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The Sew What’s New Archive
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From: MaryW
Date: 03-27-2005, 01:47 PM (1 of 19)
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This week we can discuss sewing with canvas. I have made different things in the past with canvas. Outdoor seat covers and bags mostly. It is 100% cotton and usually quite stiff. Washing will soften it up. What have been your experiences while sewing with canvas? MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
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From: esrun3
Date: 03-27-2005, 01:51 PM (2 of 19)
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I made some bench cushions and pillows for a friend out of green striped canvas. Found it easy to work with-stiffer but sewed up well. Just used heavier thread & a larger needle. They've held up well for several years now too.
Lyn
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User: esrun3
Member since: 12-02-2004 Total posts: 2345 |
From: plrlegal
Date: 03-27-2005, 02:59 PM (3 of 19)
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I made an awning from green & beige striped canvas last summer for our patio. It is on the west side of our house. I will probably be making a couple more this summer. I also had to use a heavier thread and a size 16 needle but other than being stiff and ackward to move around, the awning came out really nice. Patsy Patsy
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User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001 Total posts: 318 |
From: MyGirlFriday
Date: 03-27-2005, 03:09 PM (4 of 19)
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I just discovered that I will need to sew a couple of items using canvas! My dogs have chewed the seat covers on my outdoor swing! I could just kill them!!  Does anyone know how to go about making some new covers?? Maybe make them with ties so they can be removed~thus saving the wear on them? Where can I pick up some of this type of fabric?? Ideas would be quite helpful! mgf~ 
Blessings & Smiles
Frogs have it easy....they just eat what's buggin' them. |
User: MyGirlFriday
Member since: 12-05-2004 Total posts: 288 
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From: DorothyL
Date: 03-27-2005, 05:53 PM (5 of 19)
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Ties would drive my dog nuts. I'd have to use a zipper. I've never worked with canvas -- that I can remember. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: beachgirl
Date: 03-27-2005, 06:26 PM (6 of 19)
| I would measure the cushion add the seam allowance, I'd do a 1/2 inch. Make a paper pattern & you'd have it. If your not real sure make a muslin mock up first. You can always use that under your canvas cover if you want. You can also use Velcro for the closure or make the back side an envelope style. Both are easy on & off. |
User: beachgirl
Member since: 08-31-2004 Total posts: 615 
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From: beachgirl
Date: 03-27-2005, 06:33 PM (7 of 19)
| Sorry, I forgot about where you can get the canvas. Jo Ann's sell it & such places. Some patio places that make covers sell better & different types of outdoor fabric. Since I'm in Fl. I get the mildew & sunproof fabric. Fabric that I can wash or scrub. I can even use bleach water & a scrub brush on mine. That material is expensive but I've had the same fabric since the 80's. Am so tired of it now. Wonder why ? LOL. |
User: beachgirl
Member since: 08-31-2004 Total posts: 615
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From: MyGirlFriday
Date: 03-27-2005, 08:11 PM (8 of 19)
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Thanks for your help! I think I just might be able to do that.... My DH cooked dinner out on the grill tonight and he said that the squirrels might be messing with my cushions!  I love the squirrels..but if they are messing with my swing cushions I just might have to rethink the whole thing and go with something else!! I will look around for fabric and try the muslin first... mgf~
Blessings & Smiles
Frogs have it easy....they just eat what's buggin' them. |
User: MyGirlFriday
Member since: 12-05-2004 Total posts: 288
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From: Sewhappie
Date: 03-27-2005, 09:25 PM (9 of 19)
| I want to know how hard it was to make the awnings? Did you have the frame work already or did you have to built them yourself? If you build them what did you use and how did you attach them to the house? |
User: Sewhappie
Member since: 10-27-2001 Total posts: 1427 |
From: beachgirl
Date: 03-27-2005, 09:48 PM (10 of 19)
| Is there something that squirrels don't like to be around at all? Maybe that they could smell but people can't ? I know that sounds far fetched but if they are chewing on your cushions new ones aren't going to help. Does anyone know of something ? This gal needs some help on this matter but nothing to harm her squirrels. |
User: beachgirl
Member since: 08-31-2004 Total posts: 615
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From: MyGirlFriday
Date: 03-27-2005, 09:55 PM (11 of 19)
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That is for sure..I like the squirrels!! I just wished they didn't like my cushions! I need to google a deterrant for squirrels!! Maybe a sign~  Cushions NOT food! mgf~
Blessings & Smiles
Frogs have it easy....they just eat what's buggin' them. |
User: MyGirlFriday
Member since: 12-05-2004 Total posts: 288
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From: Magot
Date: 03-28-2005, 01:54 PM (12 of 19)
