First Ever Vintage Polyester Couch Cover

Here it is, Folks--the World's First Ever Polyester Couch Cover. 

 

(Our staff is verifying that claim, but for now, let's just go with it.)

I've been staring at my wonderful flowery brown couch that my buddy Bon gave me and that holds down the tv room faithfully, trying to figure out how to put some more spring into its, um, couch step. And it came to me in a rush: this couch is begging for a cover, and I can swing it. 

Plus, I have THIS in my stash (a GIFT from a super nice Blogger Friend who understands my love and reverence for the medium of polyester), and it's begging to live in my tv room where we do all our real hanging out and living and jumping and cuddling and watching and everything.

Plus, I happen to have a fat bunch of shockingly-coordinating red and white flower polyester that looks like its Polyester Sister. So there's that.

Plus--AS I continue to say to anyone in the world who will hear me: Old polyester is easy to sew! It's unbelievably forgiving! It's stretchy! And it comes in wonderfully weird colors and patterns! A shoe-in for the what-to-cover-the-couch-with variety of fabrics.

Action Shot of Newly Covered Couch:

 

I have to say that I was most surprised by how pretty straightforward it was to sew a couch covers--this was my first. Really--it was like making closes for Rosie--I sort of just draped the fabric and built the thing one panel at a time.  . . which made me think about making clothes (which I've been thinking about, as you know), and how all you really need to do is make a couch cover. For yourself. We are all just couches waiting to be covered. Which was why this was like sewing for Rosie, the Jetson's Robot Maid, and all I need to do is to figure out how to cover curved robot parts, and I'm home free as a seamstress. (Loved this post, which got me to thinking in this direction, btw). More on all that later (when I unveil the MATCHING POLYESTER SKIRT that coordinates perfectly with my couch cover. I know: amazing.)

In the meantime, consider all getting together to buy the URL www.oldpolyester.com for my next year's birthday, because I feel like I'm destined to own it.

 

Comments

[GEW]

Oh no you DI'NT!

[Jenn]

my oh my. I've never seen anything like it.

[tammie]

i love this. you are a polyester genius.

[xtina]

LOooooVE IT!

[Miss Prickly]

You've outdone yourself Ginger! Love this.

[kelly]

I love the red! its awesome.

[Anne]

oh, WOW!!! That may be the best use of vintage poly - EVER. I linked to your project over at Craft Gossip Sewing:
http://sewing.craftgossip.com/lookie-what-she-made-vintage-polyester-couch-cover/2010/06/30/

--Anne

[shanghaicowgirl.wordpress.com]

This is beyond awesome.
And is inspiring me to finish my BASTED-ONLY patchwork couch cover. Considering that it's only basted, and that I did it back in March, I think it's holding up pretty well. But it might be nice to finish it. So, you know, I can WASH it.
Great job! (you, not me)

MIchelle

[Maureen]

Gigi--You are super cool. I'm often haunting the couch cover aisle at Target waiting for theirs to go on sale...but now I may hover no more. I shudder to think of how many neutral-colored covers I've purchased...yours far surpasses...--Maureen

[--ginger.]

I would just like to take this moment PUBLICLY to announce that there is very little more satisfying than having your best friend from 6th grade read your blog. It ranks very, very high on the COOL THINGS THAT COULD HAPPEN TO YOU AND MAKE YOU HAPPY scale of life. Wish I were closer to make one for you!!!

[Lori]

Fabulous! I don't think there is anything you can't make look good with old polyester(was that too many negatives in one sentence? 'Cause I meant it as a positive!)

[Elle]

Wow! Totally blew my mind. Awe-Some. And very inspiring. When's your birthday?

[--ginger.]

It's in June!!! (You all have plllleeennnnty of time to save up.)

[Antoinette]

I simply cannot think of a better use for that vintage polyester than to assist in covering your couch! What are the odds that it had a sister fabric residing in your very home! Even nicer than usual, Miss G.

[Robyn of Coffee and Cotton]

It is gorgeous. It is RED!! I love it. Shall we call you Aunt Poly??

[Regina]

Wow!! That is really awesome. Furniture covers are so cumbersome and hard to make.