Saturday, September 10, 2011

Sofa Redo-Would You Believe-Polar Fleece?

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?
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 house
Montage:
Ripping, cutting, stapling, sewing, laughing, swearing, prying, stretching......
Success! And I actually like it better than the West Elm inspiration!

 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!
______________________________________________________
Related posts:
Slipcovers From Sheets

Leather Look Table

Almost No Sew Cushions

Office Chair Redo
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21 comments:

Ann @ makethebestofthings said...

Genius! I will try polar fleece on the garage sale chair I just scored. Your sofas look fabulous, love them!

Pam @Threading My Way said...

I would never have thought of using polar fleece, but it would be nice and cosy. You've done a great job!!!

Kim said...

Love the theatrical twist...maybe you could help write my next show...;)

Cathy said...

I 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.

Sarah said...

That's SUCH a smart DIY! I would have never, ever, ever thought of it! Can't wait to remember it in the future :)

Youaretalkingtoomuch.com said...

I 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

Youaretalkingtoomuch.com said...

I 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

Tara @ Tales of a Trophy Wife said...

I'm impressed. I tried to recover a couch once, and it was a complete disaster.

Sandie said...

That is absolute awesomesauce! I love it.

Youaretalkingtoomuch.com said...

Featured you! Love, Me
www.youaretalkingtoomuch.com

Christina said...

What a great job...and such a creative use of that material!!

Thanks so much for linking to "20 Below Thursday"! :)

christinasadventures.com

Anonymous said...

Nice job - looks great!

Debbiedoos said...

Sure looks cozy! thanks for sharing and joining my newbie party.

Erin of HomeSavvyAtoZ.com said...

Great sofa and post! Thank you so much for sharing your post at Savvy HomeMade Monday! I hope you will come back and party again!

MissPrissyville said...

Swinging 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 .

Ricochet said...

Polar fleece!? Wow! Great results! Looks sexy in that steel grey.

Unknown said...

Wow 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!

Tiffany Kovaleski said...

The 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!

Honey I'm Home Blog said...

Wow, 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!

Warmly, Michelle

www.seatcoversunlimited.com/ said...

How talented you are! Very creative.

Anonymous said...

I 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.

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