Oh I love my turquoise couch! I know the bright color might not be for everyone, but I get a big smile on my face every time I walk into the room. My kids are over the moon with this happy palette.
I have the Ektorp sofa and chair from Ikea. Although they do have 10 different fabric choices none really suited our home. For the past year every time I went to Ikea I would check out their “Dent and Ding” section and generally would come away with 2-3 of the plain white slipcover pieces for around $3.00 each. I was really excited when last month I found the last cushion cover I needed.
Most new fabric is treated with “sizing”. If you are using new slipcovers such as I did you will want to wash the fabric with detergent to removing the sizing.
Take the wet fabric out of the machine and set it aside. Fill up your machine with the hottest temperature of water. Add in your dye. (I selected “aquamarine” by Rit.) I used one bottle for every 3 cushion covers at a medium water level and two bottles for the large couch frame slipcover at the extra high water level. The directions say to add 1 cup of salt to the dye bath per bottle of dye used. The salt “sets” the dye. This is an important step. Do not skip it unless you want the dye to fade out when the slipcovers are washed in the future.
After the washing machine has finished its cycle line dry all of the slipcovers to prevent them from further shrinking. When they are almost dry go ahead and put the slipcovers on the furniture frame/cushions and smooth any wrinkles out with your hands. This is a sneaky way of getting out of ironing.
The cotton upholstery fabric was covered in a consistent shade of aquamarine dye. I was really pleased with the results.
I paired the bright couches with navy, chartreuse and white accessories. The pop of yellow from the flowers works well too.
So what are you going to dye first?
Laura
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Labels: Before and After, Decor, Feeling crafty
