Anyone do their own upholstery?

[parnold]

Hoping Doug will chime in here...

I will attempt to do my own upholstery on build #2. Fairly simple rectangular cushions. I have been looking at upholstery fabric on fleabay, and the pricing seems to run between $10 and $20 a yard. Is this overkill, purchasing upholstery fabric, or would a lighter fabric be sufficient?

The cost isn't the issue, but I'm wondering if a lighter weight fabric would be both easier to work with, and perhaps give me a wider selection.

Comments Please !

[bonnie]

Look for a local outlet store or Jackmans or JoAnn fabrics. You can get good quality material for under $10 a yard.

Two tips:

Make the cover about 1" smaller in dimension than the foam, so it will fit snugly.
Cover the foam with a very light weight dacron or lining material so it will slide into the covers more easily.

I've done some of this sort of thing and would be happy to offer help via pm or email.

Bonnie

[Forrest747]

Joanns also has coupons that are 50% off. look for them

[pete42]

My scamp had a very flexible soft plastic that they used to wrap the foam.
Once wrapped a vacuum cleaner hose was stuck thru a small hole and the foam was vacuumed into a small shape it was very easy to insert into the cover.
I did all six this way when I washed the covers.

pete

[parnold]

Bonnie and Pete: Good tips from both of you. I'll be sure to do a dry run with some waste fabric, so I get the sizing and technique down. Can't wait to do zippers again, I haven't done a zipper in 40 years. Anyone try using that new fangled stuff, velcro, instead of zippers?

There are no Joann's within 25 miles of me, but a few Wally worlds, and some independent fabric stores, so I have some places local to look.

Has anyone tried making cushions out of lighter weight material, or should I stay with the heavier upholstery fabric?

[Blotto Bros]

Stick to upholstery fabric. Lighter fabrics will all wear unevenly and stretch to the point your pattern becomes distorted.

[honeask]

Paul, I agree about the fabric. Thicker, more firm fabric will have a longer life for you, won't stretch as much and probably lay better too.

[bonnie]

Canvas duck and Blue Jean material work too. Won't wear as well. Several people I know have used the industrial sew on Velcro on cushions. Seems to work ok. Haven't heard a lot of complaints.

[CarlLaFong]

I worked, for a time, in a little upholstery shop when I was young. Making cushions is pretty simple. As already stated, be sure the foam is a bit bigger than the cover and cover them with muslin so they slip in easily. If you can access a heavy duty machine with a piping foot, you'll have a much easier time of it. You can make your own piping, which is very simple, and use the same foot to sew the covers together. Zippers are bit daunting. I would use Velcro or even snaps

[doug hodder]

You would do best with a heavier decorator type fabric. On my last trailer, I did up the cushions in Sunbrella...it's bullet proof. Typical garment or quilting type cottons won't hold up to the rigors of a seat cushion.

Do whatcha' want, but... there's a reason WalMart fabric is so cheap and that you can get 50% off at a JoAnns. Doug

[bonnie]

The 50% off works for the decorator fabric, too.

[eamarquardt]

You would do best with a heavier decorator type fabric. On my last trailer, I did up the cushions in Sunbrella...it's bullet proof. Typical garment or quilting type cottons won't hold up to the rigors of a seat cushion.

Do whatcha' want, but... there's a reason WalMart fabric is so cheap and that you can get 50% off at a JoAnns. Doug

Yer talking like you know something about fabrics!

Waiting for steel!

Cheers,

Gus

[S. Heisley]

1) Although it would look nice, most people don't bother with piping on these do-it-yourself trailers. It simply adds another level of complexity.

2) JoAnn Fabrics sells Sunbrella fabric, Crypton upholstery fabric, Waverly fabric...etc...etc. You can look at what they have online, too. (Although some of it is good, Walmart’s fabric is not usually high quality. Also, if you need more later, you may have a problem getting it, if it came from Walmart.)

3) You get what you pay for; but, sometimes you can get it on sale!

4) If you don’t have a lot of fabric shops around you, remember that you can get nearly anything you want via the Internet. However, you may want to see if you can get a sample of the fabric sent to you because you can't really see the thickness or true color of the fabric online.

Once you decide what you want, shop around on the Internet to see if you can get that product for less somewhere else.

[Ron Dickey]

Hoping Doug will chime in here...

I will attempt to do my own upholstery on build #2. Fairly simple rectangular cushions. I have been looking at upholstery fabric on fleabay, and the pricing seems to run between $10 and $20 a yard. Is this overkill, purchasing upholstery fabric, or would a lighter fabric be sufficient?

The cost isn't the issue, but I'm wondering if a lighter weight fabric would be both easier to work with, and perhaps give me a wider selection.

Comments Please !

you mean bed covers, quilts, pillow covers or what type are you doing.

If you do it with any thick fabric use a thick needle or it may break as you sew. I use to sew canvas. We have 2 used sewing machines now & parts to a 3rd. but non are for upholstery if you are sewing tough fabrics you may need a industrial machine.
What are you planning to make.
simple stuff like this

or more ornate like

[parnold]

Thanks to all for chiming in.

My plans are to make 4 seat cushions and perhaps curtains, but I don't know without having the material in my hands whether it would work for both. I only know of one quality textile store near me, they have been in the same location for 50 years, and my mother used to go there weekly. I estimate needing 3 yards for the cushions, so whatever I choose I'll get 5 yards.

I saw the word piping mentioned a couple times.. is that when you have the material wrapped around a little ropey thing? That would certainly give it a nice look.

I don't know if my cheap little sewing machine will be enough for all this, I guess I'll find out when I start. If not, I can always borrow my mothers ancient singer.