New PRoject

What a good idea, your plan for double duty! As far as the zipper goes, I think I'd be tempted to go for an exposed application, and simply topstitch the cut edges on either side of the zipper teeth. Maybe stitch once close to the edge, and then again a scant quarter inch away.

I haven't sewn on vinyl enough to invest in a roller foot or teflon foot, but find that stitching through strips of tissue paper lets the vinyl feed pretty well under a regular foot.

Doreen in Alabama

Anytime I've had to sew vinyl I've used either talcum powder as the lubricant...or...spray with silicone, either works OK and allows the vinyl to feed correctly. A wipe with machine oil would also work.

Br> duh wrote:

The reverse side of the vinyl is a fuzzy white material. Feeds pretty well. I did try sewing on the right side, and couldn't figure how why it would not budge.

Its coming along. I don't have a pattern, but I'm wrapping the zipper around one of the ends, overlapping an inch or so down each side. I just have to eyeball the parts that I have to cut out of the sides.

One side of the zipper seam is going to look pretty ragged. The other side should be better. Doesn't matter. I'll have my eyes closed.

Dear Duh,

The next time you attempt a project like this, do the zipper seam first. Baste the seam closed where the zipper is to go; use a slot zipper application. Then remove the basting stitches. I've used the vinyl stuff you're using to make boots for my grandchildren's costumes, and it's very forgiving, so this technique should work and save you frustration.

If you look at commercial cushions, you'll see that there is usually a smaller piece of fabric cut where the zipper is to go. The zipper is sewn flat into this piece, then added to the rest of the cushion.

Teri

The way I did it, the zipper, and the material attached to it, was a separate entity, which I then added to the open end of the bag. Biggest problem was how to attach the ends of the zipper construct to the sides of the bag.

Now I have a better idea. Second end went smoother than the first.

Dear Duh,

Do you know how to do dog-ear corners? They're very easy. The only headache is calculating the depth of your cushion, and adding this into your fabric length/width. You sew around the edges, then go back to each corner and re-fold the corners so that the side and end seams meet. Then you stitch a dog ear that measures the same as the depth of your cushion. If you do it this way, you can put the zipper in the end before any of the rest is sewn, and have the dog ear sew across the zipper ends to finish. This might be as clear as mud, but it would work. Trying to put a zipper into a sewn piece is more than my patience would tolerate.

Teri

I do the bottom corners of some of my bags like this. Works a treat for bags as well as cushions! :)

Is that the same as Turkish corners? That's what I did on one end. Couldn't do it on the other end because I needed to wrap the zipper around to make cushion insertion easier.

I kinda did ok with the depth on the Turkish corners. Just did it by hand, then held it against the foam to check the width, then held it tight and went to the sewing machine.

I'm proud of my mangled folding teal cushion mattress zippered thingy.

My new meditation mantra will be "Damn I'm good". Actually, I don't use a mantra. I'll probably just do the same thing I do with my shirts. I'll be sitting in the meditation hall, pestering anyone around me "See this cushion. I made it."

I would have suggested this method too....it's how I cover cushions for lounges etc and very easy, although the first one needs to be measured.

Br> Dear Duh,

Dear Duh,

"Turkish Corners" is a much more elegant term than dog ear corners. I think I'll use it from now on. And yes, that's the same technique.

Teri

Just as long as no curds get stuck there.

A whey with you, you naughty punster!!!

Like that old joke which is a bit dated now "What do Saddam Hussein and Little Miss Muffet have in common?" "Too many curds in the whey".