How to Replace Sofa Cushions & Back Pillows

The Disassembly

• 1

  Take apart your sofa’s cushions and back pillows. Take out the stuffing and turn the covers inside out.

• 2

  Purchase the same type of stuffing and foam used in the cushions and back pillows if they are no longer in good condition. If they are reusable, use them again.

• 3

  Toss them in the wash or refresh them with a good cleaning using an upholstery deep cleaner.

• 4

  Toss them in the dryer or set them in a covered area outside to air dry.

• 5

  Use the old coverings as a template or pattern for the new fabric.

Cutting the Parts

• 6

  Place the old foam pieces onto the new foam and trace their outline onto the new foam with a permanent marker.

• 7

  Cut out each piece along the lines through the foam with an electric carving knife. Set each cushion aside.

• 8

  Spread the new fabric on the work surface and fold it to create two layers.

• 9

  Lay the old sofa cushion and back pillow covers onto the fabric. Mark their outline 1 inch from the edge of the old covers onto the new fabric with a fabric marker, permanent marker or simply outline it with straight pins.

• 10

  Cut out the new covers along the lines.

Sew the New Covers

• 11

  Follow the same pattern as the old cushion covers. Lay the fabric pieces with right sides together and pin the edges of the fabric all around. Sew a zipper along the back seam if the original cover had a zipper. Try recycling the old zippers and sew them into the new covers.

• 12

  Snip off the excess fabric at each corner between the seam and the fabric edge. This fabric tends to bunch up at the corners.

• 13

  Press the seams flat and then turn the covers inside out.

Stuff the Seat Cushions and Back Pillows

• 14

  Match up each piece of foam to the right seat cushion.

• 15

  Push the foam into the seat cushion all the way into each corner. Smooth the fabric cover over the foam.

• 16

  Stuff the back pillow covers with the same type of stuffing as the original ones. Push the stuffing evenly throughout the cover until the back pillow has a good shape.

• 17

  Sew the opening closed or zip the zipper closed. Place your new seat cushions and back pillows on your sofa.