Couch Update! #3

The White Whale is slowly being reeled in! I decided to take the plunge and carefully use the seam ripper to delicately and carefully remove the bottom cushions from the couch frame. When I went for it though, I realized they were only held on by some thin, interfacing like strips of fabric. So the Amazing Boyfriend viciously took a razor blade to it and sliced it off! I think a bit of the couch came off, but it'll all be covered in fabric in the end. No harm, no foul.

So I covered the cushions and that was that. Ok, not quite that was that. I don't have the zippers I need to properly encase the cushions, ie. I need some LONG zippers, like 30".  So I have raw edges and a completely open edges shoved up into the back of the couch where you can't see them! Let's see the fruit of my work...

Check out that pattern matching between cushions! Its spectacular! I can't even put into words how much I love this couch. There's nothing better than 80 degrees, outside on your enclosed porch, on your fabulous, patterned, cat-hair repelling outdoor couch. I tell Amazing Boyfriend that I'll be in paradise and he knows that means that I'll be on the porch.

Next, the hardest part, covered the main couch frame. The frame still shows, this is just in image where you can't see it, so it has to be covered. That will take a while though since I'm currently 3,000 miles from paradise.

Two things I have discovered, if you are making covers for your cushions:
The best way to make a 'pattern' for your cushions is the measure the cushions, cut a rectangle, and then use a cup and trace curves around the corners. Two things to note here:
1. When I traced the cushion onto the fabric, it invariably always ended up way way way too large for the cushion. When I measure and then cut as noted above, it was always perfect.
2. Curving the corners rather than having pointy corners resulted in a cleaner look. The cushions actually fill the curved corners, whereas the pointy corners stick up like little ears. A sofa with ears is a big no-no.

Previous posts:
Introduction to the White Whale
Progress
Hey, I remembered I made some pillows

New Sewing Patterns: New Look Summer 2012

New New Look. And the looks aren't all that new.

New Look 6119

Can't get anymore simple that this. Its literally the same coming and going. Its literally a tube strung on a string. Why is there even a pattern for this? Sad sad droopy belt. Eeyore belt.

New Look 6120

This has a little more shape and interest. Due to the elastic and the belt, not the shaping. But I do like the obi belt. Both these patterns have a bit of a retro feel, is that from the fabric or the actual patterns? I predict this pattern will get the most love.

New Look 6121

 

Sleeveless drop waist? Sign me up. 90's prairie dress at calf length? Seriously?!?!! Also, that is the saddest little purse in existence. When the pattern in the fabric is that busy and there's that many seams, especially one right down the front, it really doesn't work for me. This would be adorable and happy in a solid. 

 

  New Look 6126

 

A coverup. Ok, I guess. Kinda looks more like a glamorous lounging around the house outfit. Maybe in a more tropical or less flowery print, it would actually look like a coverup. Also, the second line drawing looks a bit like this no?

Look at those line drawings! A belt is the only thing that separates them? They keep repeating the same designs, its getting tired guys!

New Look 6122

 

I like the neckline on the striped long dress, its much less boob-centric than the other necklines, especially the pink one that actually frames 'em!

 

New Look 6123

 

Things are very ruffly lately, no? I do like it, but it seems it would be easy enough to take an existing pattern that you've already made work for you and cut a ruffle. Pretty fabric.

 

 New Look 6124

 

 

New Look 6130

 

Peplums, they're paying attention to the trends! But... I think that Vogue and Salme have interpreted the peplum trends in a chicer way (especially Salme, me want). 

New Look 6125

 

Ok, that's definitely 60's.

 

 New Look 6129

 

Two rectangles connected with elastic! Brilliant! I'm jaded!

 

Kinda disappointed with this new round of patterns. New Look is supposed to be the cutting-edge, European feel but they generally failed to deliver this season.