The Sewing Place
The Emporia => House Beautiful => Topic started by: suburban on July 31, 2020, 12:51:11 PM
-
Hi,
I'm making envelope cushions because we've got puppies who are in love with zips / buttons. I've bought a kind of tapestry fabric (it's actually 80% cotton and 20% polyester) I think they'll be alright for the "good" side of the cushion, so I want something with a little stretch for the reverse "envelope" side. I like the look of velvet / velour but I hear it's not so easy to work with. Also, I'll be using a heavy cotton sewing needle, for sewing it to the tapestry type fabric (won't I?)
I'm fine with a velour / velvet LOOK by the way - I know there's fabric with a kind of sheen that is actually polyester / chenile or whatever. Just something that will be relatively easy to work with. I visited Abakhan and Dunelm Mill in my neck of the woods and I didn't see anything suitable. Just so you know, the fabric I'm using for the good side, is Paisley Tapestry Multi from Abakhan. Ideally I'd like a neutral cream, soft green or soft pink for the envelope side Any thoughts on which fabric I should use and where to get it online?
-
Is there a reason that both sides aren’t the same?
-
If you want velvet, you want Ralston Fabrics! (https://ralstonfabrics.co.uk/collections/cotton-velvets) They have a great selection, and you can buy by the half metre.
I don't think velvet is too difficult to work with for something like a cushion cover, with straight edges etc.
-
I've had no issues using velvet as cushion backs. Just use a walking foot
-
Is there a reason that both sides aren’t the same?
Well, I didn't fancy using the 'good' fabric for the envelope "stretch" big at the back. It was only after I left the store that I thought..."Will this be too stiff to make a good envelope "fastening"? It's expensive, well expensive for me, and I'm scared of wasting it. Thanks for replying.
-
If you want velvet, you want Ralston Fabrics! (https://ralstonfabrics.co.uk/collections/cotton-velvets) They have a great selection, and you can buy by the half metre.
I don't think velvet is too difficult to work with for something like a cushion cover, with straight edges etc.
I will definitely take a look there, thanks.
-
I did that years ago @suburban when making cushions. Fancy dancy hideously expensive front and plain gold sateen (I think) on the back. I didn't use stretch though.
-
I've had no issues using velvet as cushion backs. Just use a walking foot
Ha ha! That's a sore point I'm afraid. I can't get my "walking feet" to work. I've got the official Janome one and I tried a generic one too and they just seem so off-centre. Maybe it's me. I'm a little dense with these things. I watch tutorials by a lady on YouTube and she says she uses a walking foot most of the time for her general sewing. Maybe I'll have another go and see how it works out for me. Thanks for replying.
-
I did that years ago @suburban when making cushions. Fancy dancy hideously expensive front and plain gold sateen (I think) on the back. I didn't use stretch though.
Yeah, I still think it's a good idea.
I love that quote about resentment. I wish I'd have read and understood it decades ago. I would've avoided banking some extremely painful bad karma.
But that's another story...
-
As a dog-owner who allows her pooches on the sofa, I wouldn't use pricy fancy-dancy anything for my cushions ;)
-
Well, I went for the velvet back to the envelope cushion. So I've got the two velvet pieces and I finally managed to sew the hems (edit: I'd written seams! ) in the velvet for where the envelope meets. I tried every foot going. In the end, the general foot, you know the one you use most of the time ( I can't even remember what it's technical name is ) worked the best.
Also, I cheated. I didn't just hold the iron over the velvet. I put the "good" side of the velvet onto a towel and ironed the back. The "unpretty" backing. I had to make the hems lay flat. Then I used those little clips that look like tiny clothes pegs. I found the confidence to alter the tension to 5 from 4. I prayed that the Universe would be on my side and then I sewed really, really slowly. It worked! Two velvet envelope backing pieces now have the hems for where they meet.
Now, how do I sew the heavy cotton tapestry fabric onto the velvet pieces? What size needle? What size stitch? Any tips? This is the bit I've been dreading!
-
Stabilise the edges of the stretchy velvet to just past the stitching line. You will have to use the iron again, but do it slowly and use a stretch interfacing. That will strengthen the velvet to take the necessary thick needle, and maybe thicker thread (Guetermann Top Stitch or Extra Strong) needed for the tapestry fabric.
