Short Cuts for DIY Upholstery

Hello  Friends,

This week (ORC Week 4), we share a sofa makeover with DIY upholstery that goes all super-simple and semi-homemade. Hope you will join us.

Short Cuts for DIY Upholstery

OK. Truth.

When it comes to furniture refinishing, I paint and stain without one iota of fear. I just dive in the deep end and see where it takes me.

But with DIY upholstery.

Ecccck. Not so much.

Then last year, I started small. An ottoman here….a slipcover there…and slowly, the elusive upholstery codes began to break.

And now, here we are.

Before all is said and done, this 1990’s sofa is destined to bust out and shout hello to 2019.

DIY Upholstery – Let’s Get Started

Wrap the Frame

In Part 2 of this series, we will share how easy it is to lift the skirt, expose the awesome legs and wrap the frame.

Yep. Because the current upholstery is in pristine condition, a little batting and fresh fabric wrapped right over the top of the old fabric will erase the plaid frame of shame.

Sorry for the split series, but hubby needs to be here to help handle the frame. It’s a sleeper sofa and heavy like a tank. So Part 2 will focus with greater detail on wrapping the frame without stripping the old fabric.

Slip Covered Seat Cushions and Pillows

But for now, let’s talk fabric and seat cushions and pillows. To make this project REALLY easy, I chose:

• a mid-weight upholstery fabric with a slight backing (for strength)

• one without a repeat, but it does have to be used in the same direction

• one without a visable nap

• and one that doesn’t ravel

Two earlier ORC posts share in more detail about things to consider when buying upholstery fabric. 

• How to Save a Bundle Using Remnants shares about wise fabric choices when considering things like repeats, ravel and naps.

• DIY Slipcover Basics provides more basic detail about using fabric to wrap frames.

Slip Covered Seat Cushions Using a Boxed Envelope

The seat cushions (not the back or side pillows) will be slip covered using a boxed envelope. The seat cushion in the photo below is covered using this super-easy method. The cushions for the sofa need to look more casual so this slip cover without cording on the edges should be perfect.

An earlier post shares the step-by-step tutorial for making the seat cushions. In this post, there is a no-sew option, but for rugged sofa cushions, sewing the envelope is recommended. Click here to see.

Slip Covered Back Pillows with a French Seam

As for the back and side pillows, basic slip covers will cover the plaid fabric. Here is a before and after. 

Please note that a French seam is simply the flat fabric around the sides of the cover.  I used a one-inch seam around these covers, but you may choose any width you like.

In an earlier ORC post, a lengthy step-by-step tutorial for making these slip covers with and without a French seam is provided.  Click here to see.

So we have three different kinds of slip covers going in this sofa makeover. But if you review the earlier posts, you’ll see how each method is really simple. The toughest part will be wrapping the frame, but I still don’t anticipate any problems. In the past year, I learned that fabric is more like paint than I had originally thought.

Hubby will be home this week-end….and the deep dive on the sofa frame will begin.

Hope you will stay tuned.

In the meantime, please keep or share these ideas by PINNING the image below.

Previous Weeks

In case you missed:

Week 1 – Basement Family Room and Bonus Space Plan

Week 2 – How to Refinish a Buffet Using a Paint and Stain Combo

Week 3 – Easy Patterned Wallpaper Using Paint

Week 4 – You are here.

Week 5 – How to Make Low Ceilings Go High

Week 6 – Modern Traditional Bonus Room Reveal

 

Our Hosts

And as always, we extend a special thanks to our gracious hosts, Calling It Home , One Room Challenge and Better Homes and Gardens. And invite you to enjoy over 200 more room renovations,  click One Room Challenge. #oneroomchallenge #ORC #betterhomesandgardens #bhgorc