re-uphlostering benches

[shinobi]

We want to re-do the benches in our '79 Viking Saga and we went to Wal-mart and got enough water resistant navy blue nylon fabric but we're not sure the best way to cover them because the benches are like two cushions connected about an inch in on the inside with a strip of fabric about an inch wide on each end(sorry, hard to explain) Anyone with any ideas on how to go about it? I hope it's simple because sewing skills are lacking Thanks

[diane]

Would it work to make them like tight fitting fitted sheets?

[ScouterMom]

can you post photos?

Is the 1" piece like a fabric 'hinge' that runs the length of the cushion?

I've sewn quite a bit, though I haven't done upholstery recently. I once recovered an entire living room set of loose box cushions, and they are still holding up as basement furniture over 20 yrs later.

What I would do is to literally take one cover apart at the seams and use it as a pattern, making note of how it came apart and a logical order to put it back together. Take lots of digital photos as you go, so if you hit a snag, you can go back and look at how it went together.

If you do have some photos, I'd be happy to take a look and see if I can't help you come up with a plan.  It shouldn't be that hard - covers should all be pretty straight and simple seams.

If you go to a fabric or craft store, or even your library, you should be able to find some books on how to recover cushions, with diagrams that should make things easier, too.

[shinobi]

I tried to take some pics of the cushions, I don't want to have to take the covers off just put new ones on overtop.

[James]

Why not just make two seperate cusions.  This sure would be a lot easier for a novice to sew.

[curryp]

I would cut that tab. I don't think it is doing anything grandiose and you wouldn't miss having it. I recovered some cushions in a travel trailer last year. The steps I took were:
Leave the old fabric on the cushion as it will reduce the wear of the new fabric.
 Layout your fabric and place the cushion on top.
Fold the material over the cushion.
Trim the material leaving yourself some extra room for seams. You can always go back and make another seam closer, but it would be a pain to add material after you cut it.
Turn the material inside out so the side you want showing is touching  and sew seams along two sides.
Sew a hem on each side without the seam.
Turn the cover right side out and put the cover on the cushion.
Pin some velcro to the inside of the two sides you hemmed.
Take cushion back off and sew velcro on.

You should now have a slipcover of sorts that you can remove to wash and dry if need be. Oh, speaking of washing - I would wash and dry the material before cutting and sewing so that if you want to wash the covers later you won't shrink them so they no longer fit the cushions.  

I hope my directions make sense. Good luck.

[ScouterMom]

what she said .... :#  - good description CurryP!

yeah - I was thinking the strip ran the full length of the cushions - and wonderered why?  It would just be a good place to catch crumbs!  but you don't need those hinge strips.  

My guess is that someone made or added those - perhaps they had kids that would scoot around alot and the seat cushions got pushed off onto the floor or something... But I've seen alot of old campers and never seen them hooked together like that.

fitting your fabric on inside out will give you a nice, close fit.  you can close the opening with a zipper, but you don't have to - you can use button tabs, or velcro (but it can sometimes be hard to sew thru - do NOT get the adhesive kind!) or just make a flap to tuck in.