How much upholstery fabric is needed to make a sofa?

How much upholstery fabric does it take to make a sofa or re-cover a sofa?

To make or reupholster a sofa, approximately 12 to 24 yards of interior decorating fabric is typically needed, based on calculations from multiple projects. Calculating the amount of upholstery fabric required for covering a sofa is a complex process as it involves considering multiple factors. To measure the sofa, the following four steps are usually followed:

1. Start by measuring the sofa's backrest, which is usually the largest area of the sofa. The measurement should be precise and neither too much nor too little.

2. Determine the number of seat cushions, including the lower seat cushions and backrest cushions. The quantity and size of cushions vary depending on the design.

3. Check if the sofa has kick pleats or button tufting.

4. When considering fabric design, take into account whether patterns are being used and ensure that there is enough fabric to accommodate the pattern properly, allowing the attractive parts of the pattern to appear in the center.

The above four steps do not involve calculating the required yardage. They serve as preparatory steps to determine measurements, cushion quantities, kick pleats, button tufting, etc. The actual calculation of fabric yardage comes after these steps.

How to calculate fabric yardage for a sofa?

To calculate the fabric yardage for a sofa, measurements of length, width, and height are taken into account. Additionally, the dimensions of each individual cushion, including length, width, and height, are measured. Some sofas may have only one backrest cushion, while others may have two or three. When measuring, it is important to consider the side panels and add an extra 1-2 inches for seam allowance. Each sofa cushion typically requires two yards of fabric. With these measurements, the total length and width of the sofa can be determined. Measure the length and width of the sofa's front, then measure the inner and outer sides of the arms and any additional sections when the cushions are removed.

How much fabric is needed for an L-shaped sofa?

An L-shaped sofa generally requires 24 to 36 yards of fabric. Some sofas may have a U-shape, but the fabric requirement falls within the range of 24 to 36 yards.

How much fabric is needed for a three-seater sofa?

Typically, using 54-inch wide upholstery fabric as a basis for estimation, the fabric requirements are as follows:

- A two-cushion sofa requires 16 yards.

- A two-cushion loveseat requires 13 yards.

- A three-cushion sofa requires 18 yards.

- A four-cushion loveseat requires 17 yards.

- A six-cushion sofa requires 22 yards.

- A slipper chair requires 14 yards.

How much fabric is needed for a three-person sofa?

A typical three-seater sofa requires approximately 12 to 25 yards of decorative fabric, with fabric costs ranging from $500 to $900.