Friday, July 19, 2013

My Sofa 4 Ways & Greek Key Trim


While I hate the current trend to find a way to fit the word actually into every sentence, I actually did finish sewing the Greek Key trim on yesterday (if you saw Wednesday's post) but more about that later...  Remember the blue sofa from my basement that I "shopped"for my living room?  Well, here it is back from my all time favorite and best upholsterer, Style-Rite Upholstery.  The dilemma was I didn't have enough of the original fabric purchased years ago, now discontinued, so I found a gorgeous Baker Furniture cut velvet at Haute Fabrics.  I also had Mel change the skirt to drop directly from the bench and to create new box back cushions that were a lower profile than the originals. So here's Version #1: all sides showing w/the nubby gold linen type fabric.




Version #2:  The cut velvet showing on the pillows


Version #3:  The cut velvet showing on the back and seat cushions  (my "winter" version)


And Version #4, my personal favorite, with just the cut velvet showing on the seat cushions.  I can not tell you how soft this fabric is!


So, back to sewing on the Greek Key trim.  It took 1.5 hours - with a good chunk of that trying to thread the needle and re-thread as needed.


I used a dove gray thread and did a blind-type stitch so you can't even tell it's there.


Compare that to the trim on the curtains that I used both iron-on tape and fabric glue.  I know there are people out there that are very good at using those products but I don't happen to be one of them.  So, some rainy day in the fall I"m going to take these curtains down and hand sew the trim on.  I figure I can get them done in two re-runs of Downton Abbey :)


And, if you're in the DC area and want the best upholsterer around, give Mel at Style-Rite a call.  Here's one of the other sofas he did for me.  Hope you have a great weekend!


23 comments:

Karena said...

Wow Michele I am so impressed! Your eye for fabric and you super upholsterer did a fab job on both sofas. I love the interchangeable looks. The Greek Key Trim is the icing on the cake!

xoxo
Karena
2013 Designers Series & Giveaway

Kerry Steele- Design du Monde said...

I like version #1 best but its all wonderful. I agree about the fabric glue. I used it knowing better and now I just pretend not to see it.

ArchitectDesign™ said...

thanks for the recommendation. Looking really good, you're a seamstress now! haha.

Patty Day @Pattys Epiphanies said...

Love this sofa!
I live in Ga. so your super upholster, Michael, can't help me...I love the Greek Key trim!!
I'll need to stick to MC using the iron on tape for our drapery work!! We don't even have a sewing machine! I have NEVER used one!!!

Anonymous said...

Great Job Michele! I really like the cut velvet. I bought some greek key trim last summer with the intent of having some curtains made for my living room but haven't gotten around to having it done yet. Maybe I should just follow your lead and sew it around the bottom of my sofa. I still love greek key even though everyone is doing it!

Connie in Hartwood said...

Your 'new' sofa is totally dreamy! (I have no doubt that I will need your upholsterer one day. Thanks for the recommendation.)

Unknown said...

Love it!!! So fun to have the reverse sides a different color! good for you, and great designing! I will have to try Mel sometime. Im always looking for a great team of craftsmen! Have a great weekend.
xo Nancy

therelishedroost said...

What a fun sofa!! The Greek key finished it off very well!
Best
Karolyn

Windlost said...

Both sofas are fabulous. You have WICKED great taste darling.
Those reversible cushions are just about the most brilliant and beautiful idea I've ever seen. Genius is the word!

And sooo nice to find a local expert whose work is excellent. Good for you for tooting his horn. Word of mouth is the best advertising.

xo Terri

An Urban Cottage said...

You have to love any sofa with that much versatility. That was really smart. But I adore the second sofa. Very handsome.

Boxwood Terrace said...

Wow, Michele. The sofa is gorgeous in all versions. You have great taste (and great hands for sewing!).

Deborah

A Perfect Gray said...

I actually (ha ha) love the cut velvet on the seat cushions. I know that feels good.

now, aren't you glad you posted your "in progress" shots, just so you'd get done...?

debra @ 5th and state said...

nothing beats the winning combo of a talented design eye and atop notch upholsterer
S T U N N I N G!

debra

Rebecca Corvese said...

I like the version with the cut velvet just on the seats as well. Very nice! It's interesting the difference in quality between hand-sewing and not! Thank you for sharing that with us!

~Becky

SHERRY HART said...

Smackdown...1 sofa 4 ways.....and sewing on the trim...yeah that would probably take me forever also....Good for you getting it done! Sofa looks great!

Mary Ann Pickett said...

How fun that you can switch up the looks. I love that!

You've inspired me to iron a bunch of linen napkins watching Downton Abbey reruns!

Jennifer Sergent said...

You are so talented! Hope to see it in person soon.

vicki archer said...

The sofa looks fab, the trim really finishes it off beautifully...xv

http://vickiarcher.com

home before dark said...

I love the simple elegance of the first sofa. So agree with you about the needle vs the glue (my hyper sensitive correction program would not let me type hand sticking...see what I mean? It's a stitch!).

home before dark said...

I love the simple elegance of the first sofa. So agree with you about the needle vs the glue (my hyper sensitive correction program would not let me type hand sticking...see what I mean? It's a stitch!).

Unknown said...

Modern sofa styles now create sofas which are comfy and bulky. The colour range is basically neutral. Neutral colours are the essence of a contemporary house, which aspires to be simple, glossy, and fashionable. Brilliant and bold colour is introduced with throw pillows. Never give yourself to an unique couch color, unless you can manage to have your own couch upholstered or replaced every handful of years..and if you wants to buy the sofa the pls prefer DFS fabric sofas..

Brandi said...

Your sofa looks amazing. So fun that you get to change out the looks. I love the trim as well. I wish I had your patience to hand sew.

Sunshine_N said...

your sofa looks amazing!!! you are really talented!!
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