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The Emporia => House Beautiful => Topic started by: Lilian on June 11, 2019, 13:02:18 PM

Title: T shirt to cushion cover advice
Post by: Lilian 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:
Title: Re: T shirt to cushion cover advice
Post by: Lilian on June 11, 2019, 21:17:17 PM
Can anyone help me with this?  :vintage:
Title: Re: T shirt to cushion cover advice
Post by: BrendaP 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.
Title: Re: T shirt to cushion cover advice
Post by: Lilian 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 :(
Title: Re: T shirt to cushion cover advice
Post by: BrendaP on June 11, 2019, 22:42:12 PM
No. 

Vilene F220 (https://www.vlieseline.com/Products/Fusible-Interlinings/F-220) is the standard, lightweight  non-woven.
Vilene H609 (https://www.vlieseline.com/Products/Fusible-Interlinings/H-609) is their stretch interfacing.
Title: Re: T shirt to cushion cover advice
Post by: Lilian 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?
Title: Re: T shirt to cushion cover advice
Post by: BrendaP 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.
Title: Re: T shirt to cushion cover advice
Post by: Lilian 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:
Title: Re: T shirt to cushion cover advice
Post by: Greybird 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.
Title: Re: T shirt to cushion cover advice
Post by: Lilian 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:
Title: Re: T shirt to cushion cover advice
Post by: Greybird on June 11, 2019, 23:08:22 PM
Look forward to seeing the finished articles!
Title: Re: T shirt to cushion cover advice
Post by: Iminei 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
Title: Re: T shirt to cushion cover advice
Post by: b15erk 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
Title: Re: T shirt to cushion cover advice
Post by: Lilian 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!
Title: Re: T shirt to cushion cover advice
Post by: Iminei 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?
Title: Re: T shirt to cushion cover advice
Post by: Lilian on June 12, 2019, 17:43:37 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?

You're right @Iminei I did think, just do it! So I think I will.  I just happened to have the GREEN in so a good use.  No payment although it was offered, so I said I will accept some packs of Lindt Dark Chocolate with Roasted Hazelnut  :) Yum!
Title: Re: T shirt to cushion cover advice
Post by: Lilian on June 13, 2019, 13:21:01 PM
The first cushion is done. Will need to overlock the seams but at least it's made  :)

But I have run out of interfacing for the second one, so off to the local charity shop looking for curtain lining as this one is cream/ivory colour!
Title: Re: T shirt to cushion cover advice
Post by: Iminei on June 13, 2019, 13:43:27 PM
PERFECT!!!!!
Title: Re: T shirt to cushion cover advice
Post by: Lowena on June 13, 2019, 16:25:40 PM
Lovely  :)
Title: Re: T shirt to cushion cover advice
Post by: doesntworkonwood on June 14, 2019, 09:18:31 AM
That's so cute!
Title: Re: T shirt to cushion cover advice
Post by: Lilian on June 14, 2019, 10:50:01 AM
This is for one of the founders of Pilanesberg game reserve in S.A. So pleased to be able to make this   :)  :vintage: :vintage:
Title: Re: T shirt to cushion cover advice
Post by: Lilian on June 15, 2019, 13:45:28 PM
Okay second T shirt to cushion pics.

I think the back could do with a button but will wait to see if it is mentioned. I have other things to get on with  :)  :vintage: