I know that for some of us the idea of being outside
and enjoying those patios and backyards is still a long way off but never the
less I thought it would be the perfect time to share a post with you on Outdoor
Fabrics to give you all an idea of what options are available when it comes to redesigning your outdoor space. Outdoor fabric has
been made to withstand the elements much more than other fabrics and you will
find the materials will hold up much longer as they resist mold and sun. You will also find burlap and fisherman's rope to be ideal for outdoor materials.
Prices do vary depending
on the fabric desired but I was rather surprised to find the prices were around $4 or so
less than the non-outdoor upholstery fabrics in some of my local shops. Feel free to ask on prices but to give you an idea some of the prices of fabrics below were around $12.99 per yard, some $10.99, some around $14.99 but those are some of the more popular prints shown in the various photos. I don;t think there were any with prices as high as $18, but if there are, it was certainly not the majority by way of price. In some cases I have a snap shot of the prices for some fabrics, but not for all prints, in which case I will need to pop over to the store to check. If you have a general idea of how much fabric will be needed for your project that helps too when inquiring at the shop.
Enjoy the photos below and if interested in having a project
made feel free to shoot me a message over @ www.Craftzies.etsy.com. You can also
email me images to Craftzies@gmail.
Though the fabrics shown below are from a local store that
does not have fabric available online, I have also included a few links to other fabric shops with Outdoor Fabric prints available:
Shops with Outdoor Fabrics available online: Both of these shops are local to me.
FabricDepot.com: https://www.fabricdepot.com/index.php?page=searchPage&searchstring=outdoor%20fabric
You are also free to ship fabric to me.
(below this patio slip cover post section you will find a link to different Craftzies fabric samples)
Links to different Craftzies Fabric Samples:
Patio Remake-
As mentioned above burlap and fisherman’s ropes are
great for outdoor use, but burlap is a very itchy fiber and despite how popular
it has become because of its versatility and a low price per yard, it is a much
loved material for outdoor decorating. I get it, it looks great in the garden
and in the kitchen, you can decorate it however you want and you can’t beat the
price right? I hear ya. It is however a nightmare of a fiber to sew. And I mean
a nightmare. It itches and you think you need to de-burlap your house, your
cutie, your closet, the inside of the washing machine, yourself, your sewing
area, your ironing board and you still itch. I kid you not.
So, how do we get around that? We’re going to sew
all burlap outside. That’s right, I suggest you take that sewing machine +
sewing table (or a smaller table might be easier for this project) and cut and
sew that itchy burlap fabric outside. That’s number one. They you can sew your
little heart out. You might want to wear sewing gloves because the fabric can
really make your hands rough, but if you cut the materials outside and sew the
panels together outside, and then shake off excess in the yard (if you want
photos take them while still wearing your ‘burlap clothes’) and shower and
change your clothes after you are done making the items, you will be good. Failure
to follow these simple steps will be to your itchy peril-you have been warning.
Here is another note on burlap fabric. Once it has been sewn it is a bit better
and certainly less itchy. So yes, in some cases you can have an outdoor item
made of burlap that is not just a jute garden growing bag, but I do not
recommend burlap as a fiber for slip covers. It is just too itchy. I once had a
customer who wanted a number of burlap items and one of those was a burlap
pillow sham set and a bed skirt. I can do it, but I do not recommend burlap as a
material for pillow shams. We can find you a fiber that has the look but will
not be so very itchy for pillow shams. For something like a bed skirt it’s a
little different. It might make the dog itch but at least it’s not up on your
skin and irritating your skin. When I make burlap items for customers I sew
those outdoors, so it is a weather permitting job for me and usually done in
the Spring and early summer.
Now that you have had an opportunity to scroll
through and get an idea of the materials available for outdoor use, we now have
an opportunity to chat about what we can use those fabrics for. Patio styled
slip covers are a little different than other slip covers, but not by much. A
lot of my customers want slip covers to fit over existing inserts or slip
covers and there is a difference between the two. If a customer wants me to
make a slip cover for an existing seat insert + slip cover already on the
insert, then I would make it a little bit bigger to accommodate for the slip
cover. Some want to have an entirely new slip cover made so they can switch out
the cover they already have. The first one may be retired or just switched out
when desired. Whatever the reason, I have made these types of slip covers
before and can offer them to you. As with a lot of my custom work I will be
charging for the materials needed + work fee + shipping, and if you do need
padding inserts then I can include them in the sale for you however please keep
in mind it may be more economical for you to find them locally as I will be
charging you the price the shop charges me as well as additional shipping to accommodate
for the bulkier package.
So when you are looking at a photo of a sun bed like
this one, what is the general breakdown of such a lovely slip cover? Excluding
the insert, you are looking at about 3 ¼ yards of fabric for the top cushion
and about 3 ¾ yards for the bottom cushion. You have about 28 yards of piping
needed, the excess in fabric from what you have above will cover the piping
being covered and the side panels (piping is around 35 cents per yard). You
will want about 1.5 yards of piping for pillows made with piping, give or take
a little bit depending on size. Each slip cover will want a hidden zipper in
full length. Those are about $3-$4 each. It is a little hard to see from the
image but you will want either simple stitching or little covered buttons for
the design in the middle of the cushions. Stitching would not cost extra,
buttons can be about $3 per set of 4-5 so you can count on $6 minimum for
buttons and we can cover them in the excess matching fabric.
Material charge:
price per yard of fabric as cost set by shop-local shops are Joann, Mill End,
Fabric Depot/ Online shops: Joann, Fabricdepot.com, fabri.com, fabricguru,
Beverly’s, J&O-I like all of these places but feel free to pick fabric from
other online sources. Do make sure however if you want these to be outdoor
items you want outdoor upholstery fabric.
*If you need to know how much fabric you will need
for a project send me the measurements (via etsy @ www.Craftzies.etsy.com) and I will let
you know J
+
Project Cost:
This is the work fee and the price I charge for making your item. Despite how
simple some of these items appear they do take a lot of time for me to make and
I can easily spend a few hours making your item and preparing it for shipping.
In many cases, and the reason why I have very few slip cover images for patio
furniture, is mainly because I do most of my outdoor upholstery sewing in the spring
and it is way too wet to get decent photos of the larger items inside or outside.
I also in many cases do not have the chair your slip cover will fit in nor the
insert available. Despite that I will be making a number of slip covers for my
own patio furniture so you will see some photos soon. In the mean time, for
those interested in how much the work fee will be for making some of these
items, simple chair slip covers will be $14 per slip cover for the work, pillow
slip covers will be $12, the simple lounge slip cover will be $20 and the
larger ones such as the sun bed above would be $55 for the large set of two.
+
Shipping Fee:
The price the postal service charges me is what I will charge you and in most
cases I find usps priority flat rate shipping in the states to be the most
economical. Having custom slip covers made can be one of the most economical way
in which to get what you want in the sizes, colors and prints that are perfect
for your outdoor space, and shipping should not cost a fortune however as I try
and keep my prices as fair as possible, I do have to charge you for the full
price for shipping an item. Once I have given you a quote and charged you
shipping any additional costs will be covered by me however. International
shipping tends to be higher and an item such as a bulky heavier weight slip
cover for a large lounge styled chair can cost up to $40 to go to Canada so
please keep this in mind when placing your order. I can give you an estimate on
what I expect shipping to be once I see the measurements of the slip cover and
the fabric you have chosen but until the item has been made and boxed I will
not have an official shipping quote for you.
Note:
When your slip cover arrives it is important that you slowly slip the new cover
over the inserts and be patient as you do so. I have personally found that the
slip cover is the perfect size, it may just take some time to wrestle with the
giant foam insert before the slip cover goes on and everything fits perfectly
So when your slip cover arrives have no fear, it will fit and it just takes a
bit get it perfectly adjusted inside. I specifically mention this because I
have personally made slip covers for lounge chairs and window seats and when
you are dealing with the larger pieces of foam, even I have had those moments
where I have been wrestling with the foam and saying to myself there is no way
this is going to fit. Why not? I made it perfectly and nearly given up, only to
wrestle a little more and maybe grab someone to help you a bit and you will
find it will fit, it just takes a bit extra. It really should fit. If it doesn’t-no
matter what you do or who you get to help-of course, definitely let me know,
but before we get to that point definitely keep in mind the idea that even I
have had my moments of doubt only to find the cover did fit, it just took a bit
of adjusting in order to work perfectly.
Links to different Craftzies Fabric Samples:
Upholstery Fabrics: http://craftzies.blogspot.com/2012/07/upholstery-fabrics.html
Cotton Fabric Prints & Solids: http://craftzies.blogspot.com/2012/06/cotton-prints.html
Fabric Bolts! Fabric Bolts! (more cotton prints): http://craftzies.blogspot.com/2012/07/fabric-bolts-fabric-bolts.html
Bridal & Evening Fabrics: http://craftzies.blogspot.com/2012/06/bridal-and-evening-fabrics.html
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