-
I'd use Guterman top stitch thread, if very thick their extra strong. Probably lots of pins/cips if you aren't using the walking foot (also silly ask, but is the lever on the side above the needle screw? That's essential for good walking foot working). Also, personally I'd backstitch in the corners and make sure the pivot is perfect, but that's just me!
-
Stabilise the edges of the stretchy velvet to just past the stitching line. You will have to use the iron again, but do it slowly and use a stretch interfacing. That will strengthen the velvet to take the necessary thick needle, and maybe thicker thread (Guetermann Top Stitch or Extra Strong) needed for the tapestry fabric.
Eek! I didn't think that I'd need both ( thread and interfacing ). When I say "tapestry" by the way, I mean 80% cotton, 20% polyester. Or something like that. I called it 'tapestry' because that's how they marketed it at Abakhan Fabrics. It is in their soft furnishings section - on their website. I'm going to use lots of the emojis because they're really good.
:thinking: :facepalm: :faints: :headbang:
-
I'd use Guterman top stitch thread, if very thick their extra strong. Probably lots of pins/cips if you aren't using the walking foot (also silly ask, but is the lever on the side above the needle screw? That's essential for good walking foot working). Also, personally I'd backstitch in the corners and make sure the pivot is perfect, but that's just me!
Yes, I intend to pin it to buggery (please excuse the odd bit of mild profanity), as I spit on my bona fide £39 Janome Walking Foot, which has never worked. I'd try a generic one - there's one for a tenner on Amazon, but I'm bitter that I already spent quite a bit on a hobby that's sporadic. Your advice about the lever in the right place on the machine has piqued my interest though and I'm gonna take a look later. :thumbsup:
-
I wouldn’t worry about using interfacing necessarily (I have made velvet cushions without and it’s been fine). Just clip or pin like mad, I like to use wonder clips (the tiny pegs you referenced) as they don’t leave extra holes. I have a janome and other than for quilting I’m not keen on the walking foot either. I would use the standard foot, lengthen my stitch length a tiny bit (2.6) and if possible on your machine, lower the foot pressure as you are using thicker fabrics. I never alter my tension - I find changing the foot pressure is enough.
In terms of needle I would probably start with a 14 and gauge it from there. Sew slowly!
-
I wouldn’t worry about using interfacing necessarily (I have made velvet cushions without and it’s been fine). Just clip or pin like mad, I like to use wonder clips (the tiny pegs you referenced) as they don’t leave extra holes. I have a janome and other than for quilting I’m not keen on the walking foot either. I would use the standard foot, lengthen my stitch length a tiny bit (2.6) and if possible on your machine, lower the foot pressure as you are using thicker fabrics. I never alter my tension - I find changing the foot pressure is enough.
In terms of needle I would probably start with a 14 and gauge it from there. Sew slowly!
I really messed up. Why on earth did I opt to make such a big cushion? I must have been crazy. I should have made one of those small, rectanglular cushions. Less fabric to slip :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm:
I'd managed to sew the HEMS of the velvet fabric - where the "envelope" pieces meet ( or cross over ). I'd written SEAMS in earlier posts - I'm still really a beginner and I get confused. Anyway, of-course I was still only sewing with velvet - I hadn't even added the "tapestry" fabric piece. I couldn't believe how well the velvet hems sewing turned out. I was thrilled. Gave me a false sense of security.
You're so right about sewing slowly. "Foot Pressure" Well, I put the speed of the foot pedal on "Low". I have a Janome Sewist from a few years back, not the latest model. "foot pressure" I'm not sure I can alter the pressure on the foot. I did have a walking foot but it just didn't work - it's off centre and I should have returned it.
So I tried to sew the velvet pieces to the "tapestry" fabric and the slippage when I got to the end was half a mile wide. I'm too embarrassed to post a picture. Trying to find a solution now. Velvet is lovely but I'm not rolling in it. I should have used common sense and listened to the lady who reminded me I have dogs and velvet ain't too dog-friendly - or vice-versa.