apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Wow... The needle shop looks great! Are there any similar resources in LA?

... or any resources like that in San Francisco. I have at least five pieces that I would like to have redone. If you take it to any place to have it done, they ask for outrageous amount of money. Any leads? Thanks in advance.

Are those cushions fixed to the frame or separate from it?

Based on the pics, it looks like what you'll be doing falls more into the category of slipcovering or remaking cushions and covers than reupholstering, which, depending on your sewing skills can be a plus or a minus for a first project...

While I don't have any specific book recommendations, there are many, many good DIY titles for both reupholstering and slipcovering. Most fabric stores will have at least a few that I'm sure would be useful, or the library, of course.

Just looking, I think that your biggest challenge will be to get replacement foam with the same profile as the original with those rounded corners and edges, as that kind of thing is fairly impossible to get right cutting it yourself.
You may be able to source contoured foam shapes like that online, or it may be simpler to go with regular square cornered cushions if you can live with that look. Either way, internet sources or a local, dedicated foam supply place if you can find one in your area are almost always the least expensive. DO not buy foam from the fabric store...it's ridiculously fpriced and they don't offer more than one or two options for firmness/density.
I use www.rochfordsupply.com which is local to me but I'm certain they ship.

FYI -- The "hippie" India block fabric in the Domino photo is around $200 a yard(!)

There are a number of good books out on slipcover - I believe Sunset has a good one out that will walk you thru the process..
I recommend using a muslin for your first slipcover as it is washable, inexpensive and easy to work with. It basically sheet weight fabric that you can use to create your pattern. It comes in a wide variety of widths as it is often used as a backing in quilting. You may want something heavier but these can be a bit ungainly unless you are very comfortable with a sewing machine. If you are determined to use a heavier fabric - try something between a denim and a muslin. Personally - for any slipcover I make, I make a muslin test fit first. This allows me to work out all the fit details and potential problems before I cut into the more expensive upholstery fabric.

Piping makes a slipcover look much more professional - the easiest way to do this is with pre-made piping - which I recommend for your first effort. You should be able to find basic piping at the fabric store - for more interesting options try M& J Trim (look under cords/cord edge) I think there is a special foot for your sewing machine that makes piping easier - check out Nick Olsen's blog over at Domino I think he covered this a while ago.

If it is a daybed you plan on sleeping on, order the foam online and do your homework. If you will use this as a couch, buy it from Jo-Ann's and use one of their 40% off coupons they have in the ads every week- just get the most expensive (usually green) piece and you will be fine-- I say this because I have recovered quite a few pieces, five years ago I took a couch five and changed the bottom cushion from three small ones to one big one, and the the back pillows from attached to loose--and it still looks and feels perfect today. (I wish we could post pictures in here somehow, I would love to show it off : )

To cut the foam, you use an electric knife-- you can shave it into a curve, just go slowly, layer by layer. The custion will conform to the shape of the upholstry, it is more important to sew the casing correctly than it is to cut the foam correctly, make the foam a little bigger and it will fill in the shape. Also, you may want to wrap the foam in another type of spofter cushioning to make a better curve- if you do this, there is a specific upholstery glue that will melt and bind the two different materials together-- don't use regular spray glue!

Of course, I am no professional, just someone who takes on too many projects with the help of DIY books..check one out from your local library. Your daybed is amazing, good luck!

Does anyone know someone who could fashion a custom cushion for a bench. Something exactly like this? http://www.flickr.com/photos/art_chel/2185830673/in/set-72157603670092285/

But maybe in hot pink. Plus, a way to keep the cushion on the bench. In Chicago

Hi
My first post here on AT - although I've been lurking for about a year now...
I'm an upholsterer; fell into it after taking a class at our local community college.
Art, I think some rug padding cut to size underneath would do the trick to keep the cushion on the bench. If your bench has slats you can make some tabs on the bottom of the cushion and velcro the tabs around a couple of slats.
As far as Erica's day bed I agree with vieboheme, you can contour the foam with an electric knife... it rarely comes out perfect, but the trick for a good finish is to wrap the foam with dacron- a full layer of it will smooth out any imperfections in the cutting. Plus it will make your cushions look "plump" and also smooth out any (minor) imperfections with the sewing. BTW- you do have to glue the dacron to the foam ("K-Grip" glue is what I use)
A warning on the fabric you choose for a first time DIY upholstering or cushion making: I would pick a solid or one with a very busy pattern... something easy to match up... if you go with stripes you have to match up the stripes so the look isn't all askew and that's a toughie. Also chenille or any nubby material is an easy fabric to work with, much more forgiving for a first time project.

A solid is definitely the simplest solution since you don't have to match anything. If you want to make it more interesting you could insert another solid or pattern as a single stripe - maybe something off center that runs down one of the back pillows and across and around one of the seat cushions.

Just a few more thoughts (FYI I have an almost identical piece at home awaiting a new cover):

If you are going to do this project yourself, save all the old fabric covering, make note on it in magic marker what piece it is and then use it as your pattern. I remember that this was Rule Number One from the upholstery classes I've taken. Of course, if you are altering the cushions, this won't work. The green foam at JoAnn is denser than the white and it's a better foundation for a thick cushion that is going to be wrapped in batting. You may want to consider two new thin pieces of foam for the top and bottom of the main cushion if the original is in good shape.

As for fabric selection, do yourself a favor and get something that can be removed and is washable because it will save you the heartache of The Big Stain That Won't Come Out. Be sure to size (wash and dry) the fabric so there are no shrinking surprises later. For my project in waiting, I am going to use a washable, heavyweight tan denim (not upholstery fabric) for the large cushion and a patterned upholstery fabric for the back. You'll need to learn about zippers if you go with the removable cover.

Lastly, can your sewing machine handle four thicknesses of fabric? That's the thickest it's going to be (two pieces of fabric and piping). I have a heavy duty Singer I got from their outlet on W. Irving Park—it's the model they order for CPS and it's a workhorse. It is literally called the "school model" and CPS uses it because it has a heavy-duty motor.

Good luck!

Just wanted to say I admire you for undertaking this as a DIY...I considered reupholstering something once and quit before I started! Great find too!!!

If you want to take the cheap, easy, casual (and yes, lazy way), you could buy a twin futon (if it's the right size) or foam, place a fitted sheet over it, and use throw pillows for the back. I've done this with lots of day beds, here's one: http://flickr.com/photos/marstin/2175377128/ If the fabric gets dirty, toss it in the washing machine!

This won't work if you want a tailored look obvs, more the shabby chic messy look. I've also streched fabric over foam and stapled-gunned it underneath, worked pretty well.

I just bought an identical couch on ebay that I plan to recover, so I was glad to see all of these helpful tips.

Wow! Thank you all for responding to my question! I wish I could go to the Needle Shop, but I am actually not located in Chicago. I live in Detroit, so that would be quite a hike for me since I don't have any time away from work right now. Maybe I will look around here and see if I can find something similar to it though. I will definately be printing out all of your comments and highlighting all of the wonderful tips! I will keep you posted on my progress. Thank you~

san francisco has the sewing workshop - i haven't taken classes there but i've heard good things. there is also the craft gym and the stitch lounge in sf.

city college offers sewing and upholstery classes through continuing ed, too. i'm taking it an intro upholstery class this semester. come to think of it, sf has a lot of sewing resources.

It's too bad you can't come in to see us, but I thought I'd throw out there, that we would put this not in the upholstery category, but under BOX CUSHION. You might google and see what you come up with for "box cushion instructions". This one is all about sewing, so if you're needing more sewing experience, you might check into a nearby sewing class.