Things You'll Need
Paper
Pencil
Measuring tape
Fabric
Scissors
Pins
Sewing machine
Protect the armrest on a leather couch by making an armrest cover using basic sewing skills. All you need is the ability to sew a straight-stitch on a sewing machine using a pattern based on the size of your couch. This simple do-it-yourself project takes less that one hour to sew two covers for your couch. A washable fabric lets you wash the covers if they become soiled, giving you a low-maintenance way to protect your furniture.
Step 1
Hold a piece of paper on the front of the armrest and trace the outline for a pattern that fits the curve over the top of the couch arm. Extend the sides of the pattern to a length of 6 to 8 inches, and add 1/2 inch around the entire perimeter of the pattern for seam allowances. Cut a piece of fabric using the pattern for the front of the cover.
Step 2
Measure the length from the bottom of one side of the pattern, over the top curve and down the opposite side with a flexible measuring tape to determine the width of fabric for the fabric cover.
Step 3
Determine the length of the armrest cover by measuring from the front of the arm to about 4 inches from the couch back. Cut the arm cover out of the fabric using the width measurements from the front cover and the length measurement of the arm.
Step 4
Pin one width side of the arm cover to the front cover so the right sides of the fabric are together. Sew the two pieces of fabric together with a 1/2-inch seam. Clip the seam salvage around the curve at a 1/2-inch spacing so the seam lies flat.
Step 5
Turn the raw edge around the bottom and back of the cover ΒΌ inch to the wrong side of the fabric and pin to hold the fabric. Turn the edge another 1/4 inch to the wrong side and pin it to hold it in place. Sew the hem with a straight stitch to secure it.
Step 6
Repeat each step to make an armrest cover for the other arm of the couch.
Jennifer Loucks
Jennifer Loucks has been writing since 1998. She previously worked as a technical writer for a software development company, creating software documentation, help documents and training curriculum. She now writes hobby-based articles on cooking, gardening, sewing and running. Loucks also trains for full marathons, half-marathons and shorter distance running. She holds a Bachelor of Science in animal science and business from University of Wisconsin-River Falls.