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Emergency Couch Makeover

by 42 Comments

So, the couch.  Just for fun, here’s the before picture again. 
I could go on and on about how comfortable this couch is or the memories from my childhood playing on this couch; I could talk through the debate of washability (i.e., slipcovering) vs. being able to see the fabulous tufting.  I don’t want to bore you though and I have some fabric calling my name in the other room.  So, here’s what I did, in one night, with an unused twin duvet cover I found in storage and a package of $5 upholstery needles. 
I’m not an expert or a professional, but I’m sharing anyway, just in case you have a well-worn, beautifully tufted couch that you can’t part with either, and you’re looking for an inexpensive, temporary solution. 
What I’ve discovered about reupholstering things is that they look really intimidating until you bend down and start studying how the piece of furniture was covered to begin with.  And it’s basically just big pieces of fabric pulled all the way around the couch and stapled into the wood frame.  I started with the tufting.  I snipped off the old buttons and reused them – love the way the old, worn green buttons coordinate with the new fabric.   I looped a long stretch of kitchen twine through the button
 and threaded both ends through a large upholstery needle (12 inches) and tied a knot to secure the twine to the needle. 
Then, I stretched the fabric evenly over the area where the button would go.  I wanted to make sure  there was enough fabric to dip down into the little valleys.  Since I just put the fabric right over the top of the old upholstery, the grooves and button holes were very evident – this made it so simple.  I pushed the needle straight down into place through the new fabric and into the couch. 
 I flipped the couch onto its front and pulled the needle the rest of the way through from underneath. 
I untied the knot securing the needle to the twine ends.  I left one end of twine threaded and stuck the needle through a wad of cushioning. 
I then knotted the two ends of twine together with the wad of cushioning in between. 
 If you just pull your twine ends through the couch and tie a knot, the knot will pull back up through the couch and the button won’t hold, much less form a nice little tuft.  Knotting the twine over the extra ball of cushioning makes a secure hold and prevents the knot from pulling back through.  This is also the reason for using kitchen twine (or some uphostering-specific twine you could purchase, I’m sure).  If you just use thread, even heavy-duty upholstery thread doubled up, it won’t hold.  So, here’s the finished button.
I worked from the center of the couch out to the sides and secured all the buttons, pulling each one as tight as I could and checking after each one to make sure that it ended up in the right location and with the right tightness.  I removed the fabric from the back of the couch to expose the innards of the back seat and did the same with those buttons.  The duvet cover didn’t spread all the way down the back of the couch, so I just stapled the old fabric back in place (it doesn’t show since the couch is pushed against a wall).  Then I used the hand upholstery stapler to secure the duvet cover all the way around the front of the seat.  I’m done for now and I couldn’t be happier with my quick, cheap, emergency couch makeover!
   

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Comments

  3. Sixty-Fifth Avenue says

    I was going to say the same as above, AMAZING! You make it look easy breaking it down for us. I love, love, love that you used the old buttons, your right, they do go so well with the new fabric.
    Have a fabulous weekend! Watch out for those snakes!
    Londen

    Reply

  8. BigSis LilSis says

    I am a new follower from New Friend Friday! I have two girls as well and most of my inspiration is from them of course, so I love anything girly!! great job on the couch!!

    Reply

  9. Briana Priester says

    Hi!!! Visiting {and following!} from New Friend Friday! I LOVE your blog -you are such a creative lady!

    Have a great day!
    Briana
    priesterspeace.blogspot.com

    Reply

  10. Ma What's 4 dinner says

    Ha, 3 little boys, 2 big dogs…man do I need you to come over!!! Newest follower in the house from the Friday Follows. Would love if you’d swing by and say hi!

    Lots of yummy love,
    Alex aka Ma, What’s For Dinner
    http://www.mawhats4dinner.com

    Reply

  12. The Cottage Mama says

    This is awesome and the two little pillows on top are perfect! You’ve got great taste – love it!!

    Lindsay

    Reply

  16. Julia says

    I love what you did! It looks wonderful and you have inspired me to get busy on my own slip cover projects:). Love your blog and am your newest follower:).

    Reply

  17. Jess says

    I love the tufts. And that fabric is adorable.
    Thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving the sweet comment. I used a start shaped cookie cutter. I just put it down and swished a paint brush on the inside. I had to touch up when I was done since my boards were uneven enough to not make the cookie cutter very effective. But it gave me the basic shape to start from.

    Reply

  18. Julia says

    Hi Stef,

    Just wanted to let you know that you were a winner at Blissfully Content:)! You can contact me there:)! Congratulations!

    ~Julia

    Reply

  20. Amanda@The Hand Me Down House says

    Your couch is AMAZING! What a transformation! Seriously – -just amazing! And what a great tutorial for the buttons!

    Reply

  21. Michelle L. says

    Wow, so great! Your remodel is beautiful, and thanks for the amazing close-up shots of sewing in the buttons. I ALMOST feel like I could tackle it…someday..or in another life…

    Reply

  22. Pam says

    You did an excellent job taking the “mystery” out of recovering. It looks wonderful and you’re right to reuse the original buttons. WOW! Already a follower of your blog. Pam @ Sallygoodin

    Reply

  24. Stephanie Lynn @Under the Table and Dreaming says

    Simply stunning! What an amazing transformation! The fabric is gorgeous and the buttons add such an amazing touch. Fantastic job. I’ll be featuring this today. Stop by and grab a featured button if you like. Thanks again for joining the Sunday Showcase. Hope you have a fabulous week! ~ Stephanie Lynn

    Reply

  25. C'est Magnifique says

    Very nice, it’s so sweet and comfy looking! I love how the old worn buttons look too!

    Tania

    Reply

  29. Su-sieee! Mac says

    Such a cool couch! Comfy and happy looking. My mom’s loveseat needs re-doing. You’ve inspired me to give it a try.

    Reply

  32. freckled laundry says

    That is soooo darn pretty! It’s great that you were able to keep & makeover something with great memories attached to it. Off to snoop around your baby clothes… 🙂

    Jami

    Reply

  35. Rachelle @ Adventures in Creating says

    Wow, you put in a lot of work. It turned out great! Love the fabric you chose, so beautiful.

    Reply

  36. Tanya says

    Wow! You are some kind of clever. GREAT transformation! When I first saw it, I thought, oh, there’s another 2-month project. Wow again.

    Reply

  37. ShoppingFreak says

    I am so jelouse.I LOVE this couch.You did an amazing job.Now I am going to have to hit craigslist and thrift stores too see if I can find one similar

    Reply

  40. Jane says

    So great! I wish I had such a comfortable couch. I am afraid they don’t make them as awesome (affordable anyway) anymore. Love that you could preserve the old friend.

    Reply

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