We talked about how to measure fabric size for your chair reupholstery project last time. In our second “Measuring Upholstery” series, we will tackle getting the correct sizes for your sofa. A threadbare, old long couch looks tacky in the middle of your living room, but you can turn it into a lovely piece once you refurbish its usable parts. By replacing the aged and dirty fabric, your sofa can blend into your interiors, looking brand new.
Any upholstery project requires good measurements for the fabric to fit the sofa. If this is your first DIY project, we’ll guide you through a step-by-step process for recording your couch’s dimensions. You’ll need a pen, paper, a calculator, and, of course, a measuring tape.
Start Taking The Measurements
Measuring a sofa is complex, but it’s still a DIY project. Follow these steps to get the most accurate measurements.
Don’t Let the Project Intimidate You
Taking dimensions is easy as long as you know what needs to be recorded. Get your measuring tape and measure the size side by side, taking the longest width. Measure the highest point of the sofa, then down to the floor. You want to get the total height and width of your couch.
Remove the Cushions
Remove all the cushions to get the depth/length of the seat and back area. If you’re reupholstering your cushions, you’ll measure them separately. Put the cushions aside until we’re ready to measure them. If the cushions aren’t removable, skip this step.
List the Parts of the Sofa
There are many parts to a couch. It’s easier if you list each part and measure it individually. Make sure you indicate the size in width x length. Some areas you need to measure are the seat, the arms, and the back. If your sofa has skirts, measure them, too.
Measure the Cushions
Measure the cushions’ width, height, and thickness and write down both measurements. If your cushions have a fabric covering, remove the slipcover first. You can also measure the slipcover’s seams if you’re only reupholstering the fabric, not the foam.
Add an Extra Three Inches
After you jot down all these measurements, add them and include an extra three inches. If the total reaches a decimal point, round it to the nearest foot. This will give you an idea of how much fabric you will use.
Choose Your Upholstery Fabric
Your measurements will be calculated depending on the material you choose. Why will this vary? An upholstery fabric in solid colors won’t be hard to fit in the sofa, but if you have selected bold patterns, you must consider its repeat.
Measuring Upholstery for a Couch Can Be Easy
Remember, in taking these measurements, you only have one goal: to have enough fabric to cover your reupholstery project. You might want to go a little over the exact number; this is safer than underestimating the dimensions.
Luckily, some classic measurements may guide you in determining your sofa’s size. Most are based on a 54″ wide fabric, a standard width for sofas. For example, a 7 ft long sofa with back cushions and non-padded arms will need 11 yards of fabric, and a 6 ft curved-back sofa with upholstered arms will need 10 yards. You can look at our yardage calculator for more examples.
You can scale down the size of the pattern on graph paper to create a graphical representation. This helps you visualize how to put your gathered measurements together or whether they will fit appropriately.
If you will handle this measuring upholstery project yourself, make sure you have the necessary tools to remove the original fabric and insert the new one easily. Some tools you need are pliers, seam rippers, and slender scissors.
Image Source: Uratex, High Design Upholstery
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