1. Den of Angels is closing in August 2026. New account registrations are closed. Please see this thread in Den of Angels news for important information: /threads/the-future-of-den-of-angels.893314/
    Dismiss Notice

Making A Sofa (Couch) Tutorial

Jan 21, 2010

Watch Thread
Page 1 of 3
    1. Inspired by the brilliant sofa makers here I decided my Dolls needed to have their own sofa. With the help of my assistant Kyra and my trusty camera to record the event I embarked on my first foray into furniture making.

      I've put the photos together in the form of a tutorial. I hope others find it useful. Please post pics of any sofas you make using it. I'd love to see your results. :)

      MATERIALS
      Cardboard box for seat section. For an MSD a nice size would be around 10 to 12 inches (25 to 30cms) long by 3inches (7.5cms) high by 5-6 inches (12.5 to 15cms) deep. Don't be ruled by those numbers though... this is only an approximation.
      My sofa is a little taller but thats fine with me.
      Cardboard from a packing box. Nice thick stuff with the corrugated layer inside is sturdy and commonly found.
      Tape. I use packing tape.
      Hot glue gun and plenty of sticks. (You can use craft glue but it's slower.)
      Fabric. I used a print crushed velour but anything that isn't too thin or see through will do.
      Batting
      Cold water to put burnt fingers in OUCH!

      Find a suitably sized box. This one once packaged a mug and box of Baileys Irsh Cream Fudge (YUM!) Measure up the box and cut appropriate sized back, sides and seat in thick packaging cardboard. Cut two pieces each for the sides (arm rests) This cardboard came from a box with a large power tool in it. You can use any stiff card or craft board. cardboard is free, though, just save your big boxes.
      [​IMG]

      Bind the two pieces of card for the armrests together with tape (I used packing tape) for extra thickness. You should have two double thick armrests as displayed by my lovely assistant here.
      [​IMG]

      This is how the back and seat should go together. NOTE don't be confused... this card has a shiny white side and a dull brown side... later on you'll see it used flipped up the other way. this wasn't intentional... i didn't think about consistency with the images at the time.
      [​IMG]

      This is how everything should look assembled. Use heaps of tape to secure everything rock solid.
      [​IMG]

      My fudge box had a big hole where the items inside where displayed. No problem! the lip around it was big enough to support the seat which i designed to be loose so it could be lifted up to store stuff inside.
      [​IMG]

      Test drive with Shadowvixen.
      [​IMG]

      Now for a trip down to the fabric shop to pick up some fabric and batting. This is my assistant's doll's couch so she got to pick the fabric. Pink and purple... her favourite colours.
      [​IMG]

      Time to cover. This is where things get fiddley.
      First glue the front ends of the armrests with strips of fabric... snip and tuck to follow the curves. Then cut a piece of fabric for the front of the base, fold and glue at each side and glue in place. (Remember to glue the top end into the box opening in the seat and tuck and glue under the sofa.)
      [​IMG]

      Sofa lying on it's back. Cover the back with batting. Glue and trim to shape.
      [​IMG]

      Cover the back of the sofa... make sure the piece is big enough to go into the hole in the seat at the front and extend down the back to tuck under the sofa AND wide enough to wrap around the sides of the couch for about an inch or so. Glue in place. carefully fold/snip and glue around the curves at either end of the top back of the couch. (Note: don't glue to batting as this will make the back lumpy and spoil the look.)
      [​IMG]

      CONTINUED IN NEXT POST.
       
      #1 Chaypeta, Jan 21, 2010
      Tools
      + Quote Reply
    2. Cut two strips of batting and fabric to size. Glue edges of fabric over the edges of the batting.
      [​IMG]

      Place these over the armrests to cover and pad them. Glue in place. Tuck and glue each end into the seat hole and under the sofa.
      [​IMG]

      Glue three layers of batting to the cardboard for the seat and cover with fabric. Glue on the underside.
      [​IMG]

      Place seat on the sofa. Don't glue it if you want to use the sofa for storage.
      Finished! That wasn't so hard was it?
      Now go find some bandaids for the glue blisters on your hands.
      [​IMG]

      Shadowvixen enjoying the sofa.
      [​IMG]

      Until she gets pushed off byTeresa who owns it.
      [​IMG]

      But they agree to share... until Shadow gets her own sofa.
      Kyra and Ember say goodbye for now. Thanks for watching guys. have fun with your sofa making. :)
      [​IMG]
       
      #2 Chaypeta, Jan 21, 2010
      Tools
      + Quote Reply
      • x 3
    3. I like you sofa, it's a really great idea.
      One day i need to try to do something like you.
      Thank you.
       
