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how much fabric for a cushion re-do

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atgep
Master Marine Consultant

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1009 Posts

Initially Posted - 08/02/2003 : 23:37:23

Hello again, I have a 88 traditional. I NEED to dedo cushions due to a bit of water damage. If anybody here has done this,how much fabric did you use? What did you use? And, did you replace the foam. My foam is ok. What's not ok is the wallet. Did I mention I have a 88 wing$$$$ I NEED to do this on the cheap. Thanks, Tom.

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ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 08/03/2003 : 23:46:08

You might take a look at the fabrics and materials offered at sailrite.com

In my dealings with those folks I've found them very knowledgable and helpful. If you call them or email them, they might be able to give you an idea or two.

I'm about to undertake the same project this fall.

Currently maintaining two holes in the water...'77 Venture 23 and new to the family,
'78 Catalina 25

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thacket3
Navigator

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USA
101 Posts

Response Posted - 08/04/2003 : 09:56:03

I am currently rehabbing my 82 Fixed keel, traditional lay out. So far, I have done the "living area" cushions only. Next week, i am starting the Vee bearth and the under cockpit area cushions. I bought my material at a place called "Rag Shop" who carries marine materials. I am using a dark Kahki colored heavy material, almost denim like. So far, for only the "lounge Area" I have gone through an entire bolt of fabric.

The great thing about "rag Shop" is one saturday every month they have a 30% off everything sale. So the fabric I am using is $6.00 per yard, but when I buy it at their sale price it reduces to $4.00 per yard. I did not replace the foam as it is in good condition. I did add batting to each cushion to give them a little more, well, "cushion". I believe for the entire boat I will spend less than $200 to re-do the cushions. Mind you I have never used a sewing machine in my life either. I have to say, the cushions look fantastic, and it has been great knowing I did them myself.

I am looking for their web site and when I find it I will let you know.

Any questions, Please feel free to e-mail me at jss144@hotmail.com
Tim in Miami

Edited by - thacket3 on 08/04/2003 10:06:42

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thacket3
Navigator

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USA
101 Posts

Response Posted - 08/04/2003 : 10:09:26

I found it, www.ragshop.com
I should have known.
Tim

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CB
1st Mate

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54 Posts

Response Posted - 08/04/2003 : 10:47:31

Tom,
I redid my '81 traditional layout about a year ago. I bought some Dk Green sunbrella upholstery grade fabric(there are 2 grades, upholstery grade and awning grade), i think it was about 12 yds or so at about $10 a yard (60" width). I then took it to an upholstery shop down the street (not a marine place) and had him remove the old brown torn up fabric from the brown vinyl base to the cushions. He then reused the vinyl "base" to the cushions, and the foam, and then wrapped the foam in a little xtra batting and I was all set, I think I paid him $400 for all the labor.
It was nice to reuse the vinyl b/c the buttons were all there to reattach the salon cushions as they were.
Good luck,
Chris

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JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 08/04/2003 : 14:21:25

Here's what I did. Cheap, looks great, did it all myself.

(1) Bring cushion home.
(2) Cut ALL the old cover off, keeping the foam. Keep the vinyl bottom as intact as possible.
(3) Buy a couple of yards of blue stretch denim (blue jeans material). I got the 8 oz, 44 inch width, cost $6.99/yard. That's a couple of yards per cushion. I was the only man in the fabric store!
(4) Wrap the blue denim around the foam tightly, like you were making a bed. Pin the denim to the foam on the bottom, especially around the corners.
(5) Now, with the cushion upside down on the floor, lay the vinyl back on top.
(6) Take a big needle with a strong, heavy duty thread. Cotton or nylon works well. I used blue thread the same color as the denim. Hand sew all around the cushion, sewing the old vinyl to the new denim. Remove the pins when you get to each corner.

It takes about 2 hours per cushion. I did one each night. I recovered all the cushions in the boat in 2 weeks for about $200. That was a savings of about $1800.

If you don't like blue denim there are hundreds of colors and patterns to choose from at the fabric store.

<img src="http://www.indiscipline.org/cat25/pictures/icon.jpg" border=0>Indiscipline 1978 FK #398

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RichardG
Admiral

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USA
990 Posts

Response Posted - 08/05/2003 : 12:02:10

Certain swap meets around here sell all sorts of fabric for less than $5/yd, often $2/yd or less. My wife gets a lot of fabric there.

As you are inquiring about interior cushions, high quality, marine-specific (i.e. expensive) fabric may not be required. In fact, the current issue of "Good Old Boat" has an article on making handrail covers where the writer used cheaper "mystery canvas", even though they will surely be exposed to harsh exterior conditions.

I may give it a go on the handrail covers, assuming my wife lets me use her sewing machine -- she's pretty protective of that thing!

An option to rebuilding the cushion covers, if the current covers don't smell, is to just sew new covers which slip over the whole cushions like a tight pillow-case. The previous owner did this and it looks good.

RichardG 81 C25 SR/FK "Sanity"

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