Well, if you are a reader of Anna Maria Horner's blog, you know that she asked me to recover a couch for her to show in her booth for Quilt Market (the semi-annual fabric trade show). Well, I can't resist a good furniture re-do and I'm always game to help a fabric designer achieve fame and fortune, as I hope they will take me along for the ride.
So here is the couch as I got it from Goodwill for $15:
A little dirty and worn, but a good shape. I wonder why they used the right side so much more than the left?
Here it is as of tonight:
The keys to this little beauty? Beautiful fabric (thank you Anna Maria), a new foam seat cushion and a little labor. The fabric is Ivory Shadow from her Drawing Room collection. Anna Maria suggested the rust piping and even cut it for me. I couldn't see it in my head, but I trust the trained artist more than myself. And lo and behold, the rust piping is gorgeous.
And I love how the solid cushion and back show off the gorgeous large
print. I was able to run the fabric sideways (I think professionals
call that "railroading" the fabric) so that I didn't have to seam it on
those big expanses. I'm pretty proud of this one and can't wait to see
it in all its glory in Anna Maria's Quilt Market booth.
In the meantime, I decided last week to have a booth at Quilt Market (it is a full three weeks away), so now I'll focus on Amusement Park projects. I've got four upholstered dining chairs just begging to be recovered in each of the four prints! I'll be showing all THREE of Jessica Jones fabrics and some new ribbons. More on the ribbons in a week or so...
Ugh...why does the quilt market have to fall during Halloween???? I so want to come home and go. Argh!
Posted by: Tara | October 07, 2008 at 11:11 PM
Beautiful!
Posted by: Jamie AZ | October 07, 2008 at 11:15 PM
Wow -- fabulous job. I can't wait to see it in person. I bet the original owners had a dog that hung out on the right side.
Posted by: Kim | October 07, 2008 at 11:18 PM
Completely awesome.
Posted by: Jess | October 07, 2008 at 11:45 PM
Wow - What an amazing transformation! And your attention to detail -- like making the front of the cushion line up with the bottom of the couch -- is fantastic!
Posted by: Kristin | October 07, 2008 at 11:46 PM
Amazing! Did you do it yourself or get it done? How much fabric did it require?
Posted by: Caitlyn | October 08, 2008 at 12:11 AM
Beautiful! I love the fabric and you did a great job!
Posted by: Mindy Said | October 08, 2008 at 12:17 AM
I'm coming to you next time I need furniture upholstered! I'm tearing my hair out here with my 2 chairs. This looks fantastic!
Did you say ribbons?!? ;)
Posted by: patty | October 08, 2008 at 12:57 AM
Gorgeous, love that fabric.
Posted by: kim | October 08, 2008 at 05:29 AM
I do read Anna's blog. Oh the couch is just gorgeous. The pumpkin piping is just enough without taking away from the main print. You do beautiful work!!! The left side of our couch gets more use than the right because of the position of the couch to the t.v.
Posted by: Stephanie Dunphy | October 08, 2008 at 07:16 AM
Wow! It looks GREAT!!! Way to go, you always do incredible work!!!
Posted by: Joy | October 08, 2008 at 08:31 AM
Beautiful fabric. Beautiful re-do. I love seeing how you match up your print each time. The bottom edge of the cushion with the top edge of the sofa face. Oh man is that flawless - you could have a second career!
Best of luck at QM!!!!
Posted by: daisy janie / scoutie girl | October 08, 2008 at 08:49 AM
I am speechless!!
Posted by: MaryBeth | October 08, 2008 at 09:05 AM
What a gorgeous couch! I love how this turned out - the pumpkin trim just pops out. Can't wait to see more pictures of it in the booth.
Posted by: Terriaw | October 08, 2008 at 09:41 AM
So beautiful! I have a couch in desperate need and I wish I had your skill!
Posted by: Tracey | October 08, 2008 at 10:11 AM
That is simply gorgeous. I'm in awe of your skills. I have three (four, actually) chairs that need a good redo, you game?
And did you say new ribbons? A little impatient over here!!!!
Posted by: Carrie S. | October 08, 2008 at 11:03 AM
One of these years I'm gonna crash a quilt market.
Posted by: Kim | October 08, 2008 at 11:06 AM
great, just great!
i found a beautifully shaped armchair at a yard sale that i would love to recover...now if i only knew where to start!
Posted by: laura | October 08, 2008 at 11:06 AM
Ack! It's so pretty I can't look at it very long. The piping looks great. Your ability to make the pattern match in all the right places blows me away.
Anna Maria is a lucky lucky woman. I'll be sure to tell her that at Quilt Market. :)
Posted by: Rhonda | October 08, 2008 at 12:07 PM
Stunning, stunning, stunning. Anna Maria was right about the piping.You are one clever girl.
Posted by: Elizabeth | October 08, 2008 at 12:43 PM