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Interior cushion advice needed.

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StSimon
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298 Posts

Initially Posted - 03/09/2009 : 23:22:45

We have decided to re-upholster our drab 1984 interior cushions. We went with Sunbrella Forest Green for our exterior covers and plan to take the color below. We are thinking of the Sunbrella 5630 Indoor/Outdoor fabric and need help with the measurements.

Anyone out there who has been through this... How many yards of 54" material would it take to re-do every cushion (standard layout)?

Thanks for your help

Fair winds,

Andy, Breakin' Wind, 1984 C25 SK SR

Edited by - on

Tom Gauntt
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Response Posted - 03/10/2009 : 09:12:53

Andy,

I just finished recovering my interior cushions. Unfortunately, I didn't keep an accurate tally of how much I used (run to town, pick up dry cleaning, buy 3 yds of cloth, get a loaf of bread), but I think it was on the order of 20 yds. It took more than I thought, mostly for waste (pieces too little to use) and welting. I started out buying a bunch (12 yards I think) to redo the saloon and aft berth first, then bought some more to finish the v-berth. I used cotton duck instead of sunbrella, so I wasn't really concerned with fabric costs or waste as I would've been had I been using sunbrella.

Why not start with an amount you know you'll use and then make a second order to complete the job?

Also, if you haven't yet, I suggest looking at Sailrite.com for supplies. Huge inventory and great service, at least in my experience. Their prices seem pretty good too!

This is a pretty big project, especially if you're a first time tailor, like me. But the payoff is really spectacular. Good luck!

Edited by - on

Even Chance
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393 Posts

Response Posted - 03/10/2009 : 10:28:25

Why Sunbrella? Are you planning to haul your upholstery out into the cockpit regularly? We redid ours with a good soft chenille, which is cheaper than Sunbrella.

Edited by - Even Chance on 03/12/2009 03:52:29

pastmember
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2402 Posts

Response Posted - 03/10/2009 : 10:29:52

I have always bought my Sunbrella on eBay. The settees are too narrow on a C25 so I took the opportunity to have additional back cushions made while I was reupholstering. The originals went in the quarter berth and v-berth and the new back rests made the settees much nicer to sit and lay on.

Edited by - on

Prospector
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3159 Posts

Response Posted - 03/10/2009 : 10:36:41

If you make the cusions with sunbrella, can you get sunbrella bias tape for the piping along the seams?

Edited by - on

pastmember
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Response Posted - 03/10/2009 : 11:43:37

I used white vinyl.

Edited by - on

dmpilc
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4593 Posts

Response Posted - 03/10/2009 : 13:54:12

I was considering a solid Forest Green fabric. Please post pics when you are done. I'm also looking at some of the tan and beige colors. I may have to do our cushions in stages, so I'm thinking of using a solid color that will complement the original brown plaid while the conversion takes place.

Edited by - dmpilc on 03/10/2009 13:56:11

pastmember
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Response Posted - 03/10/2009 : 15:55:55

I used Cadet Grey. It matched my non skid.

Edited by - pastmember on 03/10/2009 15:56:45

JohnP
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Response Posted - 03/10/2009 : 21:31:28

Sunbrella seems to me like it has surface properties that are not ideal for cushion covers.

I picked up a set of full-length, deep-blue, living-room curtains with light-colored, textured dots (Don't know the fabric name) for $10 at my local second hand store. It's handsome, heavy material and is great for upholstery. The cushions now have a satiny feel.

Mmmm! Nice!

Edited by - on

StSimon
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298 Posts

Response Posted - 03/10/2009 : 22:37:09

Thanks for all the replies. Here is what I am considering:

It is a 2" repeating pattern and goes well with our exterior Sunbrella. Not familiar with all the Sunbrella line? Here are the specs:

* 100% Solution Dyed/Acrylic
* Weight: 8oz per Square Yard; 54" Wide
* Care Instructions: Wipe With Damp Cloth, Mildew Proof, Color Fast/Fade Resistant.

Here is their propaganda on this product:

Sunbrella Furniture fabrics are the best choice when seeking durability towards weather conditions. Not only are they durable, but comfortable, and attractive! The fabrics are treated with the same 100% dyed acrylic solution as Sunbrella's awning and marine fabrics. Thus, the color is permanently sealed into the fibers making it fade-resistant, yet porous, allowing the greatest comfort level in hot/humid weather. The fabric is also coated with a soil and stain resistant finish, protecting it against everyday messes and accidents. With a softer feel that is less stiff than Sunbrella's exterior fabrics it is idea for sewing form fitting cushions. There is no need to worry about fading since this fade resistant fabric is guaranteed to hold a beautiful richness for years! All of these unique qualities create a furniture fabric that is nearly indestructible to your lifestyle indoors or out!

