Association Forum - Cushion Recovering

Assn Members Area · Join

Home.

Association Forum

Ships Store

Cruising

Racing

Technical Tips

Photo Gallery - New

Boat Search - Updated

Manuals & Brochures

Swap Meet

Links

Officer Flag Line & Staff

Bylaws & Constitution

Members Area

Join the Association

Notice:
The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.

Association Forum

Username:	Password:
Save Password
Forgot your Password?

All Forums

Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

Cushion Recovering

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Author

Topic

tomh
1st Mate

Member Avatar

USA
83 Posts

Initially Posted - 01/06/2012 : 17:46:48

I'm in the process of getting all of the below deck cushions recovered but having problems deciding on the type of fabric. I found a pattern in 7oz. polyester but don't know anything about fabric. Any fabric suggestions?

Tom

1978 C25 "Karma" #790
Toledo Beach Marina
LaSalle, Michigan

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 01/06/2012 : 17:53:50

Welcome to the forum. Think outdoor furniture fabric. Sunbrella is probably the leading brand name but, there are lots of others.

Are you doing the work yourself? We'd love to see photos as the job progresses. There are a lot of folks here that may be interested in this kind of project.

Edited by - on

pastmember
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

2402 Posts

Response Posted - 01/06/2012 : 20:32:46

When I had mine done we saved the vinyl bottoms and reused them. Many add thickness with new foam. I also had extra cushions made with shortened backs so people could sit back further and the settee would feel deeper; I used the full back cushions other places. Piping is important, as you see photos you will see that piping and tufts/buttons make a big difference. I went with Cadet Grey Sunbrella; my '89 had grey nonskid so I used a lot of Cadet Grey inside and out.

Edited by - pastmember on 01/06/2012 20:34:11

waterbaby
Navigator

Members Avatar

USA
168 Posts

Response Posted - 01/08/2012 : 07:00:12

Tom,
I'm sort of a fabriholic so I can't resist piping up here although I've never done boat cushions before. Also I'm very opinionated on this so take everything I say with a grain of salt.

I agree with the idea that you need to be looking at outdoor fabric and of course sunbrella is awesome. If you go that route be sure and get the outdoor furniture grade fabric though. The outdoor marine grade is too stiff and will be uncomfortable for napping. Personally, I wouldn't pay the top dollar for it since there are other brands of outdoor furniture grade fabric that should do very well inside the boat that cost a lot less. If we're doing cushions outside the boat - well that's a different story. Also, I'd think any polyester fabric should be fine and since I love to bargain shop for fabric I'd run through all my local mill outlets to see what they had to offer. If you go with a fabric like that just make sure its's pretty tightly woven since a loosely woven fabric will fray sooner at the corners and seams. I noticed at the boat show last October that a lot of the builders were using ultra suede which is really beautiful. That's what I'd do if $$$ weren't an issue.

As far as color/style that's pretty much a personal preferance but here's my most humble advice. Stay fairly neutral with your color/pattern. The bolder it is the more likely you'll get tired of it and wish you'd done something different. I love color and patterns so I really struggle with this. This is a case of do as I say, not as I do.

Frank's cadet grey is a perfect example of staying neutral. He's got a clean crisp look and he can add any color he wants with accessories to make it look completely different. Also, lighter colors will make your boat seem bigger inside than darker colors. They will show dirt sooner though so it's a trade off. OXI can get just about anything out of most fabrics so don't get too hung up on it - just maybe don't go with a pure white. Again sunbrella is superior with resisting stains.

Franks piping is lovely and I agree it really adds a nice touch. If you do piping try to match it to your curtains for an integrated look.

Edited by - on

tomh
1st Mate

Members Avatar

USA
83 Posts

Response Posted - 01/08/2012 : 17:01:39

Thanks for a lot of great feedback. I have been crusing fabric websites and think that I found a fabric that will meet the requirements.

Check out www.onlinefabficstore.net , rich loom rave sand fabric.

Product I'd: ravsan

Edited by - on

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 01/09/2012 : 09:43:13

Here's a couple of pics of some upholstery fabric I bought on Ebay to recover our cushions with when I can justify spending the money on it. got a deal on the fabric, avg. $2.45/yd.

Edited by - dmpilc on 01/09/2012 09:46:07

Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 01/09/2012 : 10:30:38

No offence David, but you need to hire a better seamstress ;)

Edited by - on

waterbaby
Navigator

Members Avatar

USA
168 Posts

Response Posted - 01/09/2012 : 17:27:15

Tom, I had to google to get to the link. Is this is what you are looking at?

http://www.onlinefabricstore.net/outdoor-fabric/solid-outdoor-fabric/richloom-rave-sand-fabric-.htm

If it is it looks really nice!

I was going to recommend a sandy shade but didn't want to influence your color pick. You can work in all the beach colors in your accessories, or do a tone on tone look. You'll have to send us some pictures once you're done.

Since they offer a sample for $1, I would go ahead and get it. It's worth waiting for just to be sure, I always like to feel fabric before I commit on one for a project like this. In your case - you need to be sure it's nappable.

David,
That fabric looks very simular to the fabric in my 86. If it's the original fabric I can tell you it's holding up really well. Since you already have the fabric, what's the hold up?

I'm jealous you guys. New cushion covers are so far down my list of thing to do that it really not even on my list. Once you're done it'll be like having a whole new boat. Good luck!

Edited by - on

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 01/09/2012 : 18:47:22

"...hire a better seamstress"
Part of the holdup; need to be able to pay for one - actually I just laid it out to see how it will look and for photos.

"...what am I waiting for?"
Not high on my priority list at the moment - other bills and a new grandchild.

I looked for and bought non-marine upholstery because I thought it would be more comfortable, and in 5 years of ownership, the cushions almost never got very wet.

Edited by - on

Unsinkable2
Captain

Members Avatar

USA
273 Posts

Response Posted - 01/09/2012 : 20:54:15

I redid mine with new vinyl on the bottom, closed-cell foam cushions, and sunbrella on top. They're great, but after it was done I realized that I didn't really need to go to the expense of sunbrella on top, since the interior seats are in the shade most of the time.
The cushions will last a long, long, long time. Very well done.

Edited by - on

waterbaby
Navigator

Members Avatar

USA
168 Posts

Response Posted - 01/12/2012 : 19:30:12

David, congradulations on your grand baby! It sounds like you have your priorities strait! I also have a list of 'when I can afford/have time for it' chores so I can totally understand. That fabric will wait, and it will look great once it's done.

Unsinkable2, sunbrella might have been an overkill, but I'm sure those cushion look sharp. As far as durablity, sunbrella is hard to beat. Since they are interior cushions they will likely last forever.

Edited by - on

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

Members Avatar

USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 01/12/2012 : 20:29:03

I used a light upholstery/drapery fabric and the old vinyl, I won't post yet another picture of it, I didn't see a need for an outdoor fabric in the cabin. It is much softer and more comfortable and gets a lot less use than upholstery at home. It has been a few years and it hasn't worn or faded.

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Djibouti
9080 Posts

Response Posted - 01/12/2012 : 21:01:07

We picked a Sunbrella upholstery fabric--a soft linen-like texture. We also got new medium-density foam, an inch thicker than the original (except on the seat-backs), with a layer of fiber furniture batting on the tops. Worth every cent, especially for the Admiral.

Edited by - on

Topic

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Jump To:

Association Forum

Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.