Sewing Cushin! is hard pushing!

menglor

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Jul 18, 2011
Messages
96
Ok, so I am trying to remake some cushins, and my question is what kind of thread I should use?

I bought some 16 ouce polly, but I am told my wife's sewing machine isnt going to be able to use it.


My mother who is into quilting, and all things sewing, says in her machine, I could possible get a 30oz or 40oz thread to work. she recomended using 100% cotton thread.

now, I am no expert for sewing, but I was told that cotton isnt good to use since, is degrades over time in sunlight.

is there anyone out there who can recomend what I should ask for when I go to the store?

in Canada we have something called, www.fabricland.ca not sure they are going to be well versed on marine stuff, so any insight from you guys would help.
 

arks

Lieutenant Commander
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Nov 7, 2002
Messages
1,936
Re: Sewing Cushin! is hard pushing!

TruckDrivingFool- Thanks for the AWESOME link! I hadn't seen it. Subscription added!!

Only thing I might add is to use Gore Tenara thread. When I had my winter covers made I discovered it is the most durable stuff available. My canvas guy whined about Tenara being "harder to use" but agreed that's it's the thread that'll last the longest.
So far 6 full years of exposure and still A-OK.
http://www.gore.com/en_xx/products/fibers/sewingthreadoutdoor/sewingthreadoutdoor.html
 

Fireman431

Rear Admiral
Joined
Sep 17, 2007
Messages
4,292
Re: Sewing Cushin! is hard pushing!

<----- (upholsterer)

Any bonded UV rated thread will work. Anafil nylon, bonded poly nylon are the most common. If you are trying to use it in a home/residential machine, you'll have to get a special needle with a larger eye to accomodate. Don't forget, you'll need to wind bobbins with the same thread.

Cotton threads for marine use will hold up for maybe a year or so. After that, they'll degrade quickly.

Another option is to take it to a local upholstery shop and just have them do the sewing for you. Pretty inexpensive.
 

menglor

Petty Officer 3rd Class
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Jul 18, 2011
Messages
96
Re: Sewing Cushin! is hard pushing!

ya, I am seriously considering that too. I shopped around for a industrial sewing machine , and honestly I found a few at 200, and really for the 3-5 pillows I need to make, I can imagine an upulstery shop charging me tha tmuch if I pre cut everything and bring it too them.

I have age size 16 needle (made for leather), and the thread I ordered off ebay from the guy who sold me the vinyl is bunching up in the machine. My mother laughted and called it almost rope. its 16 ounce thread.
 

Fireman431

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Re: Sewing Cushin! is hard pushing!

The main issue is that the machine doesn't have the ability to move the material thru it like a commercial machine with a walking foot does. It will do fine for lightweight material, but not for vinyls, unless you pull on it as you sew. You're still going to get a mediocre seam at best.

If someon brought me the precut vinyl and just wanted me to sew it up, I would prob charge in the neighborhood of $15 per, depending on size. That would be for a seat designed to pull over and staple down. For a zippered cushion, look at double that.
 

25thmustang

Lieutenant Commander
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Mar 20, 2008
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1,849
Re: Sewing Cushin! is hard pushing!

Off topic, $15 per cushion??? That's an excellent price! I've sewn cushions and if it was 15 per for someone else to do it, I would jump for joy!
 

menglor

Petty Officer 3rd Class
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Jul 18, 2011
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Re: Sewing Cushin! is hard pushing!

i would take him up on the offer, if I knew it wasnt going to cost me 200 in shipping back and forth, with duties and taxes. :)

but I agree, thats an awsome price.
 

86 century

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Sep 8, 2009
Messages
986
Re: Sewing Cushin! is hard pushing!

There is also the length of the stitch.
My industial machine has a much longer stride on the foot than a normal machine.
 

bruceb58

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 5, 2006
Messages
30,587
Re: Sewing Cushin! is hard pushing!

There is also the length of the stitch.
My industial machine has a much longer stride on the foot than a normal machine.
Agreed...and with a longer stitch length, you have less holes in the fabric and less likely for the fabric to tear.
 

Fireman431

Rear Admiral
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Sep 17, 2007
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Re: Sewing Cushin! is hard pushing!

US Postal Service flat rate boxes ship anywhere for a flat rate. I just got off of their web site and a moderate sized box from Canada to US is $26-$35, depending on the box you choose (if it fits, it ships). That's $52-$70 total round trip. Up to you. PM me if you're interested and I'll give you the information you need to get started.
 

canvasgirl

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Dec 7, 2011
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Re: Sewing Cushin! is hard pushing!

Go with the poly thread and use the heaviest thread your machine will handle. Cotton won't last and breaks easy.
 

PS94

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Aug 1, 2009
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293
Re: Sewing Cushin! is hard pushing!

i would take him up on the offer, if I knew it wasnt going to cost me 200 in shipping back and forth, with duties and taxes. :)

but I agree, thats an awsome price.

There will be no taxes, as you are still the owner of the item. Send it as a "Repaired Part" both directions, and there will be no duties or taxes.
 
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