This is the story of sewing the FIRST CUSHION for my old/new porch sofa. This is the biggest step in any project...to just BEGIN.
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| To review -- I have A LOT OF THIS FABRIC...Two panels 54"x 84", with that mildew resistant lining...but it doesn't have that yellow pop I need... |
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| I've had this piece of outdoor fabric for so long, I can't even remember where it came from...But there isn't much of it, and too bad it doesn't have any yellow... |
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| Then, of course, I REMEMBERED I HAD PAINT... |
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| For Cushion #1, I painted on some yellow accents -- to go with my beloved Ralph Lauren YELLOW duvet cor... |
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| This is the back of cushion #1... |
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| Cushion #2 is completely different (yet the same)... |
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| The back of Cushion #2, BEFORE I added the strokes of yellow... |
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| The first two cushions are SPECTACULAR...I am sooo delighted with them!! |
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| The back side of the cushions are not quite as jazzy...but aren't they wonderful?? The painted pops of yellow make all the difference! |
The biggest issue I had was a problem I created for myself. (sewing really is JUST A METAPHOR FOR LIFE, ISN'T IT??). Because I decided to use that great sun-resistant, mildew-resistant LINING from the two drapery panels. I cut out the top cushion piece, and the back cushion piece, and used an iron-on adhesive to fuse the lining to both pieces. Ugh.
WHAT WAS I THINKING?? That was a major mistake. Heat and Bond is NOT something you want to sew through...much less, with the thickness of two layers of outdoor fabrics. I kept gumming up my sewing machine needle...the thread would wrap around the uptake...I had to disassemble my sewing machine...SEVERAL TIMES...it was a frustrating lesson....
By the time I got to the second cushion -- I KNEW BETTER. I simply laid the two layers together, and did a basting stitch around the outside edge. Problem solved...
Next week, I'll share my secret way to put in the perfect zipper every time...!!
Rita, I can hardly wait till you get all those cushions done....SEW much fun!!! I will have to try the paint. What does it feel like after it has dried on the fabric??? Seems like it would be kinda stiff....oh wait, I have painted with my acrylic paints on fabric before...had to use a special medium with the paint to make the fabric washable....did u do that???
ReplyDeleteGreat job so far, Linda in Othello