Recovering the couch

**tbs727** · 12-31-2005, 09:54 AM

For the past year or so I have been trying to find a frugal way to recover my leather couch. I DO NOT want to pay for a new couch. So, as I have been browsing the fabric stores and finally decided to cover the back and seat cusions with unbleached muslin. At the time it was .99 a yard and I couldn't find anything cheaper. I notice that Hancocks has 20% off all their muslin last week so I went and bought it. I don't think I have ever bought fabric from the store for .79 a yard! As I was talking to the employee at Hancocks I asked her about the remanent bin. (I wanted some fabric for pillows.) She said their new district manager would not allow them to have a remanent bin any more!!! Well that made me mad. Number one, because they are not giving their customers what they want, and number two, they are being wasteful by THROWING THE REMANANTS AWAY!!!

Anyway, I managed to get a good deal on a yard of fleece, ($1.00 for the yard) and that will be used for my new couch pillows.

Well, those are my good deals for the day. I keep reading about people getting good deals at Wal-mart, I may head that way this afternoon.

**slowtypinwoman** · 12-31-2005, 10:49 AM

Have you tried contacting that offending Mgr.? Often times it takes only a call from a customer to express dissaproval, to initiate a change.

**slowtypinwoman** · 12-31-2005, 10:52 AM

WTG on the muslin though. Happy recovering. Have you done it before? I wouldn't know where to begin.

**Darlene** · 12-31-2005, 10:53 AM

At first glance I thought the title to this thread was "recovering ON the couch" and was going to tell you I hope you feel better, lol.
Well now I'll just wish you luck in recovering your couch, making your pillows & getting the remnants back into your store.

**tbs727** · 12-31-2005, 11:09 AM

I am glad to not be recovering ON the couch.

I have been thinking about contact Hancock fabrics. I just haven't had the time. I could tell the employees there were quite ticked off about it too.

**lacyj** · 01-01-2006, 10:27 AM

I don't want to discourage you, but is the muslin light weight? It may not hold up well for everyday use. Are you taking the leather off or going over it? If the leather is cracked or broken, it will wear holes in the muslin. I would pad the leather if you are covering over it, with an old mattress pad or blanket, etc.
I have used cordaroy(sp)((both brushed and twill) for couches and it works well. Also, sail cloth weight muslin and store bought blue jean type material. It is best to use something that doesn't stretch much, when pulled on the bias.

**tbs727** · 01-01-2006, 03:24 PM

Yep, Lacy, it is quite light weight. I am actually going to use a very good quality bedsheet to cover the inside cusions. The leather will be taken off the couch and replaced. I might try to find something else to use the leater for, I hate to just throw it away.

I got the idea of using muslin from my mom. Her couch is covered in muslin and is doing very well with the normal wear and tear of life.

At the very least, if it doesn't last forever, it's not a huge loss. The fabric only cost $11.00. (that includes slipcovers for 2 side chairs and an ottoman. )

**boxxies** · 01-03-2006, 04:30 PM

Wow!

I can't believe that you got a yard of fleece, ($1.00 for the yard)
That's quite a deal.

Here in Canada, it's hard to find great deals like this.

Marie