I have to tell you that I literally stand and dream over the dollhouse miniatures in the craft and toy stores. They are so pretty. So adorable! But 20 dollars and upwards for a couch? I don’t think so. Not fitting into our budget right now, anyway.
However, I just knew I could make my own for pennies. Especially with my inspirational books: a gift from my friend Alana, Most Wonderful Dollhouse Book
Gross, I know, but we had gravy biscuits from McDonald’s this weekend. Yes, I should be cooking from scratch. Anyhoo, the beautiful curve of this container caught my eye. A couch. For pennies. Hmmm.
The first thing to do was remove one side, wash it out good and dry it. Easy enough.
The next thing I did was to cut it nearly in half, taking the bigger portion for my couch base. This stuff is sturdy enough, I guess, but will need some cardboard reinforcement. Upstairs I go to my daugther’s room to plug in the hot glue gun.
I cut a piece of fabric to fit nicely over the base, with enough fabric to lap over and be glued down neatly underneath on all sides. I’ll trim as I go. (That’s pretty much the way I live, anyway.) The first step was to glue the fabric across the seat and then up each end. Then I did the inside back and inside corners. It worked out so that there was a nice upward crease of fabric in each inside corner. Looks real!
This will show you where the cardboard reinforcements were hot-glued into place. It made all the difference in this being something that will last. Also, work on the top and front of the couch first, as this is what will show. Once the seat was done, I neatly folded the fabric under on the front of the couch.
I trimmed the excess fabric and then gently but firmly pulled the fabric around on the sides and then the back.
All fabric glued into place, but it’s gotta be neater than this, and the cardboard reinforcement needs to be covered up. It’s got to look real! It also needs legs of some kind. Ah ha! Be right back…
I have just the thing. These little stones that I keep put up for my mosaic projects. And they match perfectly!
The last step was to cut a piece of fabric to fit neatly over the bottom — true craftsmanship! — and then glue the legs into place.
Finally, the dollhouse family have a beautiful couch for their home. So glad I did not splurge and get the 20 or 29 dollar couch!
The lesson? There are two.
- Necessity is the mother of invention.
- A penny saved is a penny earned.
More doll house adventures to come. Princess of the Universe loves her couch, by the way, and started playing with it immediately! 
Lynn
for you to leave a comment, but you can also e-mail me at lynn AT thehealthyhomeschool.com
Hi Lynn – like you, I’m melting in the garden but had to get out there today as it’s my watering day and everything needed a drink!
Love the little couch – such a great idea.
Kitties are cuter than ever – are you keeping them?
As for your bad reaction to the Rue – sorry this happened and hope you are doing OK. I have to wear sleeves, long pants and socks because of the mosquitoes and they still find me – I have a terrible time with the pesky things.
Lynn, there is a wonderful blog called Circle of the Year by Rowan in England. She seems to know a lot about healing with natural recipes which she makes from plants – perhaps she could advise you as to what you can use for this allergic reaction. Maybe a visit to her blog would be enjoyable too – she shows beautiful pics of places of interest. Anyway – just a suggestion dear as I want you better!
Rowan is at
http://circleoftheyear.blogspot.com/
Tell her I sent you – she seems like a delightful person and writes beautiful stories of her travels around the English countryside.
Take care – be well.
Mary – ACROSS THE POND
Mary.
Lynn, what a fantastic idea for the couch!! It’s funny how some things just ‘come’ to you, isn’t it? And, how great to save that $20-$30 on a doll house couch…..you can never go wrong there. I never knew those little accessories were so expensive…but I suppose I’m not entirely shocked, everything, it seems, is way overpriced anymore.
Mary, thank you for suggesting Rowan’s blog. It is beautiful! She has the most gorgeous pictures. I’m sure it’s a place I’ll be visiting again. I think my arms are getting better with wash and a salve that I’m using.
Melting in the garden is a good way to put it. Sigh. I’m still needing to get some vegetables in the ground, but it seems the seeds even would melt.
Stay cool,
Lynn
Sandra, thank you! I love to make things, but I enjoy shopping as much as the next person! I do a little of both, but a 20 or 30 dollar dollhouse couch is just over the line right now, especially with gas and groceries as high as they are.
Lynn
I loved doll houses when I was a young girl and I know I would have enjoyed the addition of your handmade couch. Very smart way to design it. Totally crazy what is charged for store bought. Aren’t you glad that you can create your own? Nice!
That was oh so clever of you! The dollies look very comfortable, too!
I put together a kit dollhouse about twenty years ago and I still have it…fully furnished. I love dollhouses!
Have a wonderful week!
Deborah