot, only to have the wash marks left behind. Still looks grungy even though now it’s clean. This is a great solution. Love your purple lines to show the elastic. Thanks so much for sharing at our party this week.
Rachael says
Great Idea! They look good too.
Tina says
Looks great, and great idea, too!
Becky@Beyond The Picket Fence says
great way to freshen up a piece. Thanks for linking up!
Katie @ Pincushion Creations says
This is fantastic!! I definetly need to do something like this for my furniture! Thanks for sharing at {Homemade By You}
Pamela says
This is so nice, I think I could do this, my sectional looks like it went through an army war. Thanks for sharing this.
Alison @ Oopsey Daisy says
This is fantastic! Great idea to breathe some new life into an old couch! Thanks for sharing at oopsey daisy!