Anybody make their own cushions?

[Ryan Turner]

I need to replace all the interior cushions in my CD33 and am thinking about doing it myself. Anybody out there done this? I'm just wondering how hard it is for a novice to do a good job (I do have a wife who is good with a sewing machine but the project would be mine). Anybody got any tips?

Ryan Turner



rdtsails@email.msn.com

[Bob Chamberland]

I don't know how many cushions you have to make. The cushions can be easily done or if you require piping and zippers can be a job. I made cushions for a boat I built and it was not a big deal. I did not use piping and instead of zippers I sewed up the last openings by hand. I had 4 cushions to do so the hand sewing was no big deal. If you had 10 or 12 cushions that is a big deal. I bought foam from the local sewing supply store (Jo-ann's I think) and cut it with one of my wife's rotary cutters. This might be a problem with 3 or 4 inch foam. You can also cut it with an electric carving knife I am told. Use the old cushions as a pattern.

I need to replace all the interior cushions in my CD33 and am thinking about doing it myself. Anybody out there done this? I'm just wondering how hard it is for a novice to do a good job (I do have a wife who is good with a sewing machine but the project would be mine). Anybody got any tips?

Ryan Turner

cha62759@traverse.com

[Larry DeMers]

Ryan,

We just completed this project 2 weeks ago. Here is how we did it..it's not hard.
Take the old cushions and remove the foam. If the old thickness is the same as the new cushions (4in. in our case), then the process is a whole lot easier. We replaced the foam with 2 pieces of 2 in. high density open cell foam glued together with spray foam glue. I weigh 255 and bottomed out after awhile on the old cushions. The high density material is very comfortable, and resilient..and I do nto bottom out at all. So get the foam together based on what you wish to achieve.

Next, take the old covers and use a little stitch stripper tool to break each stitch and separate the naughahyde backing from the old material. Measure up what you will need in new material, and then GRAB YOUR WIFE and go to the fabric store to find a nice replacement fabric that **you both like**. (It feels better to have my wife along for some reason..heh).
Ok, next use the old fabric as a pattern on the new fabric, and cut that pattern out. Resew the new material together, making the same squared off corners, and finally attach the material to the old naughahyde (if in good shape still..if not replace it the same way as the other material is replced). This method reuses the old zipper, which saves a mess of time and frustration installing a new zipper. Use the same hemming ideas as on the old cushion. Finally, when reassembling, put some drycleaner plastic bags around the far end of the cushion foam, and slip it into the cushion . You will have to work it back and forth a little, but it will eventually all go back in to the cover. Pull out the plastic, close the zipper, and then have a beer...you did good sailor!

Q's? Write me off-line if you want..

Cheers!

Larry DeMers
s/v DeLaMer
Cape Dory 30

I need to replace all the interior cushions in my CD33 and am thinking about doing it myself. Anybody out there done this? I'm just wondering how hard it is for a novice to do a good job (I do have a wife who is good with a sewing machine but the project would be mine). Anybody got any tips?

Ryan Turner

demers@sgi.com

[Joe Cioffi]

I need to replace all the interior cushions in my CD33 and am thinking about doing it myself. Anybody out there done this? I'm just wondering how hard it is for a novice to do a good job (I do have a wife who is good with a sewing machine but the project would be mine). Anybody got any tips?

Ryan Turner

Hello Ryan,

My wife had also just finished redoing our cushions though out the boat and did just what Larry Dermers did even used the same bottom vinal piece .The two different things that we did was use 3M velcro not only did my wife stick it to the fabric but sewed it.That makes it so much easier to remove for washing but we think so much nicer when you look at it (it will not rust or get stuck)the last extra thing was the foam was a little steal smelling we sprayed them with FEBREZE a fabric smell sweeter spray.
Good Luck
Joe



JGC@2PRODIGY.NET

[Joe Cioffi]

I need to replace all the interior cushions in my CD33 and am thinking about doing it myself. Anybody out there done this? I'm just wondering how hard it is for a novice to do a good job (I do have a wife who is good with a sewing machine but the project would be mine). Anybody got any tips?

Ryan Turner

Hello Ryan,

My wife had also just finished redoing our cushions though out the boat and did just what Larry Dermers did even used the same bottom vinal piece .The two different things that we did was use 3M velcro not only did my wife stick it to the fabric but sewed it.That makes it so much easier to remove for washing but we think so much nicer when you look at it (it will not rust or get stuck)the last extra thing was the foam was a little steal smelling we sprayed them with FEBREZE a fabric smell sweeter spray.
Good Luck
Joe



JGC@2PRODIGY.NET

[Larry DeMers]

Have you folks used any different method for holding the cushions to the settee back? The original method on our boat was velcro pads, but they always got torn off, or pulled the material around the cushion.
Jan (my co-captain and far better 1/2)came up with straps that encircle the pad and the settee back, and attach to each other with velcro, hidden in back of the settee back. This seems to work pretty well..kind of a bit annoying to remove and replace, but nice looking.
So I was wondering what others might be using on their boats.

