PatternReview.com online sewing community
Join our community of 579,259 sewists!
SIGNUP Membership is free and includes 1 free lesson
Login |
Join our community of 579,259 sewists!
Signup | Login
To participate in the PatternReview.com forums please Login or Join PatternReview
Member since 3/21/08
Posts: 59
Send Message
Posted on: 3/5/12 2:43 PM ET
I am recovering some upholstered couch cushions, and carefully took apart one of the originals to use as a pattern. I was actually DELIGHTED to see it had rather simple construction. The cushions are shaped sort of like a triangular rectangle....like a flat-ish box that's more wedge-shaped at the base (for lower back support, I guess.)

SOMEHOW...(!!!!!)...(and I know it sounds utterly CRAZY!!!)...the pieces didn't fit together after I cut them out. Of course, did not realize this until almost finished. It was hard putting the cording/piping in smoothly, as I was sewing from the back through a lot of upholstery fabric. And one piece was too short (thankfully, along the bottom, which won't show.)

So I ripped it apart and sewed it again by hand, using small stiches, and realized this wasn't actually the worst thing in the world. People have sewn with plain needle and thread for centuries! It made me think how exclusively I was thinking of my machine as pertains to sewing.

I added some more fabric on the bottom, and it's coming together. I never thought I could recover these on my own, and even if it's not going exactly as planned, I can tell they're going to look pretty good. (It's a beautiful, thick beige silk with a lot of shlubs in it....almost like a tiny cordaroy. The "ribs" in it have been very helpful to follow as I'm stitching up the sides.)

Also...put in my first zipper!!! So, a good project. I think the other two will come together a lot easier after I'm done with this one.


-- Edited on 3/5/12 2:45 PM --
-- Edited on 3/5/12 2:48 PM --
  
Member since 12/28/07
Posts: 20238
Send Message
Posted on: 3/5/12 3:23 PM ET
In reply to Hollywood Hills Cookie

LOVE your pic.. I think we should all use an animal for our avators. They are a lot cuter than we are ..

SOMEHOW.. No its not unusual.. fabrics are all different and can have a difference in how they stretch and so forth. Closing a pillow by hand can often look best. I do gobs of hand sewing while listening to the TV in the evenings.

Practice makes perfect and better than that.. its how you learn.. You might want to make a couple of notes about anything out of the ordinary to remind you next time what to what out for.. and so on.. On big upholstery projects I often take pics as I go along. That can also help.

Another note on this though.. the SM can often push one side thru faster then the other. for instance the top fabric might go thru while the bottom drags.. think about this piecing a quilt thing.. same here.. Thats why I use my pfaff with the IDT. and some use a walking foot. Or a box feed system such as is on the juki.

But rest assured.. its a common problem..

You might want to try using a blind stitch needle.. one that curves. and close off with blind stitches.. its what I do.. so you never see the thread at all using the curved blind stitch needle. Takes only a bit of practice to use one ...

I am so glad to see others doing home dec.. I love it.
  
Member since 3/21/08
Posts: 59
Send Message
Posted on: 3/5/12 4:01 PM ET
Dear Pigling: (love your colorful avatar, too!)

You know, I thought of a curved needle when I switched tracks, as I know that's what upholsterers use. I will seek one out!

One thing I "invented" for myself this time (because I knew I'd have to make 6 side pieces all the same) is I traced and cut out a template of that piece on cardboard. This made it easy to iron down their hems all around...ie, the fabric that fell outside the template after I'd cut out a rougher shape just got pressed back over the cardboard. I flatened the hems back, later, but it gave me a crease to follow for stitching.

I'm diving into cushions and home decor because I passed a GREAT fabric sale on the way to work. A ritzy curtain-maker was trying to unload old remnants at $2.00-$4.00 a yard! So I was like, Well, all it will cost you is time, really. So instead of telling yourself for the next few years (AGAIN!) that you'll save up to have someone recover those, just TRY it!

It helps that I like that worn, kind of English cottage look (in moderation!) So if pillows are a little lumpy or something like that, it sort of fits into the aged effect. Thank God!


-- Edited on 3/5/12 4:02 PM --
-- Edited on 3/5/12 4:06 PM --
-- Edited on 3/5/12 4:09 PM --
  
Member since 11/18/11
Posts: 899
Send Message
Posted on: 3/6/12 4:31 AM ET
I have a Hand Sewing sew a long if you'd like to join that. I sew as much as possible by hand as I find machine sewing inaccurate and I'm more comfortable sewing by hand than machine. (Although I admit I use the machine when I'm in a hurry....but it usually results in erm.....wonkyness. lol!)
------
'The purpose of most fashion is to be ostentatiously non-functional.'
  
* Advertising and soliciting is strictly prohibited on PatternReview.com. If you find a post which is not in agreement with our Terms and Conditions, please click on the Report Post button to report it.
Selected Reviews, Classes & Patterns