RE: Repairing a Couch with Cigarette Burns
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Post By rae (Guest Post)
(01/03/2008)
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I bought a kit that comes with a movie to give you directions that will repair anything cloth or any kind of fabric. I bought it to fix a suit with moth holes in it. You fill in the hole with a certain type of powder and your fabric. (mostly the fiber shredded from the fabric) I went to find it to give you the name for it and I couldn't. It is lurking somewhere in my closet with all the other items I keep looking for. You could probably find it by looking on line under fabric repair.
One problem I found with washable fabric glue recently is that it leaves a spot darker than the material that I can see on my sweater,
RE: Repairing a Couch with Cigarette Burns
If you want to do it your self, it's as easy as pie. One solution is to buy a good quality fabric glue (I like the clear one in the clear bottle, as it's one of the only brands that is both machine washable, machine dryable & dry cleanable too) Then glue the matching piece onto the couch. You will also need to buy "Fray Check"... both the Fabric glue & the Fray Check are available at Walmart or at any Fabric or Craft store for twice the price.
1) First make sure you have a fairly solid place to glue the new fabric on to. This means you'll most likely need to reinforce the burn areas: Take a tiny, thin, sturdy piece of woven fabric (like a piece of a sheet or pillow case), Then take this piece of strong woven fabric & put glue on the front side of it, then tuck the glued piece IN to each burned area & glue the tiny piece of fabric inside the area, by gluing the front of the woven fabric to the back of the burned area (inside the burn) Do each burn this way, to reinforce EACH burned spot. The fabrics should overlap by about 3/4 of an inch. Then let the glue dry overnight.
***Depending on the type of fabric your couch is made from: you could use an "Iron-On Webbing" or "Hem Tape" placed backwards inside the holes. This would eliminate the need for fabric glue, But your couch fabric would need to be made from wool or cotton because the iron would need to get pretty hot & if it's made from synthetic fabric it could melt with the heat of the iron.
2) take a piece of Aluminum foil & put this on to the couch where the burns are. Run your fingers over the foil that has been placed over the burn holes. The aluminum foil will make an indentation where you've rubbed it. This will be your "Pattern"... Cut each pattern piece of foil out & set these on to the front of your pillow fabric being careful to match grain & pattern. Because these sections of foil will be to small to pin, instead secure them with school glue.... That's glue that dissolves in water, or any TEMPORARY glue. A piece of tape might work?
2) Next, take your new matching fabric & carefully cut each piece out to fit the burned area. Then use the "Fray Check" all around EACH & every edge (so the fabric won't fray because you won't be hemming it). Then let the Fray Check dry.
3) Glue the tiny pieces of fabric (with fabric glue) to the area youalready reinforced & press down a bit.
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* When you cut out the matching fabric, be sure to match not only the pattern & color, but also the "Nap".... That's the "grain" or "pile" of the fabric... Like when you run your hand across velvet one way, then back the other way, you are seeing the "Nap" of the fabric... so be sure to also match the nap when you decide which way to cut your patch fabric.
---> If you have an area that is just plain FULL of holes... Then you can use a large patch in that area instead of the many smaller ones. But either way, make sure to either use the "Fray Check" OR you'll need to hem the edges
*** If the burns are Only or Mainly on the arms of the Couch you can make matching "Arm Covers" from the throw pillows by just removing the stuffing then laying the flat pillow over the arms of the couch. (unless you sew.... Then you can cut the pillow fabric apart & hem the edges).. You can always add stick-on Velcro to the arms to keep the covers on, That way you can take them off & wash them. Many couches come with arm covers to prevent wear & tear on the arms.
If you don't understand my directions, feel free to write me on ThriftyFun.
Request: Cigarette Burn on MicroSuede (Microfiber) Couch
How do I fix a cigarette burn in a microfiber sectional?
Denise from Glenolden, PA
Answers:
RE: Cigarette Burn on MicroSuede (Microfiber) Couch
I'd FIRST turn the sofa over and look beneath the dust covering on the bottom BACK SIDE for enough extra fabric for my own three patches:(usually in the corners) 1) for the "test"patch to see how the glue will work, if it will darken the fabric or bleed through? 2) for the mating of fabrics after glue is applied/dried, (check for stiffness after drying) and 3)for the final patching if both tests pass/meet with your approval.
Then I'd VERY CAREFULLY cut the burned edges off the hole with manicure scissors, carefully insert the patch that's bigger than the hole, and use a "marine" glue on a toothpick to gently apply to the lifted hole you've either squared off, or left nice and round. Remember that the glue will NOT come out, so place a large piece of waxed paper with the exact same size hole as the one being repaired, over the trimmed hole to avoid any drips of glue accidents, weighting it down with face cloths at the far corners, to avoid slippage or blowing away.
You'll need a light touch, not a heavy hand. Don't try to put too much glue on at a time, and place it onto the UNDERSIDE Of the patch if possible. When you think you have
covered the underside evenly and completely, VERY gently, as if working with collector stamps, press the
piece down a LITTLE, not too hard because the glue, if only a tiny bit, may ooze back out the cut edges. Have a new toothpick ready just in case, to remove any glue immediately should that happen anyway. Make certain you have added the glue to the very edges of the hole
underneath it before pressing.
If successful, I'd GENTLY place a book on it AND the was paper until a day has passed. check for dryness by GENTLY removing the book straight up, not sliding over the patched hole. This isn't going to be easy, but you can try to call the mfg. and pay their price, IF it doesn't work, right? Remember to use a NEW toothpick every time you load it with glue, to prevent it from dripping or sticking where you DON'T want it.
Be sure to squeeze a tiny ball of glue out into a jar lid, THEN pick the glue up with the toothpick as you need it. Do NOT be tempted to load glue directly from the tube, nor OVER the sofa. Work only over a paper plate or something like that, with the glue and used toothpick. Good luck.God bless and help you. : ) (07/30/2007)
By Lynda
Request: Cigarette Burn on MicroSuede (Microfiber) Couch
I need to repair a cigarette burn in a micro suede couch. Any suggestions?
Aoibhell
Answers:
RE: Cigarette Burn on MicroSuede Couch
I am not sure what micro suede is exactly, but maybe you could get a patch? I had a leather couch and got a leather repair kit with patches, and it worked well for me. Maybe they have a patch kit for a micro suede couch?? And if that would be noticeable maybe you could make a patch out of similar material (look at material and see if you can find one to match)? If that won't work...I'd call the manufacturer and see what they say. Good luck with your couch!! (04/11/2006)
By katieandjeffy
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