Larry DeMers
s/v DeLaMer
Cape Dory 30

I need to replace all the interior cushions in my CD33 and am thinking about doing it myself. Anybody out there done this? I'm just wondering how hard it is for a novice to do a good job (I do have a wife who is good with a sewing machine but the project would be mine). Anybody got any tips?

Ryan Turner

Hello Ryan,

My wife had also just finished redoing our cushions though out the boat and did just what Larry Dermers did even used the same bottom vinal piece .The two different things that we did was use 3M velcro not only did my wife stick it to the fabric but sewed it.That makes it so much easier to remove for washing but we think so much nicer when you look at it (it will not rust or get stuck)the last extra thing was the foam was a little steal smelling we sprayed them with FEBREZE a fabric smell sweeter spray.
Good Luck
Joe

demers@sgi.com

[John R.]

Larry,

I had the upholsterer make a strip with small pockets that was as long as the cushion. Within each pocket is a snap. The pockets are very tight, not loose or saggy. They are very snug to the backside of the cushion. That keeps the cushion tight against the setee back. The pockets are lined with a layer of vinyl for additional strength. The entire strip was stitched to the back side of the cushion about two inches down from the top edge. I installed screw in snap bases into the setee back teak panel. The cushion just snaps onto the setee back and it stays put. You just insert a finger or two into each pocket and push the snap onto the base. Has worked great for years. Doesn't wear out like Velcro and no adhesive problems to deal with. If a person doesn't like snaps they could use "twist the dot fasteners" as an option to the snaps. The snaps won't press into the backside of the cushion like twisters will.

Have you folks used any different method for holding the cushions to the settee back? The original method on our boat was velcro pads, but they always got torn off, or pulled the material around the cushion.
Jan (my co-captain and far better 1/2)came up with straps that encircle the pad and the settee back, and attach to each other with velcro, hidden in back of the settee back. This seems to work pretty well..kind of a bit annoying to remove and replace, but nice looking.
So I was wondering what others might be using on their boats.

Larry DeMers
s/v DeLaMer
Cape Dory 30

I need to replace all the interior cushions in my CD33 and am thinking about doing it myself. Anybody out there done this? I'm just wondering how hard it is for a novice to do a good job (I do have a wife who is good with a sewing machine but the project would be mine). Anybody got any tips?

Ryan Turner

Hello Ryan,

My wife had also just finished redoing our cushions though out the boat and did just what Larry Dermers did even used the same bottom vinal piece .The two different things that we did was use 3M velcro not only did my wife stick it to the fabric but sewed it.That makes it so much easier to remove for washing but we think so much nicer when you look at it (it will not rust or get stuck)the last extra thing was the foam was a little steal smelling we sprayed them with FEBREZE a fabric smell sweeter spray.
Good Luck
Joe

[john]

I don't know how many cushions you have to make. The cushions can be easily done or if you require piping and zippers can be a job. I made cushions for a boat I built and it was not a big deal. I did not use piping and instead of zippers I sewed up the last openings by hand. I had 4 cushions to do so the hand sewing was no big deal. If you had 10 or 12 cushions that is a big deal. I bought foam from the local sewing supply store (Jo-ann's I think) and cut it with one of my wife's rotary cutters. This might be a problem with 3 or 4 inch foam. You can also cut it with an electric carving knife I am told. Use the old cushions as a pattern.

I need to replace all the interior cushions in my CD33 and am thinking about doing it myself. Anybody out there done this? I'm just wondering how hard it is for a novice to do a good job (I do have a wife who is good with a sewing machine but the project would be mine). Anybody got any tips?

Ryan Turner

The key to new cushions is to use new foam. Otherwise the new cushions will be short on all sides. We have recovered old foam & it always left a gap so we started using new foam & they turn out great. It may be a strain on a sewing machine because of all the layers, especially if you add cording. John



redzeplin@yahoo.com

[D. Stump, Hanalei]

John,

This is the BEST idea I have heard of for securing those pesky seat backs! The question is, how can I install the snaps on the cushion backs without removing the foam from the cushion? I don't need to replace the cushions yet, I just want to try the snap fix. Sounds like it will work real well. Do you have any suggestions?

Dave Stump
Captain Commanding
s/v Hanalei

[John R.]

John,

This is the BEST idea I have heard of for securing those pesky seat backs! The question is, how can I install the snaps on the cushion backs without removing the foam from the cushion? I don't need to replace the cushions yet, I just want to try the snap fix. Sounds like it will work real well. Do you have any suggestions?

