Materials:
synthetic leather
rattan chair
electric or bread knife
4" foam
leather or stretch needle
normal thread
zipper (longer than width of cushion)
batting
scissors (old and sharp)
Steps:
1. Cut the foam to make the cushion(s) to fit the chair with an electric or bread knife. Curve the front corners.
2. Measure the width, length and depth of the cushion and don't worry about the curved corners. Cut two pieces of leather the width plus the depth plus one inch by the length plus the depth plus one inch. For example, if the cushion is 25" x 30"x 4" the leather would be cut 25 + 4 + 1 = 30 by 30 + 4 + 1 = 35.
3. Place the two pieces right sides together and stitch all but the bottom with a half-inch seam allowance (don't turn it). Place the cushion on top of the leather and mark the curved edges by placing it one inch in from each side (move the cushion as needed) (figure A).
4. Use the longest stitch length and sew across the marked lines, leaving long thread tails. Place the cover inside out over the cushion and gather the corners by tightening the thread. Wrap the excess threads around the excess leather and tie a knot to secure it, which will form what looks like a little pigtail. If desired , turn the cover right side out to check gathers and adjust if necessary.
5. Cut two strips of fabric the depth of the cushion by the width plus three and sew the zipper in place between them. Cut the finished piece the width plus one and the width plus one and try to get the zipper dead center (the featured piece is 5 " x 27").
6. For a professional look and to hide the zipper closure, cut a piece of fabric the cushion depth plus one by about six inches. Move the zipper closure toward the center of the sewn strips and sew the small piece in place after folding it in half (figure B). Do this with the wrong side of the fabric up and very slowly over the zipper teeth. Carefully cut the excess end of the zipper off with old scissors .
7. Match the side seam with the zipper and stitch the zippered bottom onto the cushion cover. With the cover inside out, place the raw edges together and stitch around the bottom piece (be sure to leave the zipper open a little so you can turn it right side out).
8. Wrap the cushion with a piece of batting and slide into cover.
Guests Sally Cheney
Owner/Sewing Expert, AAA Sewing & Vacuum
1661 Gallatin Pike N.
Madison, TN 37115
Phone: 615-870-0044
Fax: 615-870-0134
Also in this Episode
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