Chad's Sofa Attempt

Building a Sofa
(why? Because I am crazy, a new sofa is $800+, I think I can do it better...and I need one)
Please do not attempt this at home.....go to a friend's house

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Hello all, I wanted to add a few notes after completion of the couch. It seems that this page is getting viewed a lot and is even a resource for some. Which makes me very happy. In retrospect I'd like to say that if I had to do it all over, I would have used zig-zag springs for the back instead of jute webbing. The back is a little stiff due to having no springs, additionally I would slant the back a little. I would also have used two layers of dacron (or twice the thickness) to make the fabric lay a little tighter with no wrinkles.
It is important to note that the back MUST be put on using tack strips...do a google search....I used the metal kind, you will want to get it as tight as possible. And don't forget to use extreme caution while installing springs, and re-enforce your frame,as the springs really put a lot of stress on it.

The original sketchup, I hope it comes out looking something like this.	The Jute webbing was really hard to stretch...I had to make a custom tool (which they sell for $20, seemed steep to me), see below.
Coming along nicely, eh?	My deck is a wreck right now. Notice the tarp I use to keep the rain off of the couch? Let's just hope I can fit it in my door.
Jutestretcher Version 2.0 The first one was far inferior to the power of this jutestretcher...I love that word!	Jutestretcher V2.0 in action. Witness it's incredible stretching power!

Change of plans...The jute webbing must come off the bottom, I am now going to add zig-zag springs.	The Zig-Zag springs are in place. oooooo, springy! I do believe I pulled a few muscles in my left arm stretching them!!
A close up of the aforementioned springage... notice the nice string tied onto the springs to keep them from rotating...and to tie them in (so to speak)	We must now place burlap over the springs so as not to damage our precious foam pads! Which we are now ready for.
Be very careful, my sofa in now armed (but not very dangerous)! The couch is completely edge rolled and covered in burlap.....Man am I on a roll.....next up, foam-ulation.	Detail of the "edge roll" which cushions the hard edges of the frame...we are really rolling now!
Here are the bundles of foam and one roll of dacron. Now we get to the fun part! Here you will see that I have stained the exposed legs a nice mahogany red. The bolt holes will be covered with chrome hole plugs.	Here is the foam installed and the padding installed on the top and front rails. Here you see the dacron batting on all the rails and a slight modification to the foam. Both in the seat and the top of the back. So far, I have gone through about 3000 staples, though some were removed.
All The foam padding is now on. Before you even say it...yes, I know the arms look exceedingly huge (better to hug you with my dear!), but you must realize that when they are covered in dacron and then upholstered, they will compress down to a reasonable size...the fabric will be TIGHT! Next step....Dacron coverage and upholstery!
It's like a white christmas! The arm/leg units are removed for uphostering and varnishing. And finally all the foam is wrapped in dacron. Next comes the scary part....upholstering!
Measuring & pinning the fabric. I'm doing this inside out to pin the seams. My hands are full of needle holes. I kindof look like a junky!	All the fabric is in place on the seat and back. There are a few unwanted wrinkles, but I guess that comes with the territory when dealing with a sofa with no actual seperate cushions. Overall though, it worked great, and will be even better once I upholster and re-attatch the arms. Don't worry he's armless! BTW, I love the racing stripe. This is one comfey setee!
Okay, so here it is, almost complete. I still have to upholster the back and put the dust cover on the bottom). The colors you see on this web page are slightly different from the colors in person. It is quite comfey. Right now the scotchgaurd is drying.	The fabric where the seat meets the back is a little wrinkly. It is an inherent flaw in the cushionless design, and my sewing. I think I am going to add a few upholstery buttons in that area....stay tuned. Almost done! Now if it only fits in the door!
I have attatched the back, and the dust cover is next. The dust cover keeps dust from the foam in the couch, not dust from outside out.	The sofa is COMPLETE!!!!!!!!! I added the buttons to secure the seat area, they look niiiiice!
Doesn't the back look nice?!?!	Here it is in all it's glory, I think I'll take a nap on it now to test it's worthiness! Well folks, that's it...it can be done!

That's all Folks!!!