      #3 Symi, Jan 21, 2010
      Tools
      + Quote Reply
    4. Great tute!

      Also, is your cute little dog a Schipperke?
       
      #4 snarkypants, Jan 21, 2010
      Tools
      + Quote Reply
    5. So adorable!!! :D It's such a cute idea, I'll try this idea out! ^_^
       
      #5 Mari-Kitty, Jan 21, 2010
      Tools
      + Quote Reply
    6. this is so cute~ after i finish the sofa i am making now i will try out ur ways.
      Thxs
       
      #6 wince, Jan 21, 2010
      Tools
      + Quote Reply
    7. Oh wow, I was looking at the circular chair with storage space and now this! It's so incredibly helpful! I'm going to make a chaise lounge version and once I do, I'll post a pic of it here as well!
       
      #7 Adarhysenthe, Jan 21, 2010
      Tools
      + Quote Reply
    8. Great tutorial! I'll definitely try it in the future. :)
       
      #8 Femi, Jan 21, 2010
      Tools
      + Quote Reply
    9. This is awesome! I'm going to have to try making one for myself. Thanks so much for sharing this information and posting this tutorial.:):chocoheart:chocoberry:chocoheart
       
      #9 PoeticSoul, Jan 22, 2010
      Tools
      + Quote Reply
    10. I need to make one! Thanks for the tut! And your assistant is adorable.
       
      #10 PinkPoodle, Jan 22, 2010
      Tools
      + Quote Reply
    11. Thanks everyone. :) I hope this tutorial works for you. If you have any questions post here and I'll try to answer them.

      Snarkypants: Yes, Ember is a little girl schipperke. I have a boy as well called Loki. Not many people here know the breed. Always a buzz for me to find someone who recognises them. :)
       
      #11 Chaypeta, Jan 22, 2010
      Tools
      + Quote Reply
    12. great idea. i will try it out for sure! :)
       
      #12 ~Mello~, Jan 22, 2010
      Tools
      + Quote Reply
    13. This is awesome! I'm totally going to give it a try.
       
      #13 cedarheart, Jan 23, 2010
      Tools
      + Quote Reply
    14. I made one up last night, hehehe. It's more like an SD-sized love seat, and it's supremely-rough (finished it at 12:30 this morning!), but I love it for all it's flaws! It's quirky, like me :P (The lumps are because I couldn't find any batting in the stores close by, so I used that bed foam stuff you get to make your mattress more comfortable and bumpy, haha)

      [​IMG]

      Firestorm approves of it, hehehe.

      [​IMG]

      Thanks so much for the tutorial!!
       
      #14 takysa, Jan 23, 2010
      Tools
      + Quote Reply
    15. Thats so cute. I will have to try this! Thanks. :)
       
      #15 toffeeca, Jan 23, 2010
      Tools
      + Quote Reply
    16. Great idea. Thank you!!
       
      #16 scottiedoll, Jan 23, 2010
      Tools
      + Quote Reply
    17. Cute! That's very clever... and I think knowing this might come in handy for set building (for plays) when the budget is low and the design look is highly specific...
       
      #17 Verdego, Jan 23, 2010
      Tools
      + Quote Reply
    18. Tayysa: Wow that looks great. I love the quirkiness too, the lumpiness makes it look cosier. It has character. i like how you've modified it a little to have two cushion seats. Nice material too. is that like a suede?

      Verdego: i didn't consider the sofa design from that point of veiw. Actually, it could translate well. Have to remember that for my son's school theatre productions.
       
      #18 Chaypeta, Jan 23, 2010
      Tools
      + Quote Reply
    19. Such a great idea! I was thinking of buying one that cost more than my monthly budget. This is waaaayyy cheaper. Man I should have thought of making ages ago!
       
      #19 cherublove, Jan 23, 2010
      Tools
      + Quote Reply
    20. Thanks! Yeah, it's a micro-suede :) It matches our sectional and ottoman in the living room, hehehe. =^i^=
       
      #20 takysa, Jan 24, 2010
      Tools
      + Quote Reply
    21. I made a chair using the technique from this tutorial. With the idea to use paper machete boxes as the base from this tutorial ->http://www.denofangels.com/forums/showthread.php?t=265516

      [​IMG]

      Overall I'm pretty happy with it. It's a little lumpy, and I ended up with a couple glue spots on the fleece; but this was the first time I've done anything like this.
       
