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Summer dining |
We recently did some work on our front porch. We had a seating area with two rockers and a small table on one side of the porch. We had a fan installed over that area as we sit there a lot in the summer to enjoy a glass of wine or read. This adds a nice breeze on those really hot days.
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Comfy cushion |
The other side of the porch originally had a swing but we found we didn't sit there very much, so we got rid of it. We moved a small table there and found we were eating a lot of meals out there. We had a hanging light installed over the table for those little darker evenings so we could still enjoy eating dinner out there.
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Ready to head outside |
The chairs were okay but I figured since we were eating out there so much that cushions would be nice. The seat of the chair is a bit short front to back so when I measured for the foam I went all the way back to the supports in the back. I found this helpful as after the cushions were made, they fit in there snugly and I didn't need any kind of tabs or ties to keep the cushions in place.
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Keeping the Dacron in place |
I ordered outdoor foam covered with Dacron. I didn't get to making the covers right away and by the time I did, the glue they used to put the Dacron together had released so all the edges were apart. I used a curved needle and did an over stitch all around to keep the batting in place and closed at the edges.
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Lining envelope |
I then made a lining from muslin so that the forms would slip in easily as I plan on washing the covers at least once a year. I made an envelope of the muslin and then boxed the bottom corners.
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Boxed corners |
Then I slid the form inside and pinned the top in place and hand stitched it closed.
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Sewing the lining closed |
I did this for all four forms and now I had forms that would be easy to put into and take out of the covers.
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Already to be covered |
Then it was time to make the covers. First I had to find the right fabric. I wound up ordering from The Fabric Outlet. I chose a denim color fabric for the top and bottom plate and a navy blue fabric for the boxing strip. I did a blue stripe fabric cut on the bias for the covered cord.. I had planned on using my new industrial machine to sew it all together but I couldn't get it to work right, it kept breaking the thread.
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Cutting the bias strips
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Cord all finished |
First I made all the covered cord using a foam like cording that is meant for the outdoors. Next I cut the cushion pieces. I had to snip the selvedges of the fabric to get it to lay flat so I could cut the pieces accurately.
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Clipped selvedges
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I then applied the covered cord to the top and bottom plates.
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Ready for the boxing strip |
Then it was time to make the zippered boxing strip and apply everything to the top and bottom plates.
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Comfy dining |
When I took a class at CWC I did learn several things that will make my next cushion job faster and easier.