The Sewing Place

T shirt to cushion cover advice

Lilian

T shirt to cushion cover advice
« on: June 11, 2019, 13:02:18 PM »
I have been asked to make two cushion covers from two very memorable T shirts. They are quite thin cotton and very stretchy.  I have never made cushion covers from thin stretchy fabric before.  I am contemplating using lightweight iron-on interfacing but don't know how it will react when washed.  I don't want to spoil them   -< Does anyone have any advice or tips?   :vintage:
Willing but not always able :)

Lilian

Re: T shirt to cushion cover advice
« Reply #1 on: June 11, 2019, 21:17:17 PM »
Can anyone help me with this?  :vintage:
Willing but not always able :)

BrendaP

Re: T shirt to cushion cover advice
« Reply #2 on: June 11, 2019, 22:19:38 PM »
Use a good quality knit interfacing.  If it's well fused to the tee shirt fabric it should wash Ok.
Brenda.  My machines are: Corona, a 1953 Singer 201K-3, Caroline, a 1940 Singer 201K-3, Thirza, 1949 Singer 221K, Azilia, 1957 Singer 201K-MK2 and Vera, a Husqvarna 350 SewEasy about 20 years old. Also Bernina 1150 overlocker and Elna 444 Coverstitcher.
http://paternoster.orpheusweb.co.

Lilian

Re: T shirt to cushion cover advice
« Reply #3 on: June 11, 2019, 22:35:05 PM »
Use a good quality knit interfacing.  If it's well fused to the tee shirt fabric it should wash Ok.

I didn't think a knit interfacing would work, would it stabilize it the same as Vsilene F220?

I don't have time to buy that interfacing as these are for a Father's Day present and I only have the next 2 days available to make them :(
Willing but not always able :)

BrendaP

Re: T shirt to cushion cover advice
« Reply #4 on: June 11, 2019, 22:42:12 PM »
No. 

Vilene F220 is the standard, lightweight  non-woven.
Vilene H609 is their stretch interfacing.
Brenda.  My machines are: Corona, a 1953 Singer 201K-3, Caroline, a 1940 Singer 201K-3, Thirza, 1949 Singer 221K, Azilia, 1957 Singer 201K-MK2 and Vera, a Husqvarna 350 SewEasy about 20 years old. Also Bernina 1150 overlocker and Elna 444 Coverstitcher.
http://paternoster.orpheusweb.co.

Lilian

Re: T shirt to cushion cover advice
« Reply #5 on: June 11, 2019, 22:50:52 PM »
Thanks @BrendaP I'm unsure what to do now.  If I use the F220 woven I thought it would make the fabric act as a woven.  Do you think that would still work?
Willing but not always able :)

BrendaP

Re: T shirt to cushion cover advice
« Reply #6 on: June 11, 2019, 22:54:47 PM »
The F220 will reduce the stretch more than the H609, which is maybe what you want.  If you are using just the fronts and backs of the tee shirts for the cushions you could try fusing different interfacings to a sleeve to see how it looks.
Brenda.  My machines are: Corona, a 1953 Singer 201K-3, Caroline, a 1940 Singer 201K-3, Thirza, 1949 Singer 221K, Azilia, 1957 Singer 201K-MK2 and Vera, a Husqvarna 350 SewEasy about 20 years old. Also Bernina 1150 overlocker and Elna 444 Coverstitcher.
http://paternoster.orpheusweb.co.

Lilian

Re: T shirt to cushion cover advice
« Reply #7 on: June 11, 2019, 22:58:16 PM »
The F220 will reduce the stretch more than the H609, which is maybe what you want.  If you are using just the fronts and backs of the tee shirts for the cushions you could try fusing different interfacings to a sleeve to see how it looks.

Yes I want to reduce the stretch but I only have F220 in, so will try some on the sleeves.  I am using the fronts and backs and making a simple envelope opening, for both. Thanks for the links too  :) :vintage:
Willing but not always able :)

Greybird

Re: T shirt to cushion cover advice
« Reply #8 on: June 11, 2019, 23:00:10 PM »
Are these going to be "used"? Will they be sat on, pushed behind someone etc, or will they simply be sat on a chair for occasional use? If the latter, they aren't going to need to be washed often so you need not worry about the effect of washing on the interfacing. An alternative might be to mount the T shirt fabric onto a piece of woven cotton (sheeting for instance). To counteract the stretchiness of the T shirt, you could machine stitch in squares across, a bit like quilting maybe 4" apart. In a matching thread it wouldn't interfere with the design too much.

Lilian

Re: T shirt to cushion cover advice
« Reply #9 on: June 11, 2019, 23:05:56 PM »
@Greybird Thanks, I'm not sure whether they will be sat on or just for decoration, as they will be very treasured and a surprise, I would think they wouldn't be used so much.  I did think of mounting them on woven but I don't want to stitch through the pictures as some are children's hand drawings.  I'll try the F220 and see how it looks.  :vintage:
Willing but not always able :)

Greybird

Re: T shirt to cushion cover advice
« Reply #10 on: June 11, 2019, 23:08:22 PM »
Look forward to seeing the finished articles!

Iminei

Re: T shirt to cushion cover advice
« Reply #11 on: June 12, 2019, 05:11:17 AM »
Yes ... How did this thread get to 10 posts without a single pic ???

You know the drill Lilian ... pics please!  0_0
The Imperfect Perfectionist sews again

b15erk

Re: T shirt to cushion cover advice
« Reply #12 on: June 12, 2019, 10:04:51 AM »
I would use whatever interfacing you have available, and then back it with a woven fabric  - cotton or poly cotton.  That should give it enough stability to be sat on.

Jessie
Jessie, who is very happy to be here!!  :),  but who has far too many sewing machines to be healthy, and a fabric stash which is becoming embarrassing.

Lilian

Re: T shirt to cushion cover advice
« Reply #13 on: June 12, 2019, 17:28:01 PM »
For @Iminei   :P This is one of them but it turns out to be more a rectangle so I decided a border top & bottom might look better. I have been given two square cushions 45x45cm and 50x50cm. I habe sent this pic and am waiting an answer.  I don't really want to be taking stuffing out to make the cushion into a recatngle! LOL typo!
Willing but not always able :)

Iminei

Re: T shirt to cushion cover advice
« Reply #14 on: June 12, 2019, 17:36:12 PM »
Perfect colour for the borders @Lilian !

Why give them the choice ... Just say its going to be a square cushion.
Im assuming youre doing this for love rather than payment?
The Imperfect Perfectionist sews again