There has been a miracle at our house: a furniture miracle.
I bought the ugliest loveseat in the history of upholstery. (Seriously – it hurt my eyes to look directly at it.)
We needed a loveseat for our basement family room and this shameful specimen of furniture was the perfect size and cost. After visiting a variety of stores in search of a new couch, I found inspiration in this special item at a discount, second-hand store. It took courage to look past the fabric and see the potential: but my hubby and I were up to the task.
We needed a loveseat for our basement family room and this shameful specimen of furniture was the perfect size and cost. After visiting a variety of stores in search of a new couch, I found inspiration in this special item at a discount, second-hand store. It took courage to look past the fabric and see the potential: but my hubby and I were up to the task.
Back to the miracle…. Here’s my trick for turning cheap ugliness into nifty livability: a jean slipcover. Homemade slip covers made from old jeans are easy, free, and darn comfortable to sit on.
To make one, start by collecting your old jeans (and other ready-to-be-thrown-out denim from all your friends and family). Cut out a series of matching squares and rectangles.
Sew together the blocks to make long strips. Sew together the long strips to make panels of fabric. Then, Drape the panel (inside out) over your furniture item and pin as needed to fit.
Sew along your pin lines and when you turn the fabric around, it will fit like a glove.
To be 100% honest, I am what could be described as a just-enough-to-get-by seamstress. This means I typically throw my projects together with very little planning, my inside-seams are nothing fancy, and I’ve been known to rip out seams (multiple times) before I get it just right. But…. in the end I was able to unveil a comfy couch for the whole family under $35 (I told you it was the perfect cost).
Bonus: when the kids spill rootbeer, paint, and bubble solution on this couch, I won’t be too concerned. I can tear off the slip cover (again avoiding direct sight of the hideous print underneath), throw it in the wash, and pull it back over when clean. Also, the boys can jump on the couch, tip the entire thing over while tackling their brother, and use the cushions for untold pillow fights and I again can look the other way. This couch can easily be replaced.
Bonus: when the kids spill rootbeer, paint, and bubble solution on this couch, I won’t be too concerned. I can tear off the slip cover (again avoiding direct sight of the hideous print underneath), throw it in the wash, and pull it back over when clean. Also, the boys can jump on the couch, tip the entire thing over while tackling their brother, and use the cushions for untold pillow fights and I again can look the other way. This couch can easily be replaced.
It’s the miracle of basement, child-proof,
cheap and easy furniture.
cheap and easy furniture.
And I have two……