I am going to make cushions for my outdoor furniture this weekend. I chose some Sunbrella ™ outdoor fabric for them. I’d like the finished product to be luxurious and well made.
1. should I underline the cushion covers or will this impede their ability to dry out after rain?
2. are there any special things I need to know about needles, thread or tension?
3. what about zippers?
Thank you for your tips!
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Perhaps a web mesh, similar to what is in sportswear, would work for the lining. Putting it in is the better MO to facilitate the stress & wear.
I'd think you'd need to be alert to needle holes. Which translates to your stitching being exact first time through. Tension would vary with the thread. Your sunbrella source should carry appropriate thread. I made a snow blower cover for my brother back in the 1990's. When I ordered the "fabric" from Green Pepper, I followed their suggesstion for a mildrew resistant thread & bought the spools from them. Also made some items for my diving son from neoprene. Used water sutable thread from Green Pepper as well. Both projects are still being used and have held up very well.
A zipper is in order. MO. It's the placement you want to plan. In order to make the cushions reversible, you might want to stitch the zipper into the seam, much like a lapped zipper in a fashion, rather than the center of the sides panel as is often done with upholstered pieces. The centered being easier to sew is likely why they're done thusly.
Hhmm - just realized you mention making them this w/e. Getting "outdoor" thread might be a stretch. if you can please post & let us know how the all turned out.
nepa
Make a simple cushion cover
Lay the fabric flat with the wrong side facing upwards (the wrong side is the non‑patterned, or back of it). Fold the short edge over 1cm towards you and iron to secure. Fold this over 1cm again, iron, then pin in place.
Stitch this folded edge in place using a running stitch – aim for stitches that are about 3mm long. Remove the pins.
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With the right side of the fabric facing you, fold the short ends inwards, one on top of the other, so you are left with a piece of fabric that is the same length and width as your cushion covers and looks like it is inside out (B). Pin the two open edges together.
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Using strong thread, or doubled-up thread, backstitch down each of these sides 1cm away from the edges. Make sure your stitch work isn't too loose (revealing holes in the join) or too tight (puckering the fabric) and secure the thread with a couple of small stitches at the end of the line.
Turn the fabric the right way around and put the cushion inside.
Would like to try that one. thanks for sharing the pattern
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