how much fabric do you need to reupholster a sofa

[CollinDella]

Determining the amount of fabric required to reupholster a sofa depends on several key factors, including the sofa's size, its style, and the type of fabric you choose. Estimates are typically based on a standard fabric width of 54 inches.

As a general guideline, a 6-foot sofa with an attached pillow back requires approximately 16 yards of fabric, while the same size sofa with a loose pillow back needs around 18 yards. For a larger, 8-foot sofa, you can expect to need about 18 yards for an attached back design and up to 22 yards for a loose pillow back style.

It is crucial to consider the fabric's pattern when calculating your total yardage. Solid-colored fabrics are the most straightforward, but if you select a material with a pattern, you will need extra fabric to ensure the pattern matches correctly across the different sections of the sofa. For a small pattern repeat of 2 to 14 inches, you should add about 15% more fabric. For larger repeats, such as 28 to 36 inches, you may need to purchase as much as 30% extra fabric to accommodate the necessary pattern matching. These figures are estimates, and for the most accurate measurement, you should consult with a professional upholsterer.