Thursday, August 29, 2013

Recliner Couch Cushion Recover

A long time ago, like over 10 years ago, I inherited a sturdy Lane recliner love seat from my granny. I also inherited her washer and dryer and 2 lamps. What can I say? I was setting up a new household. These things were practical. 

I did inherit her china too. I forgot that in the practical list.

So, I am not really sure how old this love seat is, but the mechanics work great and the structure is still sound-even after 10 years and 4 kids.

The fabric, however, was a different story. It started fraying and wearing through on the seat cushions. Everywhere else was just fine. It became an unsightly mess of holes and couch stuffing. Not cool.

I decided to recover the cushions. How hard could it be? I bought some cream colored, heavy fabric and hand sewed it on. It seemed like a good idea at the time. After all, cream goes with everything.

Except 4 kids and a roofer husband. Cream doesn't mix well with either of those.

It didn't take long for it to look cruddy, but I had put time and effort into it, so it just stayed looking cruddy. Until this summer. Then I decided enough was enough and I began to brainstorm on how to give this recliner a face lift.

I meandered my way over to the fabric store and perused the swatches and bolts. I was not going to make a "everything matches cream" mistake again. I was looking for a dark blue in a heavy fabric. I felt up some corduroys and broadcloths and then I came across the denims. 

Perfect solution. Dark blue, sturdy, washable. I bought myself a couple yards and went home for more brainstorming. How was I going to make this re-upholstory job look better than the last job?

It took me a few weeks, but I figured out a plan. And it worked like a dream.

I cut two pieces the shape of the tops of the cushions. Then I measured the perimeter of the top cushion edge and the depth of the cushion. 

 I cut four strips of fabric long enough to go around the perimeter of each cushion (109") and deep enough to cover the depth of each cushion (8-1/2" with seam allowances).

 I sewed the ends of 2 strips together for each cushion cover. This made a strip of fabric 109" long.

 I put a narrow 1/2" hem along the entire bottom edge of the combined strips.

 I turned under and sewed the not connected edge of the strips. 


 I then attached the strips to the upper piece of the cushion cover-the one shaped like the cushion.
Carefully reinforcing the corners, and then stitching again about 1/4" from the edge of that seam.


The outside of the almost finished product.
 Lastly, I stretched and sewed 1/4" elastic along the entire front bottom edge of the cover to help hold the cover in place on the cushion. 




 Quite an improvement, wouldn't you agree?

What home projects have you tackled lately? Were they a success or a failure?