How to Paint a Sofa...Fabric and All...

So....there were a lot of comments on my painted furniture that prompted me to do a bit of a how-to and to give a bit of experienced advice here.
I just used regular old latex paint in a satin or a semi-gloss sheen...that way it is a bit wipe-able...since I have kids...washable is a big deal...
I use a bristle brush for the first coat. This helps me get into the cracks and folds and the little nooks and crannies of the fabric.
Speaking of fabric....
~~~~TIP~~~~
your fabric must be of the smooth variety...textures and velvets will not paint as nicely...velvets will clump and become matted and gross...textures will not be as 'leather-ish' in the end...
I also have concluded that the BEST fabric to paint is a cotton blend. It will stay softer than the poly blends that many pieces are upholstered in. The poly blends become a bit stiffer and do not feel as comfortable as the cotton blends. My chair is absolutely soft and feels like soft leather...where as the loveseat is a bit stiffer feeling...I have concluded that it is because of the fabric blend. I don't care right now...I like my loveseat...at least until I find a cotton blend one...hahaha.
Okay...back to the tutorial
Here's me painting the first coat on a cushion. Keep in mind now that I cannot take my own photos...especially if I am painting...so I had to enlist the help of my lovely "assistant" who ....~dazzles~ me daily with her helpfulness and skills...Today...she was ripping around the garage on a scooter...taking action shots and photos of the stupidest things...including the inside of her mouth, a VERY close up of my bum...her brother's nostrils...yea...you get the idea...so...needless to say...the "quality" of the photos may not be what you are expecting...
Yep...an action shot...make sure you get the paint into the seams and all of the exposed areas...

Talk on your cell phone while you paint...did I mention that she was supposed to take photos of the project??? NOT ME!!! (and yes... I am just stunning today...aren't I? haha)
After the first coat of paint has dried...about an hour or so...do not be upset if you can see through it. The paint will have soaked into the fabric a bit. I like to use a microfiber roller for the rest of the coats. It is small and made for doing trim and corners, but it doesn't leave bubbles in the coat...and it is flexible. Foam rollers will leave those little air bubbles...and you will have a lot of sanding between coats.
Between coats it is a good idea to give the project a light sanding with a fine grit sandpaper...wipe lightly and remove all sanding grit...then re-coat. Repeat this process as many times as you need to to give the piece a nice even appearance...and feel.
This is after 3 or 4 coats.
So...you go ahead and give it a final sanding...then, just before you apply the final coat...you decide you HATE that color...and turn around and add a few more coats of a fabulous color of your choice...wait for it to dry...several hours...
Then....you apply a finishing wax to the piece...I didn't like the finishing paste that I found in the hardware store...so I used car wax instead...my small buffer...and....
Ta-DA!!!
Overall...this project took me two days...I had to allow drying time. It cost me no more than a can of paint a thrift store loveseat and some frustration...I am happy with the outcome.
If you have any questions that I did not answer...please...feel free to ask.
I planned to share another fantastic piece...that I have acquired recently, but I could not get the blogger uploader to work...so you will have to wait...

See you back here...for Fertilizer Friday...I have been a busy Tootsie this week...so stay tuned!