Yes....you read that right Polar Fleece!
Hard to believe....easier than you would think to do!
The couch and love seat are gorgeous....sadly not mine....the story is amusing...(at least to me).
Read on to learn about "thinking outside the bolt....fabric bolt that is!
Since I have been so busy with school, new projects just aren't happening at my house this week....probably this month!
I decided to share some past projects that are BB (before blog) so you will have to pardon the photos and the fact that I don't have any before pictures!
I wasn't thinking like a blogger a year ago!
This beautiful love seat is paired with a matching sofa in the upstairs of the darling 2 bedroom expansion home of my niece and nephew.
Obviously, it wasn't always beautiful....in fact it looked a lot like this!
Only worse...it had seen a lot of fun :) and was showing it!
Since I don't have any photos of the process,
I have written you a little screen play of the story of the transformation from ugly to amazing!
Act 1:
Scene 1:
The upstairs of T's house
T: How am I ever gonna get those ugly things down the stairs and then what do I do with them...what a pain"
Me: Maybe you should just burn them! But what do you want for furniture up here?T: I want seating but something sort of modern and really comfy....I love these pink and gray pillows from Target and like the idea of grays and pink.Me: So would you still have a couch and the love seat?T: Yeah....but it will be a long time before that is in the budget...Maybe Craig's List?Me: What if we tried to recover these?T: I HATE THEM! Look at the skirts....they are just awful!Me: Let's go rip off the skirts and see what they look like!
Act 1:
Scene 2:
Still in the upstairs
Me: Here...just take the scissors and start on the skirt of the love seat...
T: Are you sure?
Me: What difference does it make....they can't look any worse!
T: rippppppp...this is fun!
Me: You know....once you get the skirt off they don't look so big....
T: Can you meet me at the fabric store next week?
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| West Elm |
Inspiration: The Henry Sofa from West Elm
cost: $699 times 2 for both sofa and love seat!
YIKES
Act 2:
Scene 1:
At the fabric store
T: I got here before you and I am bummed....I want something soft and gray, maybe velvet. There just isn't anything. Let's go to another store.Me: Yeah, but let's look around and get some ideas of what makes sense. Look at all the fabrics and get some feel for something you like even if it isn't upholstery. What about wool?
T: Too scratchy
Me: What about denim?
T: Yuck......ohhhhh! Look at this soft gray stuff....it is exactly the feel....what is it?
Me: POLAR FLEECE...but really nice Polar Fleece...how much is it?
T: 8 bucks a yard...but it is really wide! Do you think it would work?
Me: Who knows.....but I bet it would....let's DO IT!
Act 2:
Scene 2:
Still At the fabric store
Me: We want 12 yards of this...is there enough on the bolt?
Clerk: it looks like there is...what are you going to do with it?
T: Cover a couch and love seat...won't it be beautiful?
Clerk: That will never work.....do you still want it?
Me: Yup...it is just what we want!
Clerk: (with disdainful expression) Okay then....
Act 3:
Back at the houseMontage:
Ripping, cutting, stapling, sewing, laughing, swearing, prying, stretching......
I had never thought of using polar fleece to cover furniture, but it was probably the easiest fabric I have ever used for this!
It stretches and is very forgiving....and sitting on the couches feels like sinking in to a wonderful, cozy blanket!
In fact....when my grand-niece sits here, you usually find her tucked in behind the cushions!
Cost: Under $100 for the couch and love seat
Time: wellll.....a bunch....probably all told....20 hours
Results: Priceless....given the fun we had!
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| Slipcovers From Sheets |
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| Leather Look Table |
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| Almost No Sew Cushions |
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| Office Chair Redo |
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Genius! I will try polar fleece on the garage sale chair I just scored. Your sofas look fabulous, love them!
ReplyDeleteI would never have thought of using polar fleece, but it would be nice and cosy. You've done a great job!!!
ReplyDeleteLove the theatrical twist...maybe you could help write my next show...;)
ReplyDeleteI will keep this awesome idea in mind. I never would have thought of using polar fleece. It certainly would be more plush than micro fiber.
ReplyDeleteThat's SUCH a smart DIY! I would have never, ever, ever thought of it! Can't wait to remember it in the future :)
ReplyDeleteI am thinking you are right up my alley. Going to find out a way to follow you right now : ) Share your ideas on my Monday linky parties....you are right up my readers allies. Love, Me
ReplyDeleteI cannot find a way to follow you under, "My faithful followers". I have re-loaded page but nothing comes up. What am I missing? Love, Me
ReplyDeleteI'm impressed. I tried to recover a couch once, and it was a complete disaster.
ReplyDeleteThat is absolute awesomesauce! I love it.
ReplyDeleteFeatured you! Love, Me
ReplyDeletewww.youaretalkingtoomuch.com
What a great job...and such a creative use of that material!!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for linking to "20 Below Thursday"! :)
christinasadventures.com
Nice job - looks great!
ReplyDeleteSure looks cozy! thanks for sharing and joining my newbie party.
ReplyDeleteGreat sofa and post! Thank you so much for sharing your post at Savvy HomeMade Monday! I hope you will come back and party again!
ReplyDeleteSwinging by for the first time via Debbiedoo's Newbie Linky Party! When you're a DIYer, you do what feels good and works for you. Great sofa fabric choice for that very reason!! Thanks for sharing. I'm now a follower. Feel free to swing by my blog anytime .
ReplyDeletePolar fleece!? Wow! Great results! Looks sexy in that steel grey.
ReplyDeleteWow your couch turned out gorgeous! I love the fleece. I'd love it if you'd check out the giveaway I'm having for a Dremel Saw Max on my blog!
ReplyDeleteThe only bad thing about this post is that you can't sit on my couch and love seat that Mary and I did! It's the most AMAZING....COMFORTABLE.....PERFECT furniture! Mary, your dialogue was spot on! The only thing that you eased up on was the lady clerk's dissatisfaction of your idea.....she was...hmm...well....not nice! Ha! Little did she know! I would totally recommend this to anyone for anything. These couches are sat on everyday by multiple people. Thanks for the transformation of my intended Bon fire pile Mary!
ReplyDeleteWow, I'm so impressed by your innovative approach. Recovering is so hard & this sofa looks so classy & professional. Fleece, huh? I can't believe it!? Thanks for being so fearless!
ReplyDeleteWarmly, Michelle
How talented you are! Very creative.
ReplyDeleteI have a fleece blanket that I stretch over my sofa, tuck in at the corners and it is quite nice and even cool in the summer. So I decided I wanted to recover my sofa with fleece because I love sewing with fleece. It comes in a zillion colors and patterns, its wide, not too expensive, and kind of stretchy. But I was afraid to take the big step. Now that I have read this, I'm glad to know I'm not insane and I'm going to do it! Thanks for the inspiration.
ReplyDelete