Thursday, April 19, 2018

MY FAVORITE: THE CAMEL BACK SOFA

I sure do love a camel back sofa. They are kind of old-fashioned and you probably won't see one in a big casual great room setting, but for that smaller or more formal spot they can bring lots of personality to the party. Plus, they love to be slipcovered so I find myself getting to play with them pretty often. It's fun to see the different ways owners choose to dress them up, or down. 

Here are a few recent projects:

Go Bold!! The owner of the owner of this one wouldn't even let it in her new house in the original 90's hunter green and burgundy damask stripe. It positively beams with happiness now in this fun ikat print and will bring so much life to their cozy den/office.  

 
Before;


In this case, the owners simply wanted to lighten things up. This top notch sofa sits in their library/living room. The navy damask upholstery was perfectly lovely but they craved softer, lighter, more casual. The slipcover fabric is a creamy cotton in a looser hopsack weave. Great texture but still elegant enough for their lovely space.





This one was a freebie that the owner scored in her travels. The wine colored moire cotton was definitely too staid and boring for her art-filled eclectic little house.  She fell for a fabric that had just barely 13 yards remaining on the bolt. I had estimated 13 yards for a solid, and this giant 27" repeat made it a real challenge. I sweated it out but managed to make it work by finding a slubby matte silk that matched the background for cording. 




6 comments:

  1. Pam, I follow your blog and think you are the best I’ve seen. Your slipcovers are so perfect in fit, cording fits the corners and curves so well. There is perfection in every picture you post.I sewed for myself for many years but with back issues I am not able and have never made a slipcover. I wish you lived in North Carolina because I would choose you to make slipcovers for me.
    I have a 82” camelback sofa very similar to the one you posted in this post. I purchased a fabric that is a all cotton small diamond pattern matelasse that is 54”. I was told that I could railroad the fabric on the slips so as to not have a seam on the back and the one long cushion. I worry that the slip will not fit like the one you made on the camel back sofa and might sag on seat cushion and I would prefer to not have a seam. If you will please give me your honest opinion. Would railroading this 54” fabric give me a great fit like your sofa in this post?. Thank you much for your knowledge and expert advice.
    Judy W. English

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  2. Hi Judy, thank you for the sweet compliments on my work. I definitely recommend railroading the fabric if possible. Seams on the back or cushions are never ideal if they can be avoided. Matelasse should make a beautiful slipcover. Be sure to cut your cording fabric on the bias to help it follow the curves that make this type of sofa so pretty. Good luck!

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  3. Oh my gosh, you are amazing and I love looking at your work!!! Thank you for making the world better and giving hope and freshness to decorating!!! Seriously, I am so glad my google search found you! Thank you!

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  4. I love all the after photos, what transformations. I have a vintage camel back couch I am having recovered. What complimentary fabric would you use in the Ikat one for say a wing chair w/o it looking too busy?

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  5. My office got a complete makeover with furniture from Multiwood
    , and the transformation is remarkable. The desks are sturdy, the chairs are ergonomic, and the overall design is sleek. Working here has become much more comfortable and efficient. Thank you, Multiwood

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