The Sewing Place

The Emporia => House Beautiful => Topic started by: b15erk on September 11, 2017, 09:06:00 AM

Title: Help with Corner cutout on furnishings...
Post by: b15erk on September 11, 2017, 09:06:00 AM
This is the reason these cushions have remained unmade for a very long time!

I have two cushion covers to make, a back one and a seat.  Both are box cushions, and both have horrible little cutouts, which need to be included in the design.  The hardest thing is, that they are so small....

I started the back cushion on Saturday, and it was horrible, and it looks horrible - no pics, sorry.

I've brought the second in to work with me, and looking for help with it!

The corner here, is at the back of the cushion, and I will need to manoevre the zip insert around it, but how?  I can see it being an absolute pig - the one on Saturday was worse - but no zip to accomodate.

The picture shows the corner I need to go around, and it's fraying already!!

Help!!!

Jessie

Title: Re: Help with Corner cutout on furnishings...
Post by: Ploshkin on September 11, 2017, 09:19:22 AM
Oh heck Jessie, I don't envy you that one.  Would it work if the right angles were rounded off (though that might be a bit late for the inside one).  That might make the seaming a bit easier though it looks a very small notch.
Title: Re: Help with Corner cutout on furnishings...
Post by: b15erk on September 11, 2017, 09:26:38 AM
It is Plosh, and it's fraying like the devil already.  :(  It has to be like this to fit the design of the chair, but I'm wishing I'd left it out, and just tried to 'squish' it in place....

It's a very old chair that DD bought for the children as a story chair.  I can tell them a story about it - but it won't be a fairy story!!

Jessie
Title: Re: Help with Corner cutout on furnishings...
Post by: Vegegrow on September 11, 2017, 10:07:14 AM
What are the cushions made of Jessie? foam is very malleable and can squish up to put into cushions .. I put zips round right angles but not 2 so close together..
Title: Re: Help with Corner cutout on furnishings...
Post by: b15erk on September 11, 2017, 10:23:59 AM
They are foam cushions Veg.  The back seat cushion is quite thin, and that in itself makes life a bit more difficult.

The seat cushion which I've brought into work, is about 4" thick foam. 

Going to make a start on the zips and the box band, whilst figuring out how the heck to get these little cutouts done neatly.

Jessie
Title: Re: Help with Corner cutout on furnishings...
Post by: Greybird on September 11, 2017, 10:33:33 AM
I'm not the best person to help with this because box cushions are the thing I struggle with most. However, it sounds as if your zip is on the edge? If you were to place the zip in the centre of the edging strip (hope that makes sense!), you can then insert it whilst the strip is flat and you then only(!) need to manoeuvre the fabric round your cutout. Good luck with it. I have never yet managed to produce a box cushion that I wouldn't be ashamed to show anyone!
Title: Re: Help with Corner cutout on furnishings...
Post by: Lowena on September 11, 2017, 10:36:25 AM
Me neither... I hate doing box cushions :devil: Any tips gratefully received  :loveit:
Title: Re: Help with Corner cutout on furnishings...
Post by: b15erk on September 11, 2017, 10:44:03 AM
GB, I explained myself badly.  The zip in in the centre of the band, it's just so darn difficult getting around those corners.

I thought someone may come up with a simple technique that I hadn't thought of, but I think not.....

I guess I'll just have to wrestle it into submission!  ;)

Jessie
Title: Re: Help with Corner cutout on furnishings...
Post by: Vegegrow on September 11, 2017, 10:59:19 AM
 Oh I see thought you were putting zip along the edge......only tip I would say is to  measure and mark the corners on the flat band so they are easier to line up when your stitching then then the band will lie flat
Title: Re: Help with Corner cutout on furnishings...
Post by: Ploshkin on September 11, 2017, 12:42:59 PM
Does the zip need to go round the corners?  Can you not just put it along the straight bit and squish the foam insert through the slot.  I've got back cushions on my sofa with cut out corners, albeit not as small, and the cushion is quite hefty but squashes in through a straight slot without a problem.
Title: Re: Help with Corner cutout on furnishings...
Post by: BrendaP on September 11, 2017, 12:45:12 PM
I made a box cushion last year for the storage bench in the new porch.  I can't find the thread about it so it was probably pre TSP days.  The front and back started as rectangles but the snips in the corners to facilitate the piping opened out to 90°

It's 4" thick foam and has a long zip going right along the back and around two corners.  DD who does this sort of thing quite often, told me to do it that way (and she found a spare zip for me! :) ).

