I Need a Seat Cushion.
Last time, at the end of my post, I said my next project needs to be a seat cushion. I have a plastic roller chair for my studio. It is pretty comfortable as these chairs go. However, after spending a long time in it, taking pictures for the book resist workshop, I decided it needs some padding.
I thought about just felting a thick piece of felt, but I don’t think it is that easy to get really thick felt. But what about 2 flat pieces? Then sew it together with some wool stuffed between. That would mean I have to find the one bobbin I have for my sewing machine ( after uncovering the machine). Then I thought, just do it over a resist. Then it’s twice as thick, and I can still stuff it with some wool. I would need to wash some wool for stuffing, but I could do that.
I think the resist is the best one. Have you made felt seat pads or cushions?
I can calculate shrinkage easily enough. I know it means I have to make a sample. I am always advising others to make samples; I guess I should listen to myself and not skip it. I have some Swiss Mountain Sheep batts that should work well for a cushion.
I need to design a picture or motif for the top of the cushion, or maybe both sides. I don’t want a boring cushion. I am thinking that on one side, I could use the wet wool outline technique I learned from Ildie here on the blog/ I could probably do my farm logo. Here is one of Ildie’s posts https://feltingandfiberstudio.com/2022/08/22/modern-art-wallhanging/. I did a mirror cover for my car in this style.
My logo and farm name are not that exciting, so I will need to do something more interesting on the other side.
Maybe a mountain scene on the other side? But in real or bold colours, subtle or bold lines. I can’t make up my mind.
Maybe a bigger version of this Monet-inspired fish pond I did.
I have been working on the online Book Resist workshop. I have all the pictures taken and edited. I added them to the instructions, and now I need to fiddle with the layout. I do have someone taking a look at it to find the glaring mistakes. After a while, it sort of all blurs together. In-person workshops are so much easier. I had planned the workshop as a 3-part workshop. Each part is self-contained, so I will do the first part as a workshop this fall and get the other two parts done for the spring, and then expand it.
12 thoughts on “I Need a Seat Cushion.”
My you are a busy bird! I like the idea of the seat cushion, though if you’re going to be sitting on it, I wonder why you need to go to the trouble of making a design for it. I mean I’ve heard of the saying “eyes in the back of your head” but …..🤔😏
Looking forward to seeing what you do with your cushion, and especially to the workshop part 1.
Ann
I do seem to be busy thee days. a picture because I want it to look nice when I am not sitting on it. Not a lot of the time I know but sometimes. LOL I hope to spend this afternoon working on the layout.
Making the cushion using a resist then stuffing it is a great idea.
If you can’t decide on a picture why not go abstract – a random mess of your favourite colours.
Thanks abstract may be the way to go. after all it is just something to sit on not for display.
I love your ideas for your cushion. Every chair needs a cushion, and I agree that using a resist is a good idea, you can achieve your desired level of comfort with your wool.
Thanks Marie, I hope I can do it next. then onto part 2 and part 3 of the workshop.
I would think of a resist instead of sewing 2 pieces together too! I get what you’re saying about swatching when it’s your own project. Do as I say and not as I do, comes to mind!
How are you planning to attach the chair pad so it doesn’t fly off as your bottom comes in for the landing? That was the problem I had with quilted chair pads in the 80’s. There were ties to attach them to the chairs, but they were forever coming untied. If you came in too fast with your bottom, you could darn near miss and land on the floor! Boy, Ann, you made me remember some good times, we had with those old chair pads! 😂
Capi
I will probably do the resist if for no other reason than not having to excavate my sewing machine. My plan was to put a “handle” that would go around the back of the chair but maybe a simple elastic. Maybe I will have to put some no slip grips on the chair or cushion.
Capi & Ann’s comments before made me giggle and I agree with them, particularly Capi’s as your chair has a smooth surface.
I had a similar dilemma with a similar chair although mine did have some in-built padding, so the chair already had a textile cover (no slippage). Solution – I sewed 2 hand towels together to make a full seat & back cover….my cushion stays neatly in place under the cover!
Your resist idea is brilliant as you can then make your cushion any shape….but please think about how it will stay in place – we don’t want you sitting on the floor unexpectedly!
Sounds like you are busy with your resist workshop – keep up the good work.
X
I hadn’t thought about the slippage problem to much. I had landed an elastic or something around the back but maybe some no slip grips will be needed. I do not want to end up on the floor. I don’t get back up the way did when I was younger.
I look forward to seeing how your seat cushion comes out. I think the resist idea is a brilliant one. Maybe you could cover the entire chair and make attached flaps that would go around each end. Then you wouldn’t need to worry about slippage as much. Perhaps just a piece of elastic at the “fold” of the chair to hold that portion in place.
Keep up the good work on the online class!
I was thinking a tie or elastic around the back to keep it in place. I am working on my workshop revision. I think I have the problems solved. The layout looks OK now. I am wondering what will happen when I convert it to a PDF.