New Life For An Old Couch

We picked up a nice couch at the thrift store that we hoped would last a while because betwee 4 teenagers and four nephews who while in their late 20's early 30's do not understand the concept of sitting down properly it takes a lot of abuse. It is constantly having someone plop their not inconsiderable weight down like they are trying to subdue the couch. Food, drinks and assorted animals do not help. After six months some of the cushions were showing the wear and tear. One seat cushion and one back cushion were pretty much beyond help but we wanted the couch to at least last until the move so I went looking through my stash of fabrics. I found some rusty red denim that I had picked up that would work with the couch.

The bottom cushion was mostly stained but the fabric was in decent shape so I decided to just make some covers for it. I measured between the piping and added 1" seam allowance. Then I ironed each side folding over the 1/2" seam allowance.

I put the zipper foot on because I intended to sew close to the piping. I could have taken off the front panel and sewed it in that way but I wanted the extra stability. Also this way if the piece got to stain rip off the stitches and replace with another piece easily.

 I did three sides because nothing is perfect and I wanted to be able to adjust the last side if it was too big or too small.

I refolded the edge and ran a quick iron to give me a new crease to work with.

 When you are done you have a new looking cushion. I did both sides so I could flip if needed. The material matched well. Now for the back cushions.

That was a totally different situation because they had been attached from the middle to the back of the soda and one too many wrestling matches had torn one off completely. The others were still attached but I did not want to put the cushion alone on one end. I removed the one on the other end so I could make matching pillows. These were going to be done completely from scratch.

After measuring the length 18" and width 16" an depth 3" of the pillow I decided the easiest way to do this was take a long strip of material that was the length 18 " (no seam allowance) x 2 plus the side width  3" x 2 then I will need one seam so added 1" . The total strip was 17" x 39". I then cut two end strips that were 19" by 4".


First I pinned the length closed using the 1/2 seam allowance then sewed it shut, this showed me where the middle end seam would be. I then placed a pin where the other center was.

 I then pinned a strip to the middle and marked in 1'2 both sides to know where the corner was going to be. I sewed it and double tacked the ends.

 I found that if I folded it diagonally and creased it then pinned the corner carefully and begin to sew to the other end where I had placed the chalk mark of 1/2"

First fold

 Then fold back diagonally

 Line up the long side and make sure that the fold underneath is clear.

Then pin and sew. I sewed in one direction all around this made moving the material easier.

 On one side I left a gap of about 7 inches in the center of one long side in order to turn the material inside out and stuff.

Once it was turned i restuffed with the material from the old cushion then pinned and hand sewed the opening close. 

 When finished you have a sofa that looks fresh and different. And yes it did last us through the move.

Skirt To Top With Lace Sleeve

I am very found of broomstick skirts or really any skirt that is really gathered because there is so much material to play with and a plus size woman can get away with using a smaller size. In this case the skirt was an XL and my sister wears a 4-5XL. The material was white and navy but there were spots so I put it in some yellow dye, and took off the waistband.

I wanted something with sleeves in a kimono style but the top would be too short if I tried that from the top, so I decided to try something different. I cut the top straight across then measure down six inches come in straight. I already had the bust measurement plus 3 inches so knew were the line would end. I then angled the cut out to the bottom to give an a-line shape. We wanted a loose flowy top but not too loose. 

I forgot to take picture of the next step but all I did was measure 4 inch out from the center then measure from that pin to the edge of the sleeve (18") then cut a rectangle of lace 14" wide by 18" long. I like doing it this way because I can make the sleeve as wide as I need by adjusting the width of the lace without trying to force the fabric to the right size. It it is too narrow take off and redo. You can also taper the width if you want the ends more narrow or wider. I sewed that to the sleeve and finished the edges with a serger because the material unravels.

I finished it off with yellow binding all around the inside and the end of the arms. I did this instead of folding and hemming because there is nothing more annoying then a rough edge irritating you.

It actually looks good with a white or yellow bra or better yet a strapless. This took very little time and makes a nice summer top.