Tom, How many yards @ 54"/yd do you think you would have used if you had bought it all at once? I presume there was more waste when buying piecemeal. I am cost concerned but quality trumps price on something you love and plan to hold dear for many years. Thanks for the suggestion of Sailrite. I'll check for availability and pricing. This is not an exterior grade product like my Bimini or Tiller Cover so I will see if they carry it. I Googled it and found a very reasonable price from a vendor on E-Bay. BTW, I wish I could sew a sail but sadly I cannot. A friend who is adept at pumping the pedal will be tailoring it for me. Cheers.

Even Chance, I guess for the reasons posted above.

pastmember, Lookin' goooood

Prospector, I think we can. I will get with my friend to decide if we will merely wrap the material around the piping or go another way. What do you suggest?

dmpilc, I certainly will post the pics. I hope they will pass muster.

JohnP, You may be correct about Sunbrella but I have been told that this particular Sunbrella product is an inoor/outdoor furniture style product. I have asked several vendors about the comfort factor and if we will stick to the material. I am told it is very comfortable, we'll have to see I guess.

Thanks for the replies and if anyone has any other thoughts/concerns/ideas we are all ears.

Fair Winds,

Andy

Edited by - on

Prospector
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3159 Posts

Response Posted - 03/10/2009 : 22:52:16

in order to avoid stretch, many books advise Bias tape that is cut on a bias (45 deg) to the weave of the material. a second option is to not use piping, and find a stitch you have faith in not to let go.

From my (little) experience in uphostry, I would suggest you go with a solid colour rather than a pattern if this is a first job. If you go with the pattern and your lines don't match up you will forever notice th eflaw (no one else will, but if you'r elike me you will notice it everytime you look in the boat. With a solid colour fabric, there is nothing to line up. Also, a pattern will have to be offset to ensure that the repeats line up, creating more waste (I know its only 3" but still...)

Finally, I have not covered the cusions on my boat. My advice/ideas are free, and some folks say that I overcharge...

Edited by - on

dmpilc
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4593 Posts

Response Posted - 03/10/2009 : 23:03:48

Here is a link that will let you click on a sunbrella color and it will bring up boat cushions so you can see what you might be getting. After clicking on the link, select marine interior. Your striped green and white is near the bottom of the color chart.
http://www.sunbrella.com/showroom/

My favorites were Samoa Rattan, Dots Brass Rib, Canvas Teal, and canvas Forest Green. Canvas Wheat and Renata Hemp also looked good. Too many choices!

David

Edited by - dmpilc on 03/10/2009 23:23:21

StSimon
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298 Posts

Response Posted - 03/10/2009 : 23:38:15

Prospector, I am not sure about bias plies and whatnot, I'm going to leave it up to the seamstress to make sure it's right. As far as a solid vs. a stripe I trust her to make it right. Our goal is to brighten up the interior and make it more appealing. I will show her this thread and your ideas. They are not overpriced in my opinion.

dmpilc, If I were to go with a brown scheme I think the Bessemer would be my favorite. Right now I want to stay with the Forest Green to match the rest of Breakin' Wind. BTW, your sister ship, SV 4047 used to sail on the Priest before she moved to Louisville, then Phoenix, and now Tuscaloosa.

Thank you all for your thoughts. Any thoughts are welcomed and appreciated. Keep 'em coming. We''ll post the results.

Edited by - on

Stu Jackson C34
Admiral

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844 Posts

Response Posted - 03/11/2009 : 03:00:44

Andy, it seems that selecting a color that will go with your old stuff on purely an interim basis, and just because of that, may be something you'd want to reconsider. If you're going to all the trouble of upgrading it, why have a "link to the past?" Eventually, it'll be all new! I would also think of resale value: not a whole lot of people may like a wildly "nontraditional" look.

Edited by - Stu Jackson C34 on 03/11/2009 03:02:08

bigelowp
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1776 Posts

Response Posted - 03/11/2009 : 06:55:55

On every boat owners/association web site I have looked at the hands down favorite for replacement cushions is using Sunbrella. That said, what type/brand of material was used by Catalina as original equipment? Whatever it is, it looks just like the same material used in similar vintage Ryder, Cape Dory, Pearson, etc, etc. Just curious!

