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Yards of Fabric for Cushions

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C25OBrien
1st Mate

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USA
44 Posts

Initially Posted - 02/27/2010 : 10:41:23

Hi All- I'm new here but have gotten a lot of useful info. Proud new owner of a 1980 Fin keel. My mother is willing to sew new covers for the interior cushions. Does anyone know how many yards of Sunbrella I will need? I have the L shaped dinette with the telescopic table. Also, would you agree that the 8oz sunbrella is the way to go for interior cushions? Thoughts on re-using the vinyl bottoms? thanks everyone.

-Chris OB
Cool Yer Heels
1980 C-25 SR/FK L-Dinette
Sag Harbor, NY

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JohnP
Master Marine Consultant

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1520 Posts

Response Posted - 03/01/2010 : 12:34:08

Welcome to the Forum, Chris!

I don't know how many yards.

You can take one or all of the covers off the cushions & give them to her to estimate how much cloth she needs. Ripping out the old stitching on all the cushions would give her exact patterns, too. It's quite a job. The vinyl bottoms are important, since moisture condenses under the cushions sometimes, and the vinyl keeps the foam dry.

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John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 03/01/2010 : 12:42:31

I, too, don't know how many yards. Don't worry, someone will. but, I don't think you need sunbrella belowdecks. Sure there is some UV exposure but I think less expensive fabric will hold up well. Go to your local fabric store and ask the ladies there about apholstery fabric.

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Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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5902 Posts

Response Posted - 03/01/2010 : 13:16:14

I can't tell you how many yards it'll take, but I can tell you that Sunbrella is sold in either 46" width or 60" width. If you get the wrong width, you might need to have a seam in the middle of some of the long cushions, or you might have excess wasted fabric. I never recovered my cushions, but whenever I do a job like that, I always measure each item, and then figure out how I can cover each surface with the least amount of waste. By the time you're done measuring, you'll know whether you want to use the 46" width or the 60" width, and you'll know how many yards it'll take.

Edited by - Steve Milby on 03/01/2010 13:17:36

glen
Captain

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359 Posts

Response Posted - 03/01/2010 : 13:46:26

Sunbrella upholstery material comes in 54” width. I agree with John you don’t need Sunbrella below deck, but it’s still not a bad idea. It will hold up well, and is easy to clean. On our boat we used standard upholstery material (including the bottoms), but we are in a cooler climate and have good ventilation below

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Dave Bristle
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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 03/01/2010 : 14:06:15

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by John Russell
 ...but, I don't think you need sunbrella belowdecks...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Sunbrella has many upholstery fabrics in addition to marine canvas (which I think is heavier than 8 oz.) We chose a soft, linen-textured Sunbrella for our interior cushions... although we considered some other brands of acrylic upholstery fabrics--it doesn't matter much down below. Some people have re-used the vinyl bottoms--we got new ones.

The L-dinette is the least common interior--you might not get an answer... The amount will also depend on whether you choose a plain fabric or something like stripes that will dictate a "direction" of the pattern for each cushion--that will add to the quantity.

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 03/01/2010 14:09:31

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5902 Posts

Response Posted - 03/01/2010 : 14:33:11

I didn't know Sunbrella is sold in 54" widths, but Sailrite also sells it in 46 and 60" widths, which are the widths I have always used.

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Even Chance
Captain

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USA
393 Posts

Response Posted - 03/01/2010 : 15:06:57

We used chenille rather than Sunbrella. Cheaper and softer.

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Geo
Deckhand

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USA
7 Posts

Response Posted - 03/01/2010 : 21:52:51

not sure how many yards... just made covers(from sheets) for mine that can slip on and off so its easy to wash them ..

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C25OBrien
1st Mate

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USA
44 Posts

Response Posted - 03/02/2010 : 08:50:52

Hi All, Thanks for the insight. My main motivation for the sunbrella was it's ability to resist mold and mildew. Do you know other sythetic fabrics that are cheaper with similar properties? Also, has anyone successfully used velcro instead of zippers? I think it would make the job much easier, and I dont need these to be 100% professional.

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panhead1948
Captain

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345 Posts

Response Posted - 03/02/2010 : 10:27:39

There was an article in the Nov/Dec issue of GOOD OLD BOAT that might help you with your project. KJ

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JohnP
Master Marine Consultant

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1520 Posts

Response Posted - 03/02/2010 : 13:31:10

I used a set of dark blue full-length drapes to make covers. Each cushion cover has a top and sides with square corners holding the cushion tightly (as "half slip covers"). They tuck in a little under each side. I think it may be called chenille dimple fabric, It's satiny, with tiny raised dots of the same color. Total cost: about $20 plus 5-10 hours of labor by an amateur tailor.

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C25OBrien
1st Mate

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USA
44 Posts

Response Posted - 03/02/2010 : 13:43:12

John- do you leave the old covers on the cushions underneath the new ones? Sounds like a decent compromise in which i will be able to re-use the vinyl bottoms while also avoiding sewing zippers. Do you have any problems with mold/mildew? Also- how well do the covers stay on while sitting/sleeping?

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JohnP
Master Marine Consultant

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1520 Posts

Response Posted - 03/03/2010 : 18:04:57

Yes, the intact original covers are left there. I've added small squares of adhesive velcro tape to attach the tops of the seat back covers to the vinyl backings to keep them in place. They don't come off, but I have to reposition them and pull them tight from time to time.

Bottom line: They're ok, but not perfect. The cloth looks really nice, and I like the covers.

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