Props Easy Sofa/Bench

Thought I'd share my crafting project with you all.

Doll sofa/bench by Coulombe, on Flickr

I have a lot of shipping boxes and bubble wrap and foam sheets that I hate to send to the landfill when they can be re-used and repurposed. I thought to make some upholstered look couches for my Troupe d'Coulombe (my bjd family). I started saving plastic lids from quart size juice bottles, cold coffee bottles and rubber/wood wine corks for furniture feet.

When I found the right size box, I carefully folded bubble wrap to tightly fill the box and sealed all edges of the box closed with packing tape. (The tape is also recycled when possible- I leave it hanging from the edge of my crafting table!) I then washed some lightweight upholstery fabric I had in my stash to shrink it, and to add a quilted and textured look to the sofa. I wrapped the box with the fabric and whipstitched by hand all the edges closed.

Using a chocolate box that matched the length of my base box, I added shape to the box for a cushioned look using saved cardboard rolls from paper towels that I filled with more bubble wrap for stability and taped them to the long ends of the chocolate box. That too, was wrapped in the leftover upholstery fabric and whipstitched closed.

I then decided I needed a hinge in back so the settee would be usable to different sizes dolls based on whether the lid/cushion was opened or closed. I had one last scrap of fabric with which to sew on the hinge. As my fabric wasn't long enough for the base box on this occasion, I added some crochet blocks I had saved in my stash to hide the box from showing through. I wrapped the fabric hinge around the lid piece so it can support the doll. I may do another using ribbon for the hinges on the sides.


Doll sofa/bench by Coulombe, on Flickr

And there you have it! I will probably add a few more to this thread in time. I would like to experiment with different shapes, decorations and fabrics. This design is stable yet lightweight and stackable for storage. And, will travel easily for the next doll meet, and sits two! I would love to see what others can come up with from the things you may already have around the house, too!

 

@electrospecter
Groovy!! Glad the project inspired you! My big faceless Diana is 70cm, and I wanted someplace for her to be able to sit, so all the bubble wrap makes it super sturdy, yet lightweight. I like the idea of making a storage bench type, too! In order for the box to be strong enough to support a heavy doll, I was thinking to glue double layers of cardboard, or any other material you want for extra support! I'm sure there's lots of great ideas, and I hope people will share them!

 

@AlisonVonderland .
Thank you!! Yes, storing doll furniture takes up too much space. It looks decent without the feet, too and then they would be easier to stack. I've made doll beds for my tinies using the box base method also. I have stashes of embroidered hankies, and crochet doilies and such things that make sweet headboard and pillows. I do love being able to use these vintage keepsakes in ways I can enjoy everyday instead of having them off in storage somewhere!

 

@ellie
Thank you!! I don't post my projects too often, so when people take the time to say they like it, I am all the more encouraged!

 

@JL_The_Lion
Thank you, my Fine Flickr Friend!

 

@chrstphrl , @yovela , @Rosydolls .
My pleasure to share the project! Thank YOU!