HOWARD JOHNSON'S REUPHOLSTERY CO. & ANTIQUES

SEWING CUSHION COVERS.     Remove cover from foam cushion, using a crayon mark the rear of cover by zipper. Mark a B for back...... and front a F-.......  Using a seam ripper, remove welting and or banding. Measure width of band.  All cushions have a top and bottom.  Once all parts are apart, you can measure, width and lenght. Use your measurements to cut out new fabric. Note: your type, and or texture, with patterns, or repeats in your fabric.  Transfer your markings, of the Front, and Rear.  The band size is very important ! Most bands finish at -2.5-3.5-4.5-5.-  The Zipper band is always 1" bigger than the band ! To allow for seam allowance, If a cushion is 4" the band will be cut at 4.5- and the zipper at 5/1/2.  wide. take the zipper and make the same lenght as the old zipper. fold you fabric- 5/1/2 and cut in center. Once you sew zipper, face down to fabric, and re-sew on top side of fabric. close to zipper. your zipper should now measure 4.5- once you sew your zipper to cushion cover it will finish at 3.5 inches. Welting should be 1.5 wide, using 5/32 welt cord-Standard size for Furniture, and 4/32 for Automotive. Self welting, a term used by upholsters, is cutting strips of fabric 1.5 wide. Cut your welting on the Bias. fold welting strips over welt cord, sew with a welting foot. you can joint strips if needed to have longer pieces. Start in rear of cushion, in the center. Always refer back to how old cushion was sewn. At each corner, cut a half inch from corner, to square around corner. should be a little box effect. When closing welting at center, cut back fabric 1.5 donot cut welt cord until its bumped up to start side of welt. the welts should meet, tuck fabric under start side, use 1.5 to fold over to advoid a raw edge.

Tip's I teach in my Florissant Valley Upholstery Classes.   Did you know ? that Shaving cream will help remove spots, or stains.  Baby wipes also will remove stains, Lighter fluid removes ink, and oil spots.  If you get blood on fabric, use your saliva to remove it.   When glueing wood joints, try mixing Elmers glue with Super glue, a strong bond.  Apply tissue with Elmers glue, it helps bond tighter.  Vinegar will breakdown glue on any surface.  I never use Gorilla Glue, as it leaves area with residue. hard to remove and will damage finished wood.  You can cut new Foam with a carving knife ! Plastic glides on your furniture feet, will not rust on carpet.  check labels, all fabrics are not machine washable.  Use delicate cycle. try wool wash. note donot put in dryer, put foam back on covers, and let stand until dry. TOUCH-UP- You can do most nicks, and scrapes on wood by using a marker, and a crayon filler stick. note items are furniture related. can be purchased at Home-depot. always use #0000 very fine steel wool, to clean wood. water stains can be removed by using a blush remover spray. Lemon furniture polish liquid only ! works wonders, after using steel wool. Paste wax, can shine most finishes. Brown wax-dark woods- white wax lite woods. Wood filler crayons can fill in dents, and scrapes. Use colors that match your stain color.  Brass hardware can be cleaned by soaking in ammonia, for 1/2 hour. Use #0000 steel wool to remove tarnish. apply a spray clear finish to seal.