      #21 EleanorAnne, Jan 24, 2010
      Tools
      + Quote Reply
    22. This is probably the most useful tutorial I've seen on here yet!
      Thank you very much for posting.
      I hope my couch will look half as nice as yours.
      :sweat
       
      #22 Demien, Jan 24, 2010
      Tools
      + Quote Reply
    23. That turned out brilliant, EleanorAnne. very neat. Interesting idea to combine the two tutorials. It worked well.

      Thanks Demien. :)
       
      #23 Chaypeta, Feb 3, 2010
      Tools
      + Quote Reply
    24. This is so cool! I've been looking around at the couch tutorials today, and I love the easy to make and get to storage under the cushion! (By the way, your dog is adorable :D)
       
      #24 minakali, Jun 16, 2010
      Tools
      + Quote Reply
    25. good job , that is realy easy to do .
      And this little girl is so cute .
       
      #25 Thikrayat, Jun 19, 2010
      Tools
      + Quote Reply
    26. Awesome tutorial! :) Amazing what you can make with cardboard and hot glue. XD :aheartbea

      Here's the couch I put together for my MSD boy. :D

      [​IMG]

      Now to make a blanket and maybe a pillow or two for it to liven it up a bit. Kinda makes me think of an old, used couch right now. XD hurr~
       
      #26 Singull, Jun 27, 2010
      Tools
      + Quote Reply
    27. Thank you.
       
      #27 Blansh_Devit, Jun 29, 2010
      Tools
      + Quote Reply
    28. Thank you! This looks great. Your assistant and your dog are precious. c:

      I want to try this sometime soon, and I will definitely show you my results when I do. Thank you again! I really appreciate you sharing your method with everyone!
       
      #28 yourlegsgrow, Jun 29, 2010
      Tools
      + Quote Reply
    29. Brilliant! I must try this
       
      #29 Cathybear, Jul 4, 2010
      Tools
      + Quote Reply
    30. Thanks for the tutorial!
       
      #30 barabara, Jul 8, 2010
      Tools
      + Quote Reply
    31. Thats awesome. I was like the others and thinking of actually buying one, but now I can make my own and have it perfect
       
      #31 bubblegum_phoenix, Aug 10, 2010
      Tools
      + Quote Reply
    32. Wow, that sofa looks awesome!
       
      #32 bbqweasel, Aug 11, 2010
      Tools
      + Quote Reply
    33. Here's the sofa we made with my sister:

      [​IMG]

      It was worth the efforts, our boys love it. :blush
       
      #33 barabara, Aug 12, 2010
      Tools
      + Quote Reply
    34. Great Tutorial and fairly easy to follow! If it weren't extremely early in the morning I would try it myself now. Though with the doll not here yet, it's kind of hard to tell how big to make it...

      Anyone have any ideas on size proportions? I know you posted one size in the main post, but how much bigger should the couch be than the doll to make it look realistic?
       
      #34 dragonofl5, Aug 14, 2010
      Tools
      + Quote Reply
    35. I made a couch using your tut :) it looks crooked in the pic, dunno why =/ it's straight.
      [​IMG][​IMG]
       
      #35 Vivi1988, Aug 14, 2010
      Tools
      + Quote Reply
    36. I looked at your tutorial and another one somewhere and made a sofa for my group yesterday, but mine is multi use as the seat portion is also my minifees bed frame
      [​IMG]
      [​IMG]
      you can see the bed fram in the middle
      [​IMG]
       
      #36 kpatillo, Aug 14, 2010
      Tools
      + Quote Reply
    37. I am sooo going to try this!!
       
      #37 Annelies, Aug 15, 2010
      Tools
      + Quote Reply
    38. IEP this goes on my to do list! I was looking for something to seat my dolls on! this would look so nice with crochet pillows ans a trow!
       
      #38 vegetawoman, Aug 15, 2010
      Tools
      + Quote Reply
    39. I'm a big fan of reusing cardboard, so this tutorial is fantastic.
       
      #39 kwmelvin, Aug 15, 2010
      Tools
      + Quote Reply
    40. I'll have to try this for my one SD. He wants a "king" chair to sit on and I'm too poor to shell out money for a nice couch for him. Hehehe
       
      #40 AyumiMasai, Aug 15, 2010
      Tools
      + Quote Reply
    41. Oh wow. This is fantastic, I was gonna make mine out of WOOD when I got my doll... (That would cost WAY more, and I have no idea how to work with wood anyways. xD ) This is sooo simple. And I love super fluffy couches, so all I would have to do is mod it a little by putting more cardboard on the sides and back, and adding like, 20 more sheets of fluff. Can't wait to try this when I get him C8 thanks.
       
      #41 Pancake-fairy, Aug 16, 2010
      Tools
      + Quote Reply
    42. Wow, great tutorial and I love your assistants! :)
       
      #42 plastic_princess, Aug 16, 2010
      Tools
      + Quote Reply
    43. Great tutorial, thanks!
       
      #43 issadora, Aug 18, 2010
      Tools
      + Quote Reply
    44. your sofas are amazing! and you've got so many...
       
      #44 white paw, Aug 20, 2010
      Tools
      + Quote Reply
    45. Wooooaaaaaah! What a great idea! That's totally cool! :D I'll have to try that out! I have tons of cardboard and tape lying around thanks to the triathlon XD And with my cosplay hobby, I know there's a ton of fabric and batting laying around.

      Great tutorial!
       
      #45 DamirSoull, Aug 20, 2010
      Tools
      + Quote Reply
    46. ooo, I like this idea. Thanks for sharing! :)
       
      #46 MadTeaPartyDesigns, Aug 21, 2010
      Tools
      + Quote Reply
    47. Wow, what a great idea! I might actually be interested in doing this myself, my girls could use a couch. Thank you so much for sharing!
       
      #47 nekoarc, Aug 24, 2010
      Tools
      + Quote Reply
    48. Mate, this is brilliant! :D I must bow to you! SALUTE! I have put my mind in so many different directions trying to think of how to make things, and in doing do, I skip past the more simple solution. ^^ Thank you for stretching my mind in a new direction, the one right in front of me! :D
       
      #48 Kandi_Slave, Aug 24, 2010
      Tools
      + Quote Reply
    49. Ah.... This is embarrassing. ;^__^ It's my first photo post, and it's kinda awful. XD

      I sort of ran off immediately after I posted that last comment and just kept going without actually finishing the tutorial. I skimmed it, got the general idea that you use cardboard as a base, and then got too excited to finish it. I realize now the internal structure is VERY different than yours. Mine is a series of cut cardboard and popsicle sticks designed to hold it and be hollow but have a strong, reinforced foundation. ^^ Unfortunately, attaching the backboard and armrests was a bit more difficult and I will have to figure out more ways to make sure it doesn't fall apart. :D

      [​IMG]
       
      #49 Kandi_Slave, Aug 24, 2010
      Tools
      + Quote Reply
    50. Subscribes...Im definitely trying this one out! Its so hard to find SD size couches. You have made it look very easy but I shall see what I come up with :) Thank you for posting!
       
      #50 honestrabbit, Aug 25, 2010
      Tools
      + Quote Reply
    51. OMG! I really love this idea. I am going to try it. I haven't order my doll yeat but I am going to get some things ready for his arrival. Thanks
       
      #51 chakagarcia, Aug 25, 2010
      Tools
      + Quote Reply
    52. So creative ideia! Thanks for sharing with us ♥! Very cute sofa x3
       
      #52 HadasXD, Aug 26, 2010
      Tools
      + Quote Reply
    53. Awesome idea! :D I'll most likely try this when I get my first doll!
       
      #53 snoopy, Aug 26, 2010
      Tools
      + Quote Reply
    54. This is awesome, thank you for sharing! I'm going to try it out asap :)
       
      #54 Peachfluff, Aug 26, 2010
      Tools
      + Quote Reply
    55. This sofa is so clever. What a beautiful daughter you have. The dog is riot, she looks like she is supervising lol
       
      #55 bdwvr, Aug 26, 2010
      Tools
      + Quote Reply
    56. That's awesome!
      I'll have to try this weekend > w<

      Though I'll have to find a place to put it since Its going to be for SDs xD
       
      #56 Chibi_Fluffy, Aug 27, 2010
      Tools
      + Quote Reply
    57. Thanks for posting this! I have finished the base of my first couch and will be working on the cushions and throw pillows tomorrow. Will post my results when finished! :)
       
      #57 masala_chai_tea, Sep 13, 2010
      Tools
      + Quote Reply
    58. Oh wow, I'm definitely giving this a try!
       
      #58 KiwiNinamori, Sep 13, 2010
      Tools
      + Quote Reply
    59. Nice! But does anyone have a tutorial for making some free space for furniture?.. (((
       
      #59 Verdigris, Sep 15, 2010
      Tools
      + Quote Reply
    60. wow! what a great idea! ill be sure to try this out. grats to you :3
       
      #60 yukinko, Sep 15, 2010
      Tools
      + Quote Reply
98 more posts
Page 1 of 3
Draft saved Draft deleted
Toggle Width
Styler
Styler
Color Options
Color Options