Dave Stump
Captain Commanding
s/v Hanalei

You do have to remove the foam so you can stitch the strip with the pockets to the backside of the cushion. I suppose if you were a masochist you could reach between the foam and the cushion back and try and do the stitching by hand but I think that a crazy idea that would result in a very sloppy and unprofessional job. I'll try and take a pic of the backside of my cushion and send it to you so you will have a better idea of how it is done.

[Larry DeMers]

John,

Would you send a pix of the snaps along to me too please? I told my wife about your idea, and her eyes kinda lit up like she could picture it working too. One question; Over time, does the material get pulled around the cushion by the snaps? That was the main gripe we had with velcro..well, no, the darn stuff kept pulling off the material too, so that was pretty aggravating also. But I wonder if that problem would disappear because the snaps are on a strip the full length of the cushion.

Thanks & Cheers!

Larry

John,

This is the BEST idea I have heard of for securing those pesky seat backs! The question is, how can I install the snaps on the cushion backs without removing the foam from the cushion? I don't need to replace the cushions yet, I just want to try the snap fix. Sounds like it will work real well. Do you have any suggestions?

Dave Stump
Captain Commanding
s/v Hanalei

You do have to remove the foam so you can stitch the strip with the pockets to the backside of the cushion. I suppose if you were a masochist you could reach between the foam and the cushion back and try and do the stitching by hand but I think that a crazy idea that would result in a very sloppy and unprofessional job. I'll try and take a pic of the backside of my cushion and send it to you so you will have a better idea of how it is done.

demers@sgi.com

[Jerry Hammernik]

I want a look at this too. Can we just post the pictures somehow because I think a lot of people would like to make an improvement to this area. If not, I'd appreciate a set of pictures as well, a picture's worth a thousand words ;-}.
Thanks

Jerry Hammernik
Lion's Paw CD28 #341

John,

This is the BEST idea I have heard of for securing those pesky seat backs! The question is, how can I install the snaps on the cushion backs without removing the foam from the cushion? I don't need to replace the cushions yet, I just want to try the snap fix. Sounds like it will work real well. Do you have any suggestions?

Dave Stump
Captain Commanding
s/v Hanalei

You do have to remove the foam so you can stitch the strip with the pockets to the backside of the cushion. I suppose if you were a masochist you could reach between the foam and the cushion back and try and do the stitching by hand but I think that a crazy idea that would result in a very sloppy and unprofessional job. I'll try and take a pic of the backside of my cushion and send it to you so you will have a better idea of how it is done.

dauntles@execpc.com

[Bruce Barber]

The snap idea can be simplified a little. I'm using just two doubled strips of vinyl, each about 2 by 5 inches, with a snap centered in each. (I doubled the vinyl to be sure the snap would never tear out.) The strips are sewn just at their ends to the cushion back, with each strip maybe a foot from one end of the (6-foot plus) cushion, about a quarter to a third of the cushion height down. If the cushion is real floppy, two snaps may not be enough, but the original 25D cushions (4-inch) are rigid enough that it's fine.

Once you have the snaps on the cushion, put it in place and push hard on each snap so you have a little indentation in the wood behind, then you know exactly where to drill for the mating piece.

I first saw this on a Bristol many years ago. Works like a charm.

Bruce Barber
25D Nancy Dawson



bruce.barber@att.net

[John R.]

I'll get the pictures taken as soon as I can.......have been extremely busy lately. As far as the material being pulled around the cushion all I can say is I've had no problems whatsoever with distortion of the material or the cushion in any fashion. FYI - cushions are 4" high density foam.

John,

Would you send a pix of the snaps along to me too please? I told my wife about your idea, and her eyes kinda lit up like she could picture it working too. One question; Over time, does the material get pulled around the cushion by the snaps? That was the main gripe we had with velcro..well, no, the darn stuff kept pulling off the material too, so that was pretty aggravating also. But I wonder if that problem would disappear because the snaps are on a strip the full length of the cushion.

Thanks & Cheers!

Larry

John,

This is the BEST idea I have heard of for securing those pesky seat backs! The question is, how can I install the snaps on the cushion backs without removing the foam from the cushion? I don't need to replace the cushions yet, I just want to try the snap fix. Sounds like it will work real well. Do you have any suggestions?

Dave Stump
Captain Commanding
s/v Hanalei

You do have to remove the foam so you can stitch the strip with the pockets to the backside of the cushion. I suppose if you were a masochist you could reach between the foam and the cushion back and try and do the stitching by hand but I think that a crazy idea that would result in a very sloppy and unprofessional job. I'll try and take a pic of the backside of my cushion and send it to you so you will have a better idea of how it is done.