hi, looking for some advice on my latest project. i am recovering my caravan seating, i don't have a sewing machine and can't afford to get covers professionally made. so it's just me, the fabric and a few cans of extra strong spray adhesive! what i am wondering is whether to attach the new fabric to the old covers (which are in good condition just a bit tired and old fashioned) or whether to glue it straight on to the foam. if i attach it to the covers i could still take them off to wash but i'm not sure if the glue would stand up to being in the washer (it does say washable but...).
has anybody had any experience doing something like this any advice would be appreciated
Chances are that a spray glue may ruin the foam and gluing onto fabric is never going to stay put. There is also the problem with seams. how will you do them. The only answer for you is to hand sew the fabric. Either that or some throws which a lot of 'vanners use.
I would not glue .
Why not try to fit the fabric on the seats by laying fabric the wrong side up. Make a fold like a dart on each corner then hand sew. This will help keep them in place .
Turn fabric to the right side then just tuck it under the seats . You will be able to remove to wash.
Or buy throws quite large ones that tuck well in . They will look very nice again easy to wash . A few cushions to match . I always use throws and cushions and love them.
hi, I sew for a living and am based in a upholstery unit, so between us we do lots of loose covers or full upholstery (when I'm not recovering from hand surgery!). first, spray glue will have no affect on the foam it's used alot on full sofa upholstery. BUT I'm unsure this will be enough to hold it together, if you want to try then i would look at leaving the original fabric on, all being it's flush and has no raised pattern, velor/draylon may be a bit iffy, so would solely depend on the exisiting fabric. many dining chair pads are covered over as it maintains the shape of 'well used' foam. (although these are stapled)
another option is to stick the foam to a slim wooden base, thick enough for staples and staple it on, OR find a indpendant sewer, i used to work out of my conservatory and would do caravan cushion covers for VERY cheap! there maybe someone starting off and a 'maybe not perfect' sewed cover maybe better than a bad glued job!
------------- April-Norfolk 7nts, Oxford 2nts, Defford 2nts
May-Symm Yat 3nts
June-Defford 2 nts,Pembridge 2nts
July-Tabacconist 2nts, France 19nts
Aug -Bosworth 2nts, Winchcombe 3nts
Oct -costwolds 6nts
thanks everyone, i'm not a big throw fan (i find myself always straightening them and faffing!) think it is going to be a mix of fabric glue and a bit of hand stitching
Owennicki when you say the raised pattern on velour is a problem is that because it look wrong under new cover or will the glue sink into it and not stick?
bit of both really, without seeing fabric, just try holding it over existing fabric to see if any 'paterns' (lumps and bumps) will transfer through. the velor may affect the adhesion again dependant of fabric as it has a 'movement' if you sweep your hand over the fabric how much give does it have? just lay it over and have a play see how it feels etc
------------- April-Norfolk 7nts, Oxford 2nts, Defford 2nts
May-Symm Yat 3nts
June-Defford 2 nts,Pembridge 2nts
July-Tabacconist 2nts, France 19nts
Aug -Bosworth 2nts, Winchcombe 3nts
Oct -costwolds 6nts
like running your hand over stubble, it will move with change of direction preventing/restricting adhesion.
If there is any form of flowering/scrolling pattern that is not as prominent as the fabric, this will create an unattractive pattern on the new material, especially if it has its own pattern.
Could you not take the existing covers off, turn them inside out and put them back on so you have a more stable surface to work with?
Even take existing ones off and unpick them and you have a template to work from?
I reckon laying the fabric pattern side down, then place the foam over the top. Pull in or line up all four edges at each corner you would create a triangle of spare material, stitch up this (when you return to the right side you should have a neat corner)
To keep fixed in place, stitch some elastic across the bottom to hold in to place, or use upholstery buttons and stick say 12 in a pattern across the recovered seat? (hope that makes sense)
We are looking at budget vans, so me being me will have to do this. I have a brand new sewing machine still in the box that I have never used.
If I was braver I'd offer help using it and you as a bit of a guinea pig (errrrr haha) as you don't live too far from me. I do make a lot of stuff craft wise, but its a big job for a sewing machine novice
------------- As a child my families menu consisted of two choices: take it or leave it.
OK clearly need to get out more, but thinking my explanation was poor, I have run a simulation with a box (foam) and paper (fabric) to show better what I mean.
Here goes:
line up the edges so you have enough material....
Fold over the edges, this is where you will be left with the triangle of material, stitch up where I have put the dotted line...
Push the triangle inwards....
Fold over and tuck everything into place, its seems to want to do this quite tidily then stitch it all in to place with extra strong thread
Once you then turn in back from being inside out, you are left with (what should be) a nice straight edge
I reckon this could be done quiet easily by hand. Where you have the gaps underneath is where you would run strips of elastic cord to keep it all on, and if sewn properly, I see no reason why they would not stand up to being removed and washed.
The End.
------------- As a child my families menu consisted of two choices: take it or leave it.
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Topic: re-upholstering (no sewing!)