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"the squirrels might be messing with my cushions" that conjures up some weird pictures - 2 squirrels trying to get the swing to go as high as they can - squirrels making out while Mom is indoors - a family having a pic-nic and spilling the juice - squirrels mischieviously swapping the cusions around so they don't fit properly - a whole bunch of teen squirrels sharing a spliff..... and then you go and spoil it all by saying they are chewing the cushions-- what are the cushions made from - it may be the stuffing that is attractive - I had a whole buch of bean bags once - before the local mouse population decided they were red cross food parcels for mice... The only thing I have made out of canvas was using buckram - more like a heavy hessian stiffened with starch to make it solid. It doesn't fray and you sew it with baler twine. love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us Cells a Speciality DNA to order. |
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002 Total posts: 3626 
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From: plrlegal
Date: 03-28-2005, 02:54 PM (13 of 19)
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Sewhappie I bought the green and beige striped awning canvas at Hancock Fabrics and they cut it to length for me (42 in.); I then sewed the lengths together with flat felled seams, put hems in either side and added grommets. DH used the steel framework of the patio cover and just screwed hooks into it and hung the awning from the hooks. When the awning is not in use, we fold it up and hook the other side on the hooks. It is very easy to put up and take down and it folds flat for easy storage. I'll be making 2 more shortly. Patsy Patsy
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User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001 Total posts: 318 |
From: MyGirlFriday
Date: 04-02-2005, 01:59 PM (14 of 19)
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I think that they have canvas on sale at Hancocks... I went and measured my cushions so I will be going to get some to make my replacements! I actually have thought about just making a cover for the cushions that are already there.....I'm not sure. This thread has been helpful in knowing what I will be needing to begin my project~ mgf~
Blessings & Smiles
Frogs have it easy....they just eat what's buggin' them. |
User: MyGirlFriday
Member since: 12-05-2004 Total posts: 288
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From: Sherri
Date: 04-02-2005, 02:31 PM (15 of 19)
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I have made some fabric shopping bags ot of canvas. Sometimes I find that it is really frayey. Sher My website
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User: Sherri
Member since: 02-07-2001 Total posts: 357 |
From: beachgirl
Date: 04-02-2005, 02:42 PM (16 of 19)
| Canvas will fray. What you can do is do a cover stitch along the seams edges or just a fairly close zigzag or one of the seam finishes. I always finish the seams in some way. I've made cushions, sewing machine covers & mixer covers out of canvas. I've even quilted the canvas at times. If it's going to be washed please finish the seams. I always wash the canvas before I cut it also. I do a cover stitch on all raw edges before I wash it. If the canvas is a solid color I almost always do machine embroidery on it before sewing it together.As my dh tells people " if it doesn't move, she embroiders it ". |
User: beachgirl
Member since: 08-31-2004 Total posts: 615
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From: plrlegal
Date: 04-02-2005, 04:47 PM (17 of 19)
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I made flat felled seams in the awning I made and the outside edges were the factory finished edges, so I haven't had any problem with edges fraying on it. In fact, I just picked it up out in our garage a while ago and checked it out to be sure it's ready to hang on the patio. Got my swing all ready!!! It's Spring (77 degrees) here in Oklahoma City area today!!! Patsy Patsy
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User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001 Total posts: 318 |
From: Laurieb2851
Date: 04-21-2005, 12:31 PM (18 of 19)
| Hey, squirrels make nests and I'll bet that is the attraction to the cushions. Those little stinkers sure know how to survive! What I get a kick out of is they bury food all over the yard and then don't remember where they buried it when it comes time to eat. I remember one time hubby bought some plastic garbage cans to store bird feed in and the very next day there was a hole chewed in the bottom so they could get at the bird feed. We had to go out and buy metal garbage cans. Another year after the winter season we found a nest of squirrels living in one of our cars that had been stored for the winter. I don't think there is much that escapes the observation of a squirrel. |
User: Laurieb2851
Member since: 03-08-2005 Total posts: 16 |
From: joni lowe
Date: 04-21-2005, 02:33 PM (19 of 19)
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Out here on the west coast, I purchased "sunscreen" at Home Depot. It comes in lengths up to 25 ft. The same sort of fabric that they spread over the nursery dept. to protect the plants from sunburn. I used fishing line to sew the panels together, then spread the fabric over a framework of 2x4's anchored into the patio (concrete). We used cable ties (zip strips) to secure the fabric at regular intervals. Been up for about 5 years now, and what a difference it makes during hot August afternoons!! As for the "critter" repellant, there is a product called "Liquid Fence". We have deer that come right up onto the patio to feast on my roses, etc. You simply apply this Liquid Fence onto your plants, furniture, etc. It is a spray, NON HARMFUL, it just stinks to High Heaven until it dries. Once it dries, humans can no longer sense the product, but believe me, the animal kingdom sure does. Respray once a week for the first month, then at 2 week intervals, down to once a month. What the substance does, is re-train the animals that your yard, while pretty to look at, is NOT visitor friendly, and they will look elsewhere for their food and entertainment. Hope this helps. Joni 
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User: joni lowe
Member since: 03-29-2005 Total posts: 75 |
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