The Chair is Finished!!!!! Or, How to Make a Cushion Cover

Hallelujah!!!!

Hallelujah!!!!!

Hallelujah!!!!!

Hallelujah!!!!!!!!!

I have finally finished the chair for Kris's guest room.

So, here's the before and after...

We left off on Sunday looking at the down cushion I had created with my own little hands....(with Gilles help.....)

As you can see, the cushion form is much larger than when it is covered.

This is necessary to create a comfy resting place for the tush!!

Since the stripe was so large, I was really lucky and had just enough fabric.

I probably should have gotten 7 yards instead of the 6, but I made due.

I laid out my template, centering it on the pink stripe.

Pinned it in place and started to carefully cut it out.

I was sweating bullets because I had no extra fabric.

After I cut the first side out, I laid it over some more (the last) fabric, matched up the stripe and pinned it in place and cut out the second piece.

Then I cut the side boxing strip out of one of the pink stripes, making sure the pattern was centered.

Then I made the single and double welting.....

That took a long time.

The double welting I do in two stages.

If anyone wants a tutorial on making double welting, leave a comment.

The single welt was for the cushion seam, and the double welt was to cover the staples around the frame.

Now it was time to install the zipper.

I googled it, because I knew there was a different way to do upholstery zippers than when I was taught dress making in high school.

I found a helpful tutorial at: http://www.somethingfortheroad.com/2011/03/how-to-boxed-cushion-cover-with-a-zipper.html.

First I took two pieces of the pink stripe that were a little longer than the 22" zipper that I was going to use.

I folded them in half to find the middle of the stripe.

Then I ironed them along the fold, and cut 3/4" away from the fold.

If you don't have one of these measuring tools, go get one!!!!!

It makes measuring along seams and cutting out welting fabric so easy, because you can see through it and it has all those measuring marks.

So I laid the 3/4" mark along the fold and used my rotary cutter to cut along the edge.

Then I set the two pieces to make sure the repeat was lined up' 

I pinned one side to the center of the zipper and sewed 3/8" in from the edge of the fold.

Then I pinned the other side and sewed it the same way.

Then I laid the boxing side strip over the zipper and marked where I would cut the zipper piece so it was the same width as the rest of the boxing.

Since the linen fabric was unraveling so much, I sewed a zig-zag stitch around each piece.

I don't have a serger.....one of these days.....the zip-zag worked like a charm and kept it from unraveling any more.

Then I pinned the single welt to the bottom piece, right sides together.

And sewed it on. 

Then I did the top side.

Next, I sewed the zipper section to the back of the cushion cover, making sure it was centered.

First I pinned it in place.

Then sewed it on. Then I got the side strip out and sewed that on also.

Look at the tutorial from Something For The Road, it shows how this is done.

I followed her directions, and it came out perfect!!!!!

This shows how the zipper is hidden inside the pocket, just like on a professionally made cushion!!!!!

Then I pinned the other side on.....

And sewed it in place.

Make sure you leave the zipper open a little.....

or you won't be able to turn the cushion cover right side out.

Then I stuffed the down cushion form into the cover.....

and I think it looks pretty damn good!!!!!

So at this point all I had left to do was apply the double welting over the staples around the frame.

I whipped out my trusty old glue gun

 (that has burned me more times than I can remember.....)

and something called a regulator that looks like a large lethal needle. 

The regulator is such a great tool.

I run the dull end along the middle trench of the double welting, it helps push it into place and straightens the lines.

The sharp end is good for tucking stray threads away and applying little drops of hot glue to hard to reach places.

Everyone should have a least two regulators, because you're always going to be looking for the one you just lost.

So.....

Here she is all finished.

It took a couple of hours to apply the welting, and I only burned myself once.

The regulator also helps with making the double welting turn the corners.

This is all the welting I had left, both double and single.

I only have scraps of the pink stripe left over.

I might make pillows for the twin beds out of it.

I AM SO GLAD THIS CHAIR IS DONE!!!!!

I think I showed a lot of guts to bring you on this adventure.

What if it hadn't turned out OK?????

My next projects will be easier.

I am starting on the bedding for Kris's master bedroom and the guest room.

I will be showing the sheets we bought and what I will make for the coverlets and duvet covers as well as pillow shams.

I am da bomb.....

On that note,

Latah, Gatah

Partying at: