Hello, I'm new so might not do this right! I've just found mumsnet and have been reading what you've all been saying about loose covers. I'm so shocked and disillusioned with the way the modern world works. No one seems to want to do for others unless money is involved, and reading some of your quotes re:loose covers and how much people are charging, just confirms it. I am a mum, but my daughter is 26 and I have two grandbabyboys - hope that's enough to let me in!!!! What I can do is sew anything, and reading about all your troubles makes me want to live near to you all and come and sew new covers, fix old ones, tell you how to make curtains, cushions, knit, etc... all for yourself and how to save loads of money and not get ripped off. Please contact me for advice, help, suggestions - I'm brimming with a life time of experience and knowledge and would love to share all of that with those that need it. It saddens me that at this point I feel I have to say I'm not asking for anything in return. I'm not a con, a hidden trap or want payment. Please, if I can help in anyway just get in touch. Can I just say now, for the woman who's got a worn out hole in the arm of her sofa, don't try to patch it - it will look awful. What you have to do is un pick that section (usually) rounded at the top, going down to an upright rectangle shape at the bottom, also usually bound within piping too, which is a drag. Cut a new piece out of either, A) a scatter cushion of the same fabric if you have one. This is the best option as the fabric colour will be close, i.e., more faded than material from 'hidden' areas. B) failing that, if the covers are properly made, there should be a widish piece of material called a 'fly' sewn onto the bottom of the back section, and which tucks down the back on the inside, at the bottom of the back piece and joined to the seat piece ON THE INSIDE - of course this is all underneath the seat cushions. This piece of material is designed to tuck down the back of the sofa to keep the back and seat all taut and in place. But, you can do without it - especially if your sofa is the type that has 2/3 heavy seat cushions, known as'squabs'. C) if a lot more fabric is needed, as a last resort, you can take off the fabric at the back and replace it with a plain,toning,length of cotton, say. The fabric at the back is a good shape and very useable as it's cut on what's called the straight of the grain - which means you can happily use it anywhere on your sofa you need to and it won't want to go off travelling in another direction. (think cheap t shirts from the market that seem to twist and won't lie flat to iron) That happens because the thing isn't cut out properly. Obviously, this way only really works if your sofa is placed up against a wall, that way.no one will ever need to know the back isn't the same as the front. I've rambled on, I know, but one last thing. It is possible to make these covers yourself if you know how to get a sewing machine to go in a straight line. Someone said in the conversation that it's a hard and long job. Yes. It does take ages, usually because you're so paranoid about ruining it and wasting money, so you take it on and off and on and off over and over until you're mad. You will need to try it on quite a lot, and all that faffing takes time and is fiddly, but it's not difficult. Take your time, stay calm and be organised. If you are a complete novice but once managed a wrap around skirt, probably best not to attempt any flinging on and ripping techniques just yet. For you, it's best to take apart the existing cover, iron it flat and use it as a pattern, leaving a bit extra around all edges for seam allowance. Unless you really love it, I wouldn't bother with piping either (that's the covered cord in the same fabric that's usually around the back, arms and front of the bit at the bottom, called a valance). It's fiddly to get looking good and even, and on where it should be, and it's a bit old fashioned and stuffy looking, my personal opinion. One last thing, don't ever buy store bought zips for any of this re covering business. They cost a fortune and you have to be clever with a machine to get them in cushion covers and looking good. Go for what's called 'zipping' instead. It's a zip on a roll, cut to what ever length you need, say 5 mtres, and you buy the little metal pulls separately to slide on after you've sewn the zipping length onto your edge ( say, of the back opening). If the thought of anything even remotely zip like terrifies you, then use velcro. It's a good thing, it won't be seen, and in many ways is stronger and more durable than zipping anyway - especially if you have young, leaping children. Hope this helps. Oh, I have gone on. Sorry. Please don't hesitate to ask me questions if you want. Good luck.