Make Do and Mend

buxtonrabbitgreen

Mellika wrote: »

I love this thread!

And it just reminded me... We got our sofa set (one 3-seater, one chair and one footstool) from Freecycle. It is SO comfortable but the cover is not only falling apart but also just plain ugly.

I want to make plain covers that will just go over the top and I can take off and wash whenever I want to, but I've no idea how to do it! I've never done more than just darn socks (which Iactually enjoy) but I really need to do this soon.

Can anyone help?

Meli xx

I have a comfortable old 2 seater sofa that needs re covering too. I keep looking at new sofas but can't afford one. I was wondering whether to bite the bullet and take the cover apart and use it as a pattern to make a new one. It is very worn particularly on the arms and though I have sewn them up a few times there is now nothing to sew to.

Mellika

Ours are very tight together (the cushions etc) so I really don't wanna mess with that, which is why I want to just sew a plain cover to put over the top - like a "sofa glove" That way I can wash it whenever I want.

I don't like telling my nephew not to put his shoes or mucky hands on the sofa, I just want him to be able to do whatever he likes on them...

Jolaaled

Hi Mellika.
I think what i'd do, if i didn't want to make individual cushion covers up, is to cut and pin the fabric into the desired shape.
Do this, by actually placing it on the sofa and then cutting/pinning as you go, but leaving lots of extra margins for the hemming.
Take a lot of time to do this.
Then, when you're absolutely satisfied, then tack together the seams that you've marked with your pins.

Then you should be ok to do the final sew on the machine.
you could use fabric that doesn't require hemming e.g. fleecy stuff, to make it much easier, but it depends on how you want it to look.

You could also add velcro for the long seams (for example, those down the long corners or edges of the sofa), to make removal easier and a more snug fit.

If you chose a fabric that already has a bit of stretch to it, then the fit will be better too.

Good luck!

exlibris

We had to change the 3piece suite last year. It had previously had some of the springs replaced and was k******ed. We found a firm that made suites and ordered an extra metre of the fabric too. I have made arm covers for the two chairs which are used most as I didn't like the covers the firm would have made. I hope this suite will see us out. It is the 3rd suite we have had in nearly 40 yrs.

buxtonrabbitgreen

I was just looking at Laredoute and they have chair and sofa covers (glove type) from £16.20 maybe cheaper than buying the material. But would anybody be so kind and look for me as I dont know what size to order. Is it the 2x2 for a 2 seat sofa. I don't want to order the wrong one. It is in the sale section under homewares. https://www.laredoute.com

Aril

Still making do and mending here:D Due to the gorgeous weather we're having today I have dutifully taken in and up two pairs of trousers that I picked up very cheaply in the sales for the small person. This approximately extends the wearing time of each pair by double so is worth the hour or two spent. Am also in the process of changing the lining of one old skirt into a petticoat which can then be worn under two rather seethrough skirts I bought from the jumble sale for 10p each:j
Earlier in the year I wrestled a pair of far too small pjs from the small person's clutches. They have Dennis the Menace on them and he's a huge fan. I cut out the pictures from them and stitched them onto a black felted jumper of mine...all filled with a pad from the hospice shop and hey presto a new cushion for the princely sum of 30p!!
As I've posted on other threads we are midway through redoing our kitchen at present...OH is tiling right now! We've reused all the original carcases [bought replacement doors only], used a sink/knobs and lights that we got from freecycle and he's just made a shelf out of the leftover worktop for the BM to stand on.
No doubt there's more but just can't recall them at the moment!
Aril

Mellika

buxtonrabbitgreen wrote: »

I was just looking at Laredoute and they have chair and sofa covers (glove type) from £16.20 maybe cheaper than buying the material. But would anybody be so kind and look for me as I dont know what size to order. Is it the 2x2 for a 2 seat sofa. I don't want to order the wrong one. It is in the sale section under homewares. https://www.laredoute.com

I think it's like that, yes. 1x1 = 1 seat, 2x2 = 2 seat, 3x3 = 3 seat.

No footstool though

Olliebeak

This weekend I've had the sewing machine out. I'm a 'blitz' sewer - once the machine's on the table, it stays there for about 2 weeks and I tackle every sewing job I can think of - then it goes away for another 6 months or so.

I've replaced the open-end zip in my lovely fleece hoody jacket, made myself a new top and skirt for work (uniform!), a new top for my holidays and got the material ready for a pair of curtains for the bathroom window - all from material that I already had stashed!

buxtonrabbitgreen

Hi Melilka
Well I ordered it £20 inc postage. I will report back on what I think about it when it arrives. If it is any good then I will take off the old cover and attempt to make a new one. I will at least not be left with nothing on it.

Mellika

buxtonrabbitgreen wrote: »

Hi Melilka
Well I ordered it £20 inc postage. I will report back on what I think about it when it arrives. If it is any good then I will take off the old cover and attempt to make a new one. I will at least not be left with nothing on it.

Let me know how it goes. I might get them anyway and give up on the stool, or make a cover in a similar colour :think: