Secrets of a Sectional Slipcover
| April 19, 2011 | Posted by Jessie under Living Room, Sewing Projects, Tips and Tricks |
There are some really soupy secrets behind the beauty of this beast:
Ok, well maybe nto all that soupy but there are definitely some tips, tricks, and stories I want to share with you all. Sorry again about all the wrinkles. I am so lazy and have had no motivation to steam it yet. I will get to that. Some day.
Secret #1
I didn’t cover the whole couch. Yep, it’s a fake out. The back of the sectional is nekked. To keep our costs down, I decided to just pull the fabric about a foot down in the back and velcro it into place. The couch will probably be in this spot as long as we own it and if we would happen to decide to move it up into the loft {where the back would be visible from the staircase} I will just get a few more yards of fabric and make a section to cover its bare back.
Secret #2
The skirt is also a fake out. It only goes about 5 inches under the cushions. Again to save money. Have you figured out we are cheap yet? The cusions are heavy enough {especially with our dessert-loving booties hanging out on it all the time} to keep the skirt in place. If for some reason it does start to slip, I’ll grab some more velcro and lock it in place.
Secret #3
Another money-saving short cut we took was to leave three of the cream pillows from the original couch instead of covering them as well. We like the cream color and the micro-fiber fabric actually doesn’t bother me at all so we’re leaving it as is.
Tips and Tricks:
- I started with the cushions first. The cording adds a few extra steps so I wanted to get those out of the way first. I only did cording on the top of the cushions {another cheapo secret} to save time and money. I think they look just as good as they would with it on both sides.
- The odd-shaped long cushion is a beast to get in and out so if you are working on something like this, double and triple check all your seams before you put it in. You don’t want to pull that thing in and out a bunch. Especially by yourself. It’s not fun. Pudge was clearly no help.
- Reuse as much as possible. I pulled out cording and zippers from the original cushions to reuse in the slip. It saves money and only takes a few minutes to cut those suckers out. I used the finished edge of the fabric for the hemmed bottom of my skirt. This saved the time of hemming the bottom and looks perfectly finished as is.
- I hope you found that helpful! I would be happy to answer any questions about all of my short cuts:)
- One more pic for some eye candy. Oh, and those cute accent pillows? Tutorials coming on those tomorrow.
- I’ve linked this up with Simple Home Life and
Wow this looks beautiful! You did a wonderful job
Thanks, Lauren!
So glad I found your blog and this post! I have the same kind of sectional and was wondering if there was an affordable way to recover it. My sectional is looking a bit tired, if ya know what I mean. You inspire me!
Ours was starting to look a little ragged also (with Pudge’s dirty paws all over it) and the slipcover definitely did the trick! I’m glad you found this helpful:) Good luck with yours!
It looks great! I love the pleating on the skirt. Leaving the back uncovered was an awesome idea. Thanks for the motivation to try recovering our old sofa, which I’ve been meaning to do for months.
Thanks, Julia! Good luck with your sofa! Slipcovers can make such a difference:)
Love it! I wish I had the guts to make one for my sectional. I have a link party tomorrow..would love for you to come join!
Thanks, Jacqueline! I will definitely link up!
Wow! That looks great! Thanks for sharing your money saving tips too!
Hi, friend! I’m admiring all your creative posts here so can you please share them with us at the Creative Bloggers’ Party & Hop? The link is at http://www.homemakeronadime.com/2011/04/creative-bloggers-party-hop-042411.html.
Thank you so much
Thanks, I linked up!
I hopped on over from Homemaker on a dime. You did a wonderful job on the sofa!! Sectionals are tough too! I am a new blogger, and now I am an admirer of you and a follower!!
Thank you! It was definitely a challenge, but I really enjoyed doing it. I’m glad you enjoy the blog:)
I found you at Tip Junkie. I am so happy I checked out your post! I have a sofa I want to cover and needed some tips on how to conserve my fabric for it. Thanks so much!
Thanks, Relynn! I’m glad it was helpful:) Good luck with your sofa!
I LOVE your post and Love your blog!
I would LOVE to have you link up to my Whassup Wednesday Par-Tay! And I have a party button you can grab and put on your blog so your friends can come too:) You ahve a good chance at being featured!
If you are NOT already a Follower of Elements Interiors….HELLEEERRRR!
Click that Google Follow button and YOU will be ENTERED in my
“Its a SURPRISE!” GIVEAWAY to be announced EVERY MONDAY! Yeppers! You read it right,
a Winner EVERY MONDAY!!! With GREAT Goodies you wont want to miss!!
Hope to see ya at Whassup Wednesday!!!
*ENTER LINKY PAR-TAY Here! *
xoxokara
im following
Thanks so much, Kara! I just linked up:)
[...] And the sectional: [...]
I love your tips and tricks! Really appreciate you sharing this great post with us at the Creative Bloggers’ Party & Hop.
[...] Secrets of a Sectional Slipcover | Imperfectly PolishedDescription : I would be happy to answer any questions about all of my short cuts:). One more pic for some eye candy. Oh, and those cute accent pillows? Tutorials coming on those tomorrow. I’ve linked this up with Simple Home Life and …http://imperfectlypolished.com .. [...]
i’m grateful to you for your site, here’s my problem i have a 5 piece sectional alomg w/2ottomans it’s the corner pieces that i am having trouble figuring out the cushions(top&bottom on all pieces do not separate from base) i am using a printed fabric ,can you help me please? mahalo