We spent most of January 2017 making new cushion covers for the seats in our boat. Last year we had made the 4 base seat covers and this year we made the other 7 seat back covers.
The house looked like a furniture factory. Each cushion had 2 curved foam cushion inners.
The issue which makes this a hard task is the irregular shapes of the cushions with no two the same. They also have an internal piece attached to the middle of the front panel and zipped to the back panel which pulls in the shape of the cushion. We bought 20 metres of zips which are cut to length and fasteners added as required.
Therefore the side pieces are curved to fit and enhance the pulled in shape.
There is also a zip around two sides of each cushion to give access to the internal zip.
All the external curved seams were sewn 3 times, once to hold them together, and two rows of top sewing for design and durability. Hence we used a lot of thread.
This one won the prize for the most corners. The velcro keeps it in place against the boat sides.
The corner cushions won the hardest items prize.
Mick was chief pattern maker and material cutter.
The reverse side corner piece above also shows the black centre piece.
Corner cushion with foam inside, before back attached.
One side of corner cushions assembled together.
All the new cushions complete.
The cost of new covers from the boat manufacturer is approximately £2,500, we did this for £50 material, £10 zips, £20 Thread (the grade stronger than normal), £20 for the breathable backing material (black), £200 for new foam for the base seats (J and A Foam, Blackburn). The material was bought from Immanuel Fabrics, Bright Street, Burnley at £1 per metre. It is proper furnishing fabric with a fire retardant backing. Total £300.
We worked from 10am til 4 or 5pm, most weekdays until they were complete. Approximately 2 days per cushion.
My respect for upholsterers has increased greatly!
We hope now that they wear out individually and we don’t have to do a full set again.
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