For example, if your armrest is 8 inches (20 cm) across, add 1 inch (2. 5 cm) for the seam allowance to get 9 inches (23 cm).
It’s completely up to you to determine how long to make your armrest covers. In general, they usually cover the curve of the armrest and extend down by at least a few inches. For example, to make the armrest come halfway down your sofa, your measurement might be 12 inches (30 cm) long.
If your measurements were 9 by 12 inches (23 cm × 30 cm), cut the fabric to that size. If you can’t find fabric that matches your sofa, choose fabric with a pattern or color that compliments your sofa. Select material that’s the same weight and texture as your sofa’s fabric.
Make a mark at the top of the fabric in the center so you know where to line up the finished piece later. Remember to do this on the wrong side of the fabric. If it’s tricky to mark the fabric without it moving around, insert pins through the fabric into the armrest to keep it from slipping.
If your sofa has a pattern, line up the fabric piece so it matches the direction of the sofa’s pattern.
The shape of your top fabric piece depends on the style of your sofa. Curved armrests usually take more fabric than square or boxy armrests.
The right sides of the fabric should be facing each other so you can turn them out once you finish sewing. Although you can try to around the sides of the front piece, this is tricky to do since you’ll be easing the fabric around the curve.
Use thread that matches the color of your sofa’s fabric. Gathering the fabric as you sew the curve is called easing and it prevents the fabric from puckering at 1 end of the curve.
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.
If you don’t want to pin the fabric in place, fold the fabric and iron it. Creasing the fabric holds stops it from unfolding as you sew.
For an even tighter fit, pin the back edges of the cover to the sofa.
If you need to wash the armrest covers, read the care instructions that came with your sofa. If you’re using a different type of fabric, read the bolt or care instructions for the fabric you used.
