Stuff this
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No to Joann’s. No to recovering + refoaming a sofa. No to custom made slipcovers. Tres expensive. Yes to refoaming the seat cushions by an upholsterer if & only if you can wait without cushions while it’s being done, and if you can well communicate your desired degree of “softness”. It’s real subjective. I worked sewing for a fellow who did drapery and upholstery (I did mainly drapery). I’ve done simple recovering, cushions, slipcovers for myself. Truly, cost, frustration wise, try out softness in a furniture store .. then get the new sofa.
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@Axtremus said in Stuff this:
@George-K , got "before" picture showing the sofa before the new slip cover?
Just a well-worn brown leather sofa. The leather had cracked on some of the seat cushions.
(@kluurs said, "Never argue with the management")
My thought was that the couch is of good construction, but needs reupholstering and softer seat cushions. I suggested that to the management, but she (for the same reason that thermostats are a mysterie) said, "No." However, she acquiesced to the idea of slipcovers. I've contacted a manufacturer of cushions, asking for advice and recommendations, so we'll see what they say.
Frankly, I really don't care. If I can make it more comfortable with new stuffing, it's great. As to the slipcover, I'll be happy to replace once a year if necessary. As long as the management is happy, it's cheaper than a new sofa.
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Yeah, it is a dark brown leather. Leather has cracked (prolly from lack of good care, LOL). I made the mistake of having the cushions re-stuffed about 6 years ago, and they are FAR too firm for her (and me). She's hated ever since.
But, now that the slip cover has met her approval, I'm going to look at replacing cushion stuffing.
ETA - good quality. The seat cushions have straps on the bottom which hook to elastics on the frame to keep them from migrating away from the back. The back cushions have velcro on them which mates to velcro on the back of the frame.
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No to Joann’s . What you linked to is for patio cushions. Different type of foam. But an upholsterer can do this. He’ll hot knife to shape 2 pieces say 2-3” high density foam then do fibre fill +/-down as sandwich filling, then glue or tape it up. Then he’ll do a muslin cover as a baggy, sew it up, then slide it in, using a plastic garbage bag. He can do something similar for the back cushions too. Care wise, there’s lots you can do to revitalize leather. You’d be surprised. I’ve done it … (after 12 yrs of cat scratches). Just takes a little time and the right product. A upholsterer might be able to repair some cracks and splits too or recommend someone.
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It’s a thing too, style wise, to redo a leather sofa with fabric seat and back cushions, like with tweed or tapestry type fabric … if it’s a decent leather sofa to begin with. Not all leather sofas have the straps & hooks. I noticed recently many just have the Velcro.
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Goodness! Thanks for the tips!
Our cats have not been aggressive with the sofa, so it's not an issue.
I have to convince the management that reupholserty is an option. Let's see how it goes.
In the meantime, I found this outfit:
I sent an inquiry about my needs. Let's see what they say.
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Hmmm. Maybe. When you talk with an upholsterer, ask him exactly what foam he uses and where he gets it. Imo, you want high density foam not medium density foam for sofa seat cushions. Just some info (because I ordered 2 Canadian Brentwood fabric sofas and 1 Stickley leather sofa 2 yrs back) … but I was told .. prior to the pandemic, all upholstery foam for N.America was sourced from Texas, but when the electrical grid problem-snow storm shut down Texas + pandemic .. all N.American high density foam had to come from China and there were huge delays. The Chinese foam is still out there in Canada & the U.S. being sold & used. Canadian furniture manufacturers don’t like it; the East coast Americans don’t like it either.
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That link gives good info George. If you go this route I can coach you how to get your foam into your seat covers without swearing.
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George, we used to get our foam from a place that sold foam(s) to high-end bed manufacturers. Katrina caused some major changes in foam production. Anyway, I'm late to this party, and blondie is your wealth of info.
Hey blondie, how far has memory foam gone as a layer in furniture or cushions?
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@Rainman Sorry, I have no idea.
@George-K If you are measuring to buy your own foam, yes, I’d turn all 3 leather cushion covers inside out to obtain the seam to seam length x width x ht measurements of each one. The most accurate measurements will likely occur at the back of the cushion because your leather will likely be old & stretched. It’s for this reason (the wear&stretching), I’d get an upholsterer to source the foam & do it. He can nip in to sew a new seam at the stretched areas (think a tummy tuck after a C/Section). Or, he’ll estimate & oversize the foam to begin with, shape & stuff accordingly. -
I should add I’ve little experience Re foaming leather seat or back cushions. My recollection with the few pieces I’ve done comes from fabric .. which stretches. I actually said “fvck it” with my nice rattan patio swivel rockers this year. I went to Winners (Target in the U.S.) and just bought replacement cushions that felt firm & sort-of fit. It was at Lowes, and the patio stores I learned of the Chinese foam substitutions nation wide. Although the same makes & models of furniture are being made .. all of them were using medium density foam & fibre fill. No wonder all the online reviews cited sagging cushions.
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George - following your lead, I've redone our sofa. I bought two kits to do both top and base cushions - and have put a cover over the back to liven it up a bit. We have a board under the cushions to reinforce sitting on it lest one sink into the abyss. This couch may now last us until the end times.
