April 26, 2012

now you really can take a seat

For those of you just joining in, you can catch up on the sofa saga with part 1, part 2, part 3 and part 4.

I'm not a tease, no matter what you may have heard about me. But I feel like I've been dangling a carrot in front of you for too long.

Now technically I can't call this 100% complete as it is missing one rather important piece (the cushion is unexpectedly delayed) but I couldn't wait any longer. And anyway, my Polly Perfect card expired long ago, so I figure its better to show you real life, right?

There are so many great tutorials out there for reupholstering. Linda, Tiffany and Erin can all school you on the ins and outs. So I won't reinvent the wheel, but I will share some of what I learned about the process. (I'm going to go ahead and pretend that you are going to actually read this list and not just scroll thru to see the final pictures.)

It was easier than I thought. This is not to say that it was an easy project, but I had imagined bruises and cuts from ripping out old fabric and -not kidding - 3,000 staples. I thought there would be screaming, crying, punching, cussing. (Obviously I have a very dramatic imagination). But I made it thru with only one small cut. I did cuss through the whole thing, but I pretty much cuss thru everything so that's not unusual. I did find though that there were a wicked number of opportunities for 'That's what she said...' in upholstery. But that's a story for another post.

BYOF. That F is for Friend people! There are many areas of this project that are a two-person job. For me at least. I am sure there are master upholsters who can hold the fabric tight with one hand on both ends while stapling. Their friends probably call them 'The Octopus' or something cool like that and they wear hats with funny sayings on them. I am not one of those people. The hubs was a huge help in keeping things taut (that's what she said) while stapling. We were a rockin good team on this project and usually we don't work well together on DIY stuff, so that is a "bold statement" as John Travolta would say.

Upholstery is not a no-sew project. I don't sew, hence me sending out the cushion, but I now think I wanna. After my dear friend Becca (who also designed my blog header) helped me to sew the piping, I realized sewing isn't as intimidating as I always thought. Btw, when I say 'help' I really mean she did everything while I stood over her shoulder yapping in her ear. But it looks fun. I think the trick is figuring out the machine. Once you've got that all you need is time and the fabric world is your oyster!

Foam is a B@*#$. It comes in all different depths and densities. The ladies at the fabric store expect you to be as knowledgeable as they are on the subject and it never seems to want to cooperate. Don't get me started on foam.

All in though, I enjoyed this far more than I anticipated and I'm over the moon with how it turned out. I anticipated an epic failure, when in reality I've saved myself over $600!

So on to the eye candy. Let's remember first were we began.



And here is where we are today.

Sorry for the crooked angle, I was blinded by staring into that crazy window

All taut and piped up. Not bad for an old lady.




I really need to learn how to un-yellow my nighttime pics
So there she is, in all her 95% glory. I'll take some legit beauty shots when the cushion comes in. Does this give you the upholstery DIY bug? I say go for it! You might surprise yourself.

I'm linking up to POWW @ Primitive & Proper 

32 comments:

  1. I'm really impressed. She is a noble beauty and you have every right to be proud. I'm also encouraged by your positive feedback on upholstering but secretly, I'm glad it was still a cuss-worthy project. Please don't shatter all my illusions at once.

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  2. You need to add your name to that list of girls who can!! This is fantastic, and I like to send cushions out for a professional look sometimes. It is lovely and you need a drink! By the way, it is not swearing...it is "contractor lingo"...I speak it too. It tell the project, who's boss.

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  3. Great job Elizabeth! Looks great!

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  4. Great job Elizabeth! How many battle scars do you have? Staples are the worse part, I enjoy the process of upholstery you just have to take your time. Thanks for sharing and the pillows look terrific too.

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  5. You are so brave to do that! Looks great!

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  6. This looks great!!! I'm very impressed and inspired.

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  7. I am so, SO IMPRESSED!!! It looks beautiful and you did an awesome job! Are you ever going to offer room-in-a-box decorating services? I need help. :)

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  8. Great job! I have a couple of upholstery projects around here that I am nervous to attempt. Thanks for the inspiration!

