[Stinkin_V8]

I'm working my way up to do the interior in my truck when the time comes. The interim project is reupholstering the seat cushions in my camper.

(photoshopped together)

So far, I've been cutting the material the same size as the foam. For example, a 15x10x4" cushion gets two 15x10" faces and a 50x4" boxing (including the zipper plaque). Obviously, once I sew it, the cushion cover is smaller than the foam, but a combination of the foam compressing and the material stretching fills out the cusion well and the final result has been pretty good.

The last piece I have to do is 72x24x2.75, it's the back of the couch and also folds up to be the top bunk in one of the beds. Inside the original cover is a chunk of 3/4" plywood along with 2" of foam. The plywood isn't going to compress like the foam, but since it's such a big piece, I think the tweed will stretch enough to cover it.

So, what's the best approach - cut the faces to 72x24" and let the 1/2" selvage eat into this dimension, or add the 1/2" to those dimensions and cut the piece bigger? Or maybe cut the face next to the plywood bigger, and cut the other face (next to the foam) as I've been cutting the rest?

Sorry for the long post..

[horvath]

Hey, bro'

Seems to me, the piece to play with is the 2.75" piece. .75" is plywood and 2" is foam ... I would stick with your usual way of sizing everything, otherwise you're gonna SEE a difference in this piece.

I'd make the 2.75" piece 2.25" ... I think that'll snug it up same as your other cushions.

Alan
54 Chevy Pickup

[Stinkin_V8]

Alan,

I think I know what you're getting at. Are you taking the selvage into account? Once I sew the 2.75" boxing to the faces, it will be 2.25" which is similar to what I did with the other cushions. All the other pieces use 4" foam, and I never noticed until now that this piece is different because of it's location. I cut the boxing to 4", sew it on and fight the foam into the cover. Once it's in, it looks great. Way better than a guy like me should be able to pull off!

I'm more worried about fitting the face around that plywood. The original face used to sag under the plywood when the bed was up, I'd like mine to be snug.

I've been trying to salvage the zippers off of the old cushions.. It's just not worth it, some don't even work at all anymore. So I'm off to the upholstery shop to get some zipper, but I'm thinking of trying velcro instead... Any thoughts?

[horvath]

2.25 sounds a bit tight to me ... but if that matches the kind of snugness that you've done on the other pieces, go for it.

Velcro should work okay ... I think that's your call, too.

I think the sagging around the plywood was due to age ... and due to people sitting a lot - naturally, the foam goes down and the vinyl sags whenever someone sits on it.

Alan
54 Chevy Pickup

[ChrisMiddleron]

I wish I had me a couple of nice vehicles to fix up like that Im stuck fixin up a pinto. I dont know much about sewin goodluck

[4 Jaw Chick]

Stinkin_V8, Velcro is probably your best choice for fasteners. Easy to install and low maintenance. Also makes things much simpler if you ever want to take the covers off to clean them.

As for the sizing of that last cushion, I would add 1/2" to the dimensions and cut the piece a little bigger, as you said, plywood will not compress the way the foam does. Also, you need to consider that if the fabric or vinyl you're using is too tight against the plywood you will be adding stress to it and run the risk of it tearing or the stitching coming loose.

Just my .02
Good Luck :p

[horvath]

That's a good point and, as usual, 4Jaw's info is most helpful!

I would sand and ROUND off all corners and edges of the plywood - especially the corners.

Alan
54 Chevy Pickup

[4 Jaw Chick]

Another suggestion if you're really concerned about this cushion looking different than the others, is to cut it the way you did the others but add a reinforcing pad at the corners where the fabric/vinyl will be contacting the plywood. A small circle of vinyl sewn into the inside corner should do the trick.
Most campers already have the corners of any plywood bed platforms rounded, but if your camper is an older model this may not have been standard at the time it was manufactured.
Have fun, some pics when it's done would be nice.

[Stinkin_V8]

Yep, the corners are already rounded. The sag is underneath the plywood (it folds up as the top of the bunkbed and down as the back of the couch). I think I'll give it a shot of spray glue to keep it from sagging, although it isn't a big deal unless you're on the bottom bunk looking up and really bored.

The person at the fabric store talked me into zippers, they were better quality than the ones I was taking off, less sewing than velcro, half the price, and better holding than velcro.

Thanks for the input, folks. And nice to see you aboard, Chick. Chuck's helped me on a few topics, and now you. If this keeps up, you'll have to adopt me!

[horvath]

No bout aDout it ... Chuck is a BIG help 'round here! I've only been a member here for 5 months and I can't count the number of times Chuck has helped me out.

Thanks, Chuck.

I would definitely glue that bottom panel, bro' ... and to add a nice touch, I'd glue foam under it, too.

Alan
54 Chevy Pickup

[4 Jaw Chick]

Yeah, I've always found the zippers that are used from the factory for things like camper cushions and such are pretty cheesy. If you've found a heavy duty one that's easier to install than Velcro, go for it! And how about just flipping the plywood over so that the warped side faces up, then whoever uses it next will have to warp it back the other way. A good shot of spray glue probably wouldn't hurt either.
And thanks for the welcome guys, makes me feel all gooshy inside:skeptic:

[gt2betubbed]

I'm confused! (not about the thread, sounds like great advise) I haven't been a member long either, but I've read numorous threads where 4 Jaw Chuck, Haloweenking, and Willy's have been GREAT help. But on this thread, it says 4 Jaw "CHICK"! Alan, you keep saying Chuck, am I missing something?
4 Jaw Chick, any relation to Chuck? Since I'm on here a lot, I figure I should get to know you guys/gals!

[4 Jaw Chick]

Hi gt2, I'm 4 Jaw Chick. (You can call me Chickie for short), I'm also a junior Greasewhore (Kim aka Chevyluvnpuppy) is the Head Greasewhore. :laugh:
Is there any relation between myself and 4 Jaw Chuck? In a word -- YES! I'm the little woman (so to speak) and he only just let me out of the basement about a month ago. He still likes to put the chains on occassionally but it sure is nice to see the light of day. I don't have the knowledge that Chuck does, but I have a my areas and I try to help out when I can.
Nice ta meet ya!

[horvath]

My mistake, man. The Li'l Lady's advice was so cool, I thought it were Chuck his self! It figures that Chuck's Ol' Lady would be so hip.


Alan
54 Chevy Pickup

[4 Jaw Chick]

Thanks Horvath, it makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside to know my advice is helpful!:laugh:
Like I said, I don't have Chuck encyclopedic knowledge (the man is a machine, it's kinda scary sometimes ) but I do have my areas and I try to help out when I can.

Chickie.