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)!

I think this is great idea. I have the Lung Hogen couch and loveseat. It would be nice to have a couple of extra slipcovers because I have a house full of pets that are always getting my furniture dirty. I always wondered why Ikea made their couches with removable slip covers but stopped selling them once the couch was discontinued. It seems to me most people would be looking to update their couches after a few years.

The domain name ikeaslipcovers.com is for sale on ebay. Bemz needs some competition. Any US entrepreneur can sell slipcovers for the same prices (appr. $85-150) and still save customers money on international shipping, which runs anywhere from $60 to $100 from Bemz.

What a great idea! No U.S. competition that I can see. Cut Bemz prices with continued current fashion colors and a stable of basic good taste fabrics and you'll be rich! Be sure to keep the heavy cotton line, that's always a winner.

I was getting ready to order from Bemz, I wanted a dark grey and was very excited to see they had two to select from, both graphite and zinc in the heavy cotton. I have the Ektorp sofa and ottoman to recover. Did you start your business yet? Let me know - I'm ready to order!!!!
post your new website if your ready to roll :-}

I have an Angby 2 seater and I'm ready to order.

***Hello :) You can order slipcovers for your IKEA furniture at www.weuweu.com. Their head office is in USA but they deliver their products Worldwide.***

You can send your requests at customerservice@weuweu.com.

Found an Ebay listing for custom made covers for ikea's couches but they're in Australia, so shipping is abit dear at about $100 - worth checking out.

Their website, Comfortworks.com.au isn't operational yet though.

Yeah Meuble, I actually saw that ad a couple of days ago!
They're about 200 bux for my 2 seater, which is pretty reasonable.

They're sending me some sample fabrics, hope its good quality cuz i've got a cat and a puppy.

Raymie.

Great idea Fori, have you started doing the business yet?

I'm currently looking for a replacement for my Kramfors set, the old cover has officially bit the dust. And apparently ikea discontinued them like last month!!

I looked at Bemz but gosh it costs like 500US plus ship to SF?? I can get a whole new couch for that kind of money.

Raymie: any news on your cover with comfortworks?

After a year of unsuccessful searching for an affordable slipcover for my Room and Board Jasper 86" couch (Ebay, Craigslist, Etsy) I finally decided I would do it myself! Behold, my perfectly fitting slipcover I made from 6 Ikea curtains I had laying around the house. It took me approximately 2 days to make. I am so proud of myself...

Go to http://bit.ly/bFf7Lk to check out my couch!

After this project, I realized that as there are directions on Youtube, I can pretty much make anything. :)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320570352979&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT

This company in NY (see above)

I found this company offering slipcovers for a few IKEA sofas.
http://www.resofa.com

Just came across knesting.com which makes IKEA slipcovers--limited selection of fabrics though.

Dear stu23!
You registered here just to post all your comments about our company? We know you upset because you didn't receive your order, we didn't have fabric in stock and we apologised to you, you received a full refund. Why you didn't write about that? We wouldn't turn off our email customerservice@weuweu.com, just because of $95, which you received back already. Our email is only the way we communicate with hundreds customers all over the world. Sorry, I forgot to mention our phone number, you can reach us at 1(347)-533-7585.
Dear apartmenttherapy,
You do not have to stay away from WEUWEU Inc. Our company registered in New York. Our office and sewing studio are also in New York. And we produces slipcovers to fit IKEA furniture. All our fabric suppliers are greatest US companies, and we proud to work with them.

You can read emails from our customers:

" I received my order of the couch cover today. I apologize that paypal took
the payment from you. I am very pleased with my order and I will be happy
to re-pay you for my order and shipping." Lindy, Australia.

"Just wanted to let you know that I put it on the sofa and it fits perfectly
and looks beautiful!! I am so pleased with the fabric, the workmanship
and the fit. Thank you so much!! I love it!" George, Texas.

"Got the slip cover it looks great! Thanks." Andreas, PA.

"Dear weuweu-Team
The slipcovers are arrived today - perfect!
All the best..." Mark, Switzerland.

"We received our delivery on Saturday and we're very pleased with the product.  Thanks very much for your extra efforts." Emily, NY. 

Dear WEUWEU customers!
Please, do not worry about your orders, you will receive them, we promise!

WEUWEU Inc,
www.weuweu.com
customerservice@weuweu.com
t. 347-533-7585

I agree Weuweu is garbage. I asked for samples of a few fabrics, fully intending to order both a slipcover and a footstool cover. Big surprise, they simply stopped returning my emails. Seems like a very shady operation!

Whatever you do, don't order from Weuweu. They have an awful history of long-delayed and never-filled orders. Look at their Facebook page, it's all people asking when their order will arrive! (Never, most likely.) Mine didn't.

Hi, My company Knesting.com was mentioned a while back and I would like to confirm we are indeed making slipcovers to fit your IKEA furniture. I had this same idea a few years ago and finally decided to give it a go last year. We are currently making covers for about 15 of the most popular IKEA models in about 20-35 fabrics depending upon the model. Many of our most popular covers are in stock and ready to ship. If a fabric choice is not in stock, then it usually takes us 3-4 weeks to get an order sewn and ready to ship.

We are working hard to add new furniture models monthly and am also about to add more printed fabric options as well. I'm proud to say our slipcovers are made here in the USA and we are very focused on customer service and have many repeat customers as a result.

If you have any questions or need help, please send us an email at customerservice@knesting.com.

Many thanks,
Susan
www.Knesting.com
www.Facebook.com/knesting

Look at my new slipcover from weuweu http://www.flickr.com/photos/69323970@N04/6302058019/in/photostream It's great! I didn't have any problems with them.

I love weuweu!

Hi guys,

I simply dyed my grubby beige sofa (dogs and cats = beige is not a good option) in a bright, airy blue. Looks remarkably good! I bought some organic dye on Etsy (but you can use any old fabric dye I suppose) and just did all the sofa covers and the chair cover in installments, hung them out to dry outside and once they were dry I put them back on the couch. Whole thing didn't even cost $20.