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  9. O.K. Elizabeth, when can you and Luke pick up my 2 wing back chairs that are in desparate need of new faces ? Hey I'll drop them off to you, no need to come up a few houses !!!
    I am sooooo impressed, you did a FANTASTIC JOB !! It looks wonderful, love it...:))

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  10. Well done! You may have just lit a fire under my tush to attempt re-upholstering my own vintage chair I recently bought for $45 bucks. This looks great!

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  11. Looks great Elizabeth! I gotta hand it to you I don't think I'm brave enough to reupholster anything :)

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  12. I'm so impressed - and the stuff about what you learned is hilarious. You definitely make me want to try this!

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  13. that is awesome... really lovely! congratulations, and take a seat!

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  14. Oh, you're no tease and you certainly put out! That is an amazing transformation. I love that it's stretched taut instead of tufted and I think the linen is the perfect fabric (when don't I think linen is the perfect fabric). What a great job you did, especially for your first try.

    On another note, thanks for sending the Liebster my way. I'm honored you would think of me!

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  15. I'm impressed! It looks fantastic! I love Linda's comment about contractor lingo. I wonder how she'd spin some of the language I use while driving?

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  16. UM WOW! You did a fabulous job lady! I have an upholstery project to tackle... it's been waiting for ages, but I just haven't found the perfect fabric yet. That's the #1 thing that is holding me back at this point. I will get it done eventually ;)

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  17. GET OUT!! I'll have to actually read the post later...I skipped to the end I was too excited! You've inspired me...it looks great!!

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  18. YES I have the upholstery DIY bug!!! Holy CRAP this looks AMAZING!!! my mouth literally dropped open when I saw the after picture. It looks so awesomely expensive!!! I'm dying to have a cute, haughty little sofa like that because they just scream "we're classy". And now you get the extra bragging rights of saying you made yours look that gorgeous! Holy crap it looks good!!

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  19. Elizabeth, she is gorgeous! I'm so impressed. I'm not sure I would have had the patience, but wow. Just wow. I love your honesty too, and applaud you for saving your sanity and sending the cushion out. The sofa looks so high end and elegant, but now looks so classy and even comfortable. I love that the fabric you chose almost dresses her down and makes her more family friendly.

    Awesome job! Thanks for the Liebster award, too! I've finally posted about it and passed it along.

    Have a great weekend!

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  20. Turned out so great! Very impressive DIY.

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  21. Absolut LOVE! It looks great! Sewing is easy... start with a pillow, find some tutorials and don't be afraid to mess up! The couch is amazing! Great job!

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  22. Great job! I have tackled a few projects like that one over the years... some more successfully than others.
    The fabric and finish you picked are perfect.

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  23. Fell down a Pinterest hole and ended up here (don't you love the interwebs?) - love your blog, your attitude, your home. Lots of eclectic penny-pinching goodness which is right up my street (metaphorically speaking of course, I have been stalking you this evening but virtually only as I'm in the UK so too far to hide out down the road).

    Anyway, it's a pleasure to 'meet' you. Your sofa is all kinds of awesome.

    xxx

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  24. Oh my goodness Elizabeth! Your sofa looks ah-maxing! I cannot believe you re- upholstered it yourself, very impressive. I am still too nervous to try re-upholstering...maybe one of these days.

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  25. You GO, Girl! She's a beaut and I am so darn proud of you for taking on a project of this magnitude! Woo hoo!
    Camille

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  26. You must be standing back with a huge grin on your face for this accomplishment! It looks great.

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  27. shut the little black door! it looks AWESOME!

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  28. Your couch is a-maz-ing! That is a massive project to tackle & you came through with flying colors! I may have come back to look at the pictures just a few times, I love the fabric you chose. I am actually working on my very first couch right now. I have managed to get the backing fabric off...& that took about 3 hours.....in my shop.....on a day it was 97 degrees....cuss words may have been the ONLY words mustered that day. Your post has given me renewed hope & motivation. Love it :)

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I love it when you sweet talk me! It makes my day!
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