She also said to make a slip cover to go over the foam to make it easier to get the cover on and off.  I used a remnant of poly satin stuff and hand stitched the last seam or two, and it was very much easier getting the cover on than it would have been getting it over bare foam!

It was a bit fiddly, but then most piping jobs are!

Title: Re: Help with Corner cutout on furnishings...
Post by: b15erk on September 11, 2017, 15:01:26 PM
Girls, as always thank you for your help and suggestions.

I've done a few trial pieces, and this particular cut out shouldn't be as difficult as the first one.  Atm I've only got as  far as pinning the zip on the second cushion - I forgot to bring the piping in with me.....

After O-D'ing on Youtube videos, I remembered the ones from Sailrite, and I found exactly what I wanted, but much too late as I've already begun.  They recommend, that for small cut outs, leave well alone, and the foam will find it's shape! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVDsT8QWxko&list=PLAbM539i4biWz2R6EfzMUcE-gcCgiIRkM&index=7

 >< :angry: :'(

I've decided to do the best I can, and reinforce the corners as much as I can, - and then make some pretty cushions to hide things :) 

I blame the chap who cut the foam for me, he's an upholsterer who knew I was doing this myself.  He must have known how difficult those notches would be.....  :S >:)

Jessie
Title: Re: Help with Corner cutout on furnishings...
Post by: b15erk on September 13, 2017, 08:47:29 AM
Even after the decisions to just do my best with these corners, they look awful. (see pic below)

So, after watching the Sailrite video, I've decided to go radical, and ignore them.  Apparently, the cover and filling will accomodate the 'discrepancy'.  We'll see.

It means a lot of unpicking, and putting patches in to cover the notched area, but it will look far better I'm sure.

At some point, if they look OK, I'll make some more.  (Just don't hold your breath!)

Jessie



Title: Re: Help with Corner cutout on furnishings...
Post by: Ploshkin on September 13, 2017, 09:00:50 AM
Before you unpick,  have you tried stuffing anything in them to see how they'll look filled out?  My sofa cushions (bought) don't look too pretty when they're not filled but fine when stuffed.
Title: Re: Help with Corner cutout on furnishings...
Post by: b15erk on September 13, 2017, 09:30:16 AM
Too late Plosh!!  All unpicked!  I think what was bothering me as well as it looking unsightly, was that it was fraying so badly.

Going to press everything now, and make my patches!

Jessie
Title: Re: Help with Corner cutout on furnishings...
Post by: BrendaP on September 13, 2017, 10:37:39 AM
Aahhh, it's notched to go around a bar or post of some sort.  Once it's done and squashed up against that bar you'll barely see it, especially if there's a cushion in front of it.
Title: Re: Help with Corner cutout on furnishings...
Post by: b15erk on September 13, 2017, 15:25:38 PM
Brenda, that's been the problem.  I just can't get round those small notches neatly.  It looks a mess.  The Sailrite video I watched said it was acceptable to ignore the notches if they were very small, and I've now re-done the back, covering the notches with patches where the fabric has weakened.

With hindsight, I could have used it as a design opportunity, and it certainly doesn't look as pretty as I would like, but heck, it's a story chair.....

Looking at it, I could have done much better, but, it's done now.  The seat cushion is on the machine, ready for me to cover the notches.

Jessie
Title: Re: Help with Corner cutout on furnishings...
Post by: b15erk on September 14, 2017, 08:59:00 AM
Finished!!  No pics yet as it was too late when I finished last night, and I was tired.

The intention today is to make a cushion cover, to take the eye away from the flaws.  I'll take some pictures when I've set it in place at DD's house tonight.

I made a big deal out of what turned into a rather simple job.  The Sailrite video was really useful, and I picked up some good tips. 

One useful tip I have to pass on.  Don't try to re-join piping when you've cut it too short - life really is too short.  (Ask me how I know)!  Just cut some more!  ;)

Jessie