Craft help for waterproof sofa cover

jimmi

Hi I'm not too sure wether this is in the right place..
We're getting a new fabric sofa soon.
We have cats (scratch proofing advice would also be great fully received) & young children.

Our youngest still has accidents.

I was thinking perhaps of using fleece throws/blankets which we already have & sewing a waterproof material into the back of them, then laying the throws over the seating.

Do you think they would wash ok without either material easily tearing please?
And
What material do you think I should use as a waterproof backing please (the only types I can think of are oilcloth which I can't see seeing on nicely, & mattress protectors- which could be costly & don't tend to wash & dry very well)
Thankyou!

Hard_Up_Hester

You could maybe try a shower curtain.
Hester

TravellingAbuela

I was going to suggest just laying Drynites sheets on the seating, under the throws, but it would probably work out more expensive. Or do what my DD did to protect her youngest's mattress from accidents and use puppy training pads instead! Same size, much cheaper and do the job just as well!

SouthCoastSkies

We have four cats & recently bought new sofas. Like you we wanted to try to stop them scratching, so we bought some throws & made sure that they covered everything, right down to the floor. It seems to have stopped any scratching behaviour for over a year now !

We bought quite thick throws, with no raised pattern, don't know if that made a difference. We also invested in a huuuuge scratching post that we placed by the sofa nearest to the door. When I say huge, it's enormous:

http://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/cats/scratching_posts/scratching_posts/471837

jackyann

Fabricuk.com have a great range of fabrics.
Check out their waterproof range. I have used the plain 4 oz fabric (3.99/m) and the breathable (4.99/m).
You can get good value fleece or similar from them to back it.

Alternatively look at the quilted waterproof (6.99/m) which you could use just as it is. I have used this to make bags. You would, I think have to edge this, they also sell good strong tape.

They are all 150 cms wide,. They do charge for samples but they are a good size so you get a very good idea of what you are ordering

westcoastscot

I was going to suggest fabricuk as well - they have some fantastic waterproof materials that don't *look* waterproof as such. The microfibre ones are quite good, and as jackyann said the quilted ones are quite nice too.
I've also used croft mill a lot and they currently have some with doggy footprints, and camo etc
https://www.croftmill.co.uk/products/waterproof-fabrics-products.html

jimmi

Wow I wasn't expecting to get so many replies!
Thankyou!!!

I hadn't thought of a shower curtain. Perhaps to slippy though? Certainly a fab idea!!

I'll definitely take a look on that website, Thankyou!

I had thought of a micro fleece type material but wondered how waterproof it is?

Earlier I found a material online called Procare which sounds ideal but only seems to be sold in America which is frustrating.

I'll let you know how I get on. 😀