MAKING CUSHIONS BOLSTER CUSHION
Before cutting
the fabric, decide whether any pattern should run along or around the cushion.
Cut a rectangle of fabric long enough to wrap around the bolster pad, with 12 mm
seam allowance down all sides. Make the rectangle into a tube to fit around the
pad, setting a zip into the seam. Fit on to the pad wrong side out, and clip
into the seam allowance. Cut a circle of fabric for each end of the cushion,
including the same seam allowance.
Apply piping or
frills around the edge if required. Fit the circles on to either end of the
tube, wrong side out, and tack along the seam line. Remove the cover from the
pad and machine stitch seams. Layer and notch seam allowances and press towards
the circles. Press, and then turn right side out and press again before
inserting the cushion pad. You can decorate the end of bolsters with tassels,
rosettes, covered buttons etc. Fit the outer back panel to the back of the
chair in the same way, and pin and mark the seam line around the top and sides
of the back of the chair. Remove the cover and pins and apply piping to the
scam line around the back of the chair. Tack the scam, then stitch, leaving an
opening down one side edge
Draw a scale plan and work
out a cutting layout for the panels of fabric, checking that the grain runs up
and down the chair, and from front to back across the seat. Then calculate how
much fabric you will need from the scale plan. Cut out rectangular panels for
the back, outer back and seat of the chair to the appropriate measurements.
Mark the center of the back panel, seat panel and chair with lines of pins. Pin
the back panel on the chair, wrong side out, matching the pinned lines. Fit it
around the top of the chair with stitched darts or tucks if necessary.
SCATTER CUSHION
Cut out the top
cushion piece from fabric, allowing 12 mm seam allowance all round, and make a
paper template from it. Cut the paper across where the zip is to be inserted
(about J third of the way down), and spread the pieces 2.5 cm apart to allow
for the zip. Make a template of this shape and use it to cut the fabric piece
for the back. Insert the zip. Apply any decorative trims to the front panel of
the cushion. Position the piping or a frill around one cushion piece if
required, raw edges together, the piping or frill facing the center of the
cushion piece. Tack and stitch in place.
if necessary to fit the cover. Pin and fit the
scat panel in the same way.
Stitch the
seams, inserting piping, if required. Fit the back of the cover and the scat on
the chair again and tack the scam between the two. Stitch the tacked scams. If
there is a crack between the upholstered back and the scat of the chair, shape
the scam line so you can tuck in the flap.
For a gathered skirt, cut the fabric
to twice the length of the edge the skirt is to be joined to and join the
fabric to make a long strip, allowing 10 cm (4 in) for the hem, a 12 mm seam
allowance along the top edge, and a 2.5 cm (1 in) allowance at the ends of the
strip for finishing. Press under the turning allowance at the ends; press under
a 2.5 cm (1 in) turning along the lower edge, then turn up and stitch an 8cm(3
in) hem along the lower edge.
Gather the raw
edge and fit the skirt around the edge of the scat and stitch in place,
neatening seam allowances together. Set a zip into the opening at the back
corner.