Edited by - on

Tom Gauntt
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Response Posted - 03/11/2009 : 07:27:39

Andy,

Something else to consider... I really like your fabric choice and looked very closely at that same pattern before going with something cheaper and easier to work with. With that strong vertical pattern, I think you'll have a lot more waste because you will not be able to use scrap pieces that are 90 degrees out... every piece will have to be cut from the same bias of weft or weave - no intermingling because the strips won't line up. Secondly, I'd look closely at a solid color for the welting. Getting the tops and bottoms just to line up on a long seam (like the front edge of any of the big cushions) is hard enough. Trying to get seam to work out with a striped pattern will prove very challenging. BUT, trying to match the top, bottom, sides (or boxing) AND welting all with stripes will take great patience and skill, of which incidentally, I have precious little. A sewing machine with a "walking foot" really helps keep the seams lined up, especially on long seam of 4 plys of fabric. I hope your seamstress is talented and patient! Like Prospector said, a sunbrella bias tape would be a great idea for piping/welting unless you a plain seam or a vinyl welt.

Also, another lesson learned: As far as closures go, I tried to save some money and a little effort by using velcro to close the back. Do NOT try this at home! You will not be happy. I made one cushion with velcro closures and it lasted until I got it closed up, took one look, and then got the seam-ripper out and went to work undoing what I just did! Use zippers. If you price zippers individually, you'll find they are expensive. If money is not object, knock yourself out. But what I did was order a 10 yd roll of zipper tape and the tabs and stops that go with them, and custom made my own. For what all the supplies cost, I would been able to buy only two or three zippers pre-made. I bought them online and there dozens of styles and colors.

Be sure to post pictures when you get them finished!

Best of luck,

Edited by - on

pastmember
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Response Posted - 03/11/2009 : 08:46:01

I had stripped sunbrella on my '82, the Cadet Grey was on my '89

Edited by - on

StSimon
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298 Posts

Response Posted - 03/12/2009 : 01:35:26

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Andy, it seems that selecting a color that will go with your old stuff on purely an interim basis, and just because of that, may be something you'd want to reconsider. If you're going to all the trouble of upgrading it, why have a "link to the past?" Eventually, it'll be all new! I would also think of resale value: not a whole lot of people may like a wildly "nontraditional" look.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
I suspect you may have my ideas confused with other ideas on this thread. I am completely refurbishing my interior following my exterior refit. I replaced the standard blue coverings with the Sunbrella Forrest Green covers available. These include winch covers, Bimini top, Tiller Cover, Mainsail cover, rail coverings, etc.
<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"> I would also think of resale value: not a whole lot of people may like a wildly "nontraditional" look.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
I'm not sure what you mean here. What constitutes a "nontraditional" look? I want to avoid any pitfalls.
<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">On every boat owners/association web site I have looked at the hands down favorite for replacement cushions is using Sunbrella. That said, what type/brand of material was used by Catalina as original equipment? Whatever it is, it looks just like the same material used in similar vintage Ryder, Cape Dory, Pearson, etc, etc. Just curious!<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"> bigelowp, I don't know the answer... <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Something else to consider... I really like your fabric choice and looked very closely at that same pattern before going with something cheaper and easier to work with. With that strong vertical pattern, I think you'll have a lot more waste because you will not be able to use scrap pieces that are 90 degrees out... every piece will have to be cut from the same bias of weft or weave - no intermingling because the strips won't line up. Secondly, I'd look closely at a solid color for the welting. Getting the tops and bottoms just to line up on a long seam (like the front edge of any of the big cushions) is hard enough. Trying to get seam to work out with a striped pattern will prove very challenging. BUT, trying to match the top, bottom, sides (or boxing) AND welting all with stripes will take great patience and skill, of which incidentally, I have precious little. A sewing machine with a "walking foot" really helps keep the seams lined up, especially on long seam of 4 plys of fabric. I hope your seamstress is talented and patient! Like Prospector said, a sunbrella bias tape would be a great idea for piping/welting unless you a plain seam or a vinyl welt.

Also, another lesson learned: As far as closures go, I tried to save some money and a little effort by using velcro to close the back. Do NOT try this at home! You will not be happy. I made one cushion with velcro closures and it lasted until I got it closed up, took one look, and then got the seam-ripper out and went to work undoing what I just did! Use zippers. If you price zippers individually, you'll find they are expensive. If money is not object, knock yourself out. But what I did was order a 10 yd roll of zipper tape and the tabs and stops that go with them, and custom made my own. For what all the supplies cost, I would been able to buy only two or three zippers pre-made. I bought them online and there dozens of styles and colors.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">As far ease of use... I hope my seamstress will be able to handle the material. I'm sure she'll let me know if she is unhappy. We are probably going with the solid Forest Green for the welting. Thanks for the advice. BTW what exactly is a bias tape? For zippers I am considering plastic ones. It seems that they will handle the salt and humidity better than the others. Concur? Thanks for the imput

.

pastmember, They look great. What product did you use?

