Posted 2005-06-20 9:32 AM (#26797) Subject: couch cushions
Veteran
Posts: 140 Location: Colorado
Hi! We framed in a couch this weekend, it was originally going to be a bootbox, but we decided to put in a really nice seating area and nix having a dining table (we usually eat and cook outside anyway).
Has anyone had couch cushions made, and are they expensive or could I do a nice job of it myself? The dimensions we used for the couch will accomodate a regular full size futon as the cushion, so I need to decide whether to have something made, or just buy a futon and make a cover for it.
The back of the couch folds forward, so there is a good space behind it to put in the seldom accessed utilities (fuse panel, water pump, etc.), and there will be a small cupboard under the seats. It will have rolling drawers that will store small items like extra propane bottles, flashlights, etc. The top of the couch will have a step on it, so you can step onto the couch, then up on the step, and into bed.
Pictures will follow, when I have the plywood seat done. Hopefully that will happen later today. The cupboard won't be finished out until later, when we are building cabinets.
Posted 2005-06-20 12:31 PM (#26801 - in reply to #26797) Subject: RE: couch cushions
Member
Posts: 45 Location: Tuttle, OK
I put a sitting area in my trailer too but it is small....maybe 24 X 52. Anyway, I had cushions custom made by Truman's Fabric in Oklahoma City. I paid about $189.00 for the set...that price included foam, fabric and labor. They did an excellent job on them!
Posted 2005-06-20 3:41 PM (#26811 - in reply to #26797) Subject: RE: couch cushions
Veteran
Posts: 140 Location: Colorado
Geeze, that's a great price. I called around and the going rate is $700 for the seat and backrest cushions. Ouch. Most likely, I'll try to DIM (Do It Myself). I can buy a fridge for $700. :-)
Pictures of the couch frame are now up on my website. It is starting to look like a place to sit!
Posted 2005-06-20 8:45 PM (#26827 - in reply to #26797) Subject: RE: couch cushions
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 565 Location: Michigan
Wow! That looks great! My first thought was FUTON! Can you get a futon mattress to fit that? Looks great, good for you! Thanks for the pics, I always am amazed at all you do-it-yourselfers on here!
Posted 2005-06-20 9:13 PM (#26828 - in reply to #26797) Subject: RE: couch cushions
Regular
Posts: 62 Location: Western Wisconsin
Check the yellow pages for local upholstery shops - even if they are too expensive, they may know of some backyard seamstress or suppliers of foam & fabrics. Cushions aren't hard to make if it's something you want to do yourself. You seem to be doing a bang up job in the construction department!
Posted 2005-06-20 10:36 PM (#26833 - in reply to #26827) Subject: RE: couch cushions
Veteran
Posts: 140 Location: Colorado
MIFarmBabe, Thanks, yeah we built it to exactly the same size as the futon frame in our greenhouse, so a full size futon mattress should fit it perfectly. I want to go that route, my husband would rather have split cushions (which means he finally has to get my sewing machine fixed!). :-)
Posted 2005-06-20 10:39 PM (#26834 - in reply to #26828) Subject: RE: couch cushions
Veteran
Posts: 140 Location: Colorado
Thanks Sarah. I may give it a shot... Have you made cushion covers? Are they easier if I use a checkered fabric of some sort (for a grid)? I like sewing but have no idea how to do something that size...
Posted 2005-06-20 11:40 PM (#26840 - in reply to #26797) Subject: RE: couch cushions
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 456 Location: south of Cowtown, TEXAS
Mom is making mine. I bought some tooled pleather and 3" foam from the fabric store. We're going to velcro a padded backrest also. You can do it yourself.
Posted 2005-06-23 8:56 AM (#26960 - in reply to #26797) Subject: RE: couch cushions
Regular
Posts: 98 Location: Baldwin City, KS 66006
I bought my foam over ebay for less than half of what the stores wanted. Measure it out and then sew the 2 long edges together and slide it over the foam (I put a plastic bag over the foam first...to make it slide easier....then remove the bag). Fold the ends down like a birthday wrapping gift and hand stitch the ends. To cut the foam if you need to reduce it in any way.....use an electric meat knife. Nice smooth cut and it glides right through. They have some nice upholstry fabrics at most fabric stores. I bought mine at Walmart.
Posted 2005-06-24 12:52 AM (#27020 - in reply to #26971) Subject: RE: couch cushions
Elite Veteran
Posts: 1011 Location: Oregon
What about those lounge chair cushions? I see that they some in 1, 2 or 3 "squares". Fairly cheap too...about $12.00 at BiMart. Put some heavy duty coubled sided velcro to hold it in place. Just a thought...
Posted 2005-06-24 8:44 AM (#27028 - in reply to #27020) Subject: RE: couch cushions
Veteran
Posts: 140 Location: Colorado
Hi Krys,
I thought about using those, too, but they sure don't have much cushion to them. Might buy some to use until I make some nice ones up... I'd really like to put in something nice, though. :-)
couch cushions
