AT,
I know a great streamstress and got slipcovers made for my IKEA sofa. I have the IKEA Tylosand - and slipcovers from IKEA would have cost like $550 for the whole set, but I could custom make them for less than half the price.
I am exploring business ideas in the design area, and I know Bemz does this kind of thing, but is there any more room in this market? I would appreciate any input from readers.
Fori
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I love it! I have the Karlanda sofabed and, while I think Bemz is an *amazing* idea, I'm not overwhelmed by their choices of colors or fabrics. It would be great to see slipcovers available in really nice quality fabrics with different finishes.
Sign me up! Who is your seamstress? I have been looking for someone to make a slipcover for my PB greenwich loveseat(slipcovers from PB do not fit it), but I have been quoted rates above $500!
Great idea! Who is your seamstress? I have the Ektorp corner sofa that needs to be updated and have been looking at Bemz. The selection is just okay, seems a little pricey, plus I would prefer working with someone local.
Room in the market for this type of product/service...? As Whitney would say, "Aw, hell to tha yeah!"
Oh yea, there is room for this!! I would love to get a slipcover for my IKEA sofa (the discontinued falstbo (sp?)). I recovered it with fabric from the LA fabric district, but a summer slipcover would be so awesome!
yes please!
bems is great, but their prices, wait time and shipping costs make ikea look like a deal.
i would love to buy locally (well, in the US anyways) and hopefully have more affordable options at my disposal!
definitely a great market - Ikea's fabric selection is pretty limited so I'd say there would be a demand. you should check in with the blog ikeahacker - that would be a good place to get the word out.
ikea hacker
i'm looking for some new slipcovers for my Bensen Neo sofa. DWR said it would cost me 1500 bux! AS IF. i'd be very interested in talking to this seamstress, pronto.
you've got a customer here!
I have a corner Ektorp sofa. I like it a lot but I want a different color. I was investigating dying alternatives, but would definitely go for custom covers.
ooh! i also have a DWR neo sofa that i'd like a slipcover for!
there is a definite market especially if you can get your hands on great looking fabric. let me know when you set up and i'll get the word out for ya!
I would definitely be interested - especially if you're willing to sell and ship to Canada. I've considered doing the sewing myself, but I find the task of doing the whole Karlanda sofa quite daunting... especially working without a pattern.
let us know if you do set up a business. I think you'll probably do great.
I have the Tylosand as well and would love different colors for the sofa. I keep it nuetral now due to 3 kitties and one big dog. I hate what Ikea offers as colors. Please let us know your seamstress. With all the inquiries we should be able to keep her very busy. >^..^<
I am looking for someone to make me a slipcover ASAP! I am here in SF. Please contact me if you are available and interested, or could refer me.
What about slipcovers for the very popular slipped Room and Board Jasper sofa? Or the Petrie from Crate and Barrel? (for protection from kids).
Count me in!
Nancy
it looks like you already found your market! i too, would love to have services like that handy. i am a stager and slipcovers are really my best friend ;) it can transform a dull piece and make it pop and becomes the focal point immediately. little details like piping can also make it sparkle. it's really great you have found a great contact! (whose info i would love tooooo!)
cheers,
cindy@staged4more
www.staged4more.com
i'm interested. would like to be put in contact.
akrane@gmail.com
I also have a Bensen Neo sofa and I'd love to find a new set of slipcovers...like Aaron I can't afford to pay the $1500 that DWR or Propeller quote.
I'd love to know more details...
jtlande@yahoo.com
It would be great if the seamstress had the patterns for various IKEA sofas and then the customer could send the material of their choice to her. A friend at work told me about an article she read similar to this idea but didn't have a website. Sounds like the seamstress would have plenty of business.
Absolutely! I, too, want a new cover for my Ektorp sofa - I contacted both Ikea and Bemz urging them to offer them in microsuede - I KNOW there would be a great market for that fabric in a range of colors!! So, I'm in the SF Bay Area - and am ready to contract for one ASAP - Contact me and let me know who your seamstress is - OR, can I be your first customer?? A GREAT niche market!
Who else have problems with DWR NEO sofa covers? I just contacted their customer service and they said I was the first client to complain about the shrinkage to the sofa cover that I took to a dry cleaner. Their customer service are such liars. Maybe they just don't log all the complaints. I've had trouble with 2 of my DWR slipcovers. Yes, I own two of their sofa.
Jen
Love the idea! Can I get in touch with you and your seamstress?
regarding Neo sofas, they're actually not made by DWR, just sold by them. They're made by a company called BENSEN, http://www.bensen.ca.
i wonder if i'll ever hear from this mystery seamstress. really would like to.
You have a customer here too! I have the Karlanda chair, but I really want an interesting fabric in which to do the slip cover.. Please post how people can get in touch with you or your seamstress should you guys decide to go forward. What a great idea!!
Sorry Guys, I disappeared from the scene after first posting this. I had to travel out of the country. I get back beginning of March.
Meanwhile, if you want to email me your contact info at foridesign@gmail.com, I promise to get back to you when Im back in the country!
I am so glad to know that hope does exist for my discontinued Ikea sofa! The "Lund - Bjuv" was put to pasture in December 2006. I purchased it in September 2006. There were only 3 cover choices to begin with, but my darling cats managed to wreck the only one that I have. I also have a 3-seat Karlanda that could use a more exciting cover too. So, is there a market for a private label Ikea slipcover maker? You bet!! I will anxiously await...Dana.
What a great idea, I think there is a big market for it. I have the Ektorp 3 seater sofa and the Ektorp sofa bed. Ikea is discontuing the Ektorp sofa bed. You will have lots of customers looking to update their sofas. Bemz is very good, but again, I agree with Joez, they are quite pricey. If you keep the prices within Ikea's price range, I think you will have plenty of customers. I would also like to purchase from an American firm. Keep me posted on your decision to make customer slipcovers for Ikea furniture.
Thank you,
Elizabeth
NJGal1957@aol.com
I am a slipcover professional located in north carolina. please visit my website at www.slipcoverchic.com I am surprised at all the comments about slipcovers for ikea furniture. I do plan to look into the market in the meantime i can accept mail orders.
I also have a Bensen Neo Sofa and need a new slipcover for it. $1500 is standard if you want it made with the original template, as I found out from The Magazine, where I bought mine. If anyone has had luck getting them made elsewhere, please respond (with a timeframe that it took for turnaround would be great)!