Thanks to all for the input. Does anyone know (or can aproximate) how many yards of 54" material will be needed to do this job?

Edited by - on

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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3758 Posts

Response Posted - 03/12/2009 : 22:18:03

Give your old covers or cushions to your seamstress to measure and tell you what to buy. I carefully measured and added a fudge in addition to the pattern repeat (the store helped me with that), but my seamstress had to get 2 more yards anyway.

Edited by - on

Prospector
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Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 03/13/2009 : 09:08:34

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bias_tape

http://www.alternative-windows.com/binding.htm

Bias tape is used to make your piping. You wrap it around a cord to make the little bump out at the corners of your cushions.

Since the bias of your fabric is at 45 deg. to the weave, you would have to cut a strip out of the middle of the fabric to make your own. That is pretty wasteful, so most folks opt to just buy pre-made Bias Tape. Also if you make your own out of patterned fabric, the pattern on the piping will be at 45 deg. to the rest of the project, and that looks sloppy.

If you go with your stripes (I wouldn't, I would go with a solid pattern, or one with hard to see repeats, especially on my first attempt at upholstery) you should really consider a solid colour Bias Tape - likely something that matches the green or white stripes in your sample.

Edited by - Prospector on 03/13/2009 09:15:57

Prospector
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Response Posted - 03/13/2009 : 09:18:33

Frank,

On the backs of our cusions there is a faux leather (vinyl??) that goes against the fibreglass. I am not sure if these are Catalina original, but I don't think so. Did you do something similar on yours?

Why not just go with fabric on the backs? Maybe I should be asking the PO, but since you have done this twice I thought you might know.

Edited by - on

dmpilc
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4593 Posts

Response Posted - 03/13/2009 : 10:26:58

The vinyl material on the backs of the cushions which contacts the fiberglass hull is there for condensation/moisture control. It keeps the undersides from soaking in moisture and is more resistant to mildew and cleans up easier than fabric.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 03/13/2009 : 10:45:37

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by bigelowp
 On every boat owners/association web site I have looked at the hands down favorite for replacement cushions is using Sunbrella. That said, what type/brand of material was used by Catalina as original equipment? Whatever it is, it looks just like the same material used in similar vintage Ryder, Cape Dory, Pearson, etc, etc. Just curious!<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">I think it was Herculon. Ours was brown plaid... We replaced it with Sunbrella upholstery fabric in a soft linen finish, and kept it plain--we were afraid of too many stripes going in too many directions.

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 03/13/2009 10:47:18

pastmember
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Response Posted - 03/13/2009 : 11:14:21

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Prospector
 Frank,

On the backs of our cusions there is a faux leather (vinyl??) that goes against the fibreglass. I am not sure if these are Catalina original, but I don't think so. Did you do something similar on yours?

Why not just go with fabric on the backs? Maybe I should be asking the PO, but since you have done this twice I thought you might know.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

We reused the vinyl on both sets.

Edited by - on

glen
Captain

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359 Posts

Response Posted - 03/13/2009 : 12:07:56

Sunbrella is a good choice, but not the only choice. We did Adventures interior, with a non marine upholstery fabric. As long as it’s a man maid fabric and contains no cotton or linen it will work, as well as Sunbrella. For the exterior cushions we used a closed cell foam, covered with a Vinyl mesh fabric, called Phifertex. The closed cell foam is a bit harder on your bottom, then open cell foam would be, but it will not absorb water. Using a mesh covering allows me to simply shake the rain off the cushion, and it’s dry. A closed cell cushion well also float, so if I need to throw something quick in a man overboard situation, I am sitting on it.

Edited by - on

StSimon
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USA
298 Posts

Response Posted - 03/24/2009 : 22:32:35

Good stuff and thought provoking. I may try to reuse the bottoms and backs. It makes sense. If we have to come up with a replacement material what would anyone suggest?

Dave, I like your look. Very clean. I may still change from the stripes to a solid. Anything will be better than the vintage '84 look. Do you remember the Sunbrella you used and did you reuse or buy new the backs and bottoms?

Edited by - on

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