Thursday, July 10, 2008

Can You Shave a Sofa?


Turns out that you can and I did. I have this sectional that I love. Problem is it's linen and I have lots of teens in the house who love to wear those metal studded belts. Those belts and my sofa don't play well together. I ended up with sections of the sofa where the fabric had pilled and even gotten fuzzy. I was almost ready to recover it (I love it that much!), but as a last resort I tried one of those thingys that shaves pills off sweaters. Well, the sofa laughed at that. It didn't make a dent. After watching me for a few minutes, my very smart, creative hubby said, why don't you try the hair clipper? I told him I didn't want to ruin the sofa, I wanted to save it. While I was talking he retrieved the clippers, plugged them in, looked at me with that, "just trust me" look and held them out to me. I thought he was nuts, but I gave it a try in an inconspicuous place. Folks, you can shave a sofa. I was flabbergasted. The sofa looks like new. I'm sure I can't do it daily, but I've avoided an upholstery job, at least for awhile. That's a good thing.
More craftiness soon. I've been working on many things, no surprise there, and I may even have a finish or two. Lots to share, no time. More later!

29 comments:

Mama Spark said...

Sounds like a good title for a new quilt book, lol!!

beki said...

Hee-hee! I've used regular old disposable razors to shave pills various textiles.

Unknown said...

What a clever idea, I love the quilt you have on the back of the couch.

Becky said...

Wow, so what you are saying is MEN really do know a thing or two???? So does he have any ideas on helping leather couches that have cat claw marks????

QuiltedSimple said...

Great idea - and I LOVE the quilt on the back of the sofa - is that one you made???
Kris

Thriftin and Craftin said...

Love that story. That's the way my dad was. He was so ingenious. Here's a great story about him. One night when I was very young my mom got a bug in her ear. It was still alive and driving her CRAZY. You can imagine how that would feel. She was almost off to the ER when my perfectly adorable brilliant father (can you tell I worshiped him? LOL!) got out the vacuum cleaner! He put the attachment on it, cupped his hand over her ear so there wouldn't be TOO much suction and proceeded to get the bug right out of her ear. Saved a ton of money and anxiety. Necessity is the motherhood of invention you know. Tell hubby he did a great job, and have a great week!

C

Abby and Stephanie said...

Good to know! Oh and how I love the color combo of your sofa, walls, pillows, and oh the quilt! Gorgeous.

Purple and Paisley said...

oh, i love the circle quilt! and your wall color is amazing...=)

Julie said...

You should email Real Simple magazine for their page on unexpected uses for things. But, seriously, I would like more details on that cute quilt on the back. Circles are different/difficult and so cute! That's a beautiful quilt.

Madge said...

I love that quilt on the couch! Are those applique or inlaid circles? I gave you an award on my blog today. I know I haven't been commenting much but have been lurking a lot. love your blog.

Kathleen said...

Great photo Jacquie...very artistic. I too love that circle quilt and the cushions look really good as contrast.

Your swap quilt with the green ribbon was up on flickr..she loves the trim so what do I know!! Keep enjoying your sewing.

Amy said...

I'm glad to know that I am not the only one fretting over a couch. I have a sort of woven, tweed couch...pretty but impractical. I love your idea, thanks :)

Sara said...

Don't you love that "trust me" look! I never knew you could shave a sofa, I wonder if you can shave other things too?? Hmmm....

Doris said...

Like many of your commenters, I too, LOVE that circle quilt!

I use razors (disposable girly kind) to shave my sweaters a lot. Never thought of a hair clippers...

Rebekah said...

funny! I'll have to keep that in mind the next time I need to shave something.

Cute quilt and I love your little couch vignette!

Cami said...

I love the quilt on the couch! Did you make that? I just love it, where did you get the pattern? I'm glad shaving the couch worked cause my friend tried it on a sweater once and it didn't work.

Stina Blomgren said...

Brilliant idea!! Made me smile a lot... and I love the circle quilt on the sofa!!!

MelissaS said...

I did the same thing with the sweater shaver thingy on my brushed twill that pills and collects cat hair.! Love it!

Laurie said...

OMG...your DH actually had a SUPER idea??????????!!!!!!!!!!! GO FIGURE! LOL...love the quilt on the couch as as well as the picture frames!

Lina said...

Glad it worked out for you - I imagine it could have had disastrous consequences otherwise! Love the quilt by the way.

Nanette Merrill said...

Sometimes the man in the house DOES know best!! I love the quilts on the sofa.

MichelleB said...

I too love the quilt on the sofa, and the color of the wall and pillows. Okay, I just want to plop right down on that sofa!

abcgirl said...

i know everyone else has already asked, but ... seriously! tell us more about the circle quilt! love it, love it, love it.

A Spoonful Of Sugar said...

Great story! I also love that the quilt on the sofa - please show us more of it!!

Trisha said...

Oh, I laughed so hard! Thanks for the funny/informative post!

erica e said...

love that polkadot quilt on your sofa!

2ndAvenueStudio-Rachel said...

Save that sofa! I have been looking for the "right" sofa for 2 years. What a neat trick! im gonna keep it in mind.
Looks like we all want a blog entry about that circle quilt... get on that! :}

Jeanette said...

Very clever to shave the couch! And can I just say, I adore that quilt on the back of your couch, are the circles appliqued? It's so cute!

Anonymous said...

Ah, I'm thrilled with the idea of using the hair clippers to trim my sofa, but, more importantly, I love that QUILT! It's so pretty.