Tuesday 26 March 2013

A very boring post

That's not to say all my posts aren't boring, but even the subject of this one is dull...



Do you know what it is yet?  It's a very funny shape, though I blame the gingham for that.  



Are you all managing to contain your excitement at these thrilling photos of a chair cushion?  Come on, own up, who just peed themselves?  Mum asked me to make some covers for the new chairs she'd bought.  They came with a wipe clean cover in a dirty white colour.  This was ages ago and I finally got round to it.  Let me tell you, making these (I've made 2 seat cushions so far, I've still got another 2 to make, then 4 for the cushions that go at the back) was a bloody nightmare.



See that?  See how I've sewn both ends of those tabs?  They're supposed to look like this:



Those tabs will have velcro on and will wrap round the frame to hold the cushion on.  So why don't they have velcro on?  The kind I had was self-adhesive.  I stuck it in place and tried to sew it.  Two needles later I discovered you CAN'T sew self-adhesive velcro.  So I left it, I mean, it's self-adhesive.  That means it will not stick to the tabs, but will stick to the floor, my leg or anywhere else it might fall off... I now have 16 velcro tabs to hand sew in place, when I've peeled them off the coffee table...



See that zip?  That's the back of the cover and is to put the cushion (which is pretty rigid) in place.  Do you have any idea how many times I sewed that seam?  Firstly I made a long covered zipper panel - the zip is 20", the panel was 23".  I sewed it in place and added the top, I had a complete cover.  The pad is 20" x 23".  Yes, that's right, I'd put the zip on the wrong side and I couldn't get the cushion in.  Unpick, recut, resew, stuff cushion in, seam splits open.  Resew seam, sewing over it 3 times.  Stuff cushion, seam splits... expletives.  

You have no idea how glad I am this damn thing is done.  You also have no idea how much I'm dreading the other 6...


16 comments:

Pam @Threading My Way said...

Just think how pleased you'll be when they're all finished!!!

Chrissie said...

Oh dear, that doesn't bode very well as I have to do the same thing for the cushions of the swing seat, good luck with remaining ones!

Starry-eyed stitcher said...

Oh dear, I'm really sorry, but I was smiling all through this tirade. It all looks so simple when you agree to a job like this. You eye up the cushion - mmm square, easy template to make all six, stick a couple of tabs on, bit of velcro, couple of hours work. Yeh, I'll do them mum.
And another 7 to go. What fun!! Irene xxx

Anna said...

The result is perfect !
Good luck for the others... :)
Have a great day !
Anna

Ninu said...

the gingham is perfect for daily usage.. Love the neat sewing even though its consuming

JoJo said...

Oh no you have SIX more to make?!?!?!?! might as well get it over with and do them now eh? I think they came out great but I feel your pain with this project.

Sandra :) said...

Not such a boring post - reading your tales of woe tends to give me memories of my own similar woes, LOL. Yep, I learned about self-adhesive tape by breaking a needle :D You'll have to gird your loins to get those other cushions done, but you've done your learning in cushion #1 - the other ones should be a LOT easier! Just take a deep breath and work slowly, one by one! I think most of us feel your pain - having to do projects that are royal PITA's :D

Melody said...

You poor thing. I hate putting in zips and to find it was the wrong way would be rotten. Cushions look good, though.

Shirley said...

Just think of off the things you have learnt, the next 6 will be easy peasy x

Celtic Thistle said...

Oh dear, I hope your mum wasn't within earshot when the air was turning blue!

Things can only improve ( I think!)

heartsease54 said...

I've sewn lots of Velcro on things. Use a denim needle and you won't have any problems.

Joy McD said...

Oh my goodness.... I am so impressed! I hate making those things! Good luck with the next 6 :) xxxx

Alison said...

Been there with the self adhesive velcro!!

Hopefully the next ones are a breeze...

Alison
x

Jillayne said...

I laughed at the start and sympathized at the end - I hate when that happens, and when I am "sewing" and not "quilting" it always happens!
The consolation prize is that your Mom will love them....

Jane said...

I don't think I should have read this yet, I have a cushion cover to make for my son, I've been putting it off for months.
That velcro is evil, it never sticks where it shoul

city said...

thanks for share...