If a fabric is listed as being 54 inches wide and an '18 inch repeat' what does that mean?? Does that mean that per yard there will be six 'squares' of pattern? Is the 18 inch repeat along the 54 width?? Does it matter which way you sew it up? I know there's something about a 'bias'. I am looking at 100% cotton Waverly fabric and making a bench pad out of it, which will be basically a pillowcase. If I don't care how the pattern runs, does it matter how I do it structurally? And if the pad is 12 X 45, can I get away with two yards since each yard of fabric would be 18 X 54? But again...that 18 inch repeat...does that mean the 54 width is 'divided' up into three sections? TIA!

By Cat on Sunday, January 14, 2007 - 08:05 pm:

If your pad is 12 X 45 you need 24 X 45 inches of fabric, plus seam, plus how thick you need it, times two. So if the pad is 4" thick you'd need 32 X 53, plus seams. If it were me, I'd get just one yard of fabric, but that's me. To me, and 18 inch repeat mean the patter repeats every 18 inches, but that's going to be with the yard measurement, not the width. Does that make sense? I'm sorry, it's hard to explain without showing. Are you buying this fabric in person or online? If in person they'll be able to show you exactly how much you need. I hope this helps.

By Kate on Sunday, January 14, 2007 - 08:54 pm:

Thanks, Cat. The pad is two inches thick. I'm ordering it in person, but all they have to show me is a small piece of it, not a whole yard swatch.

Wish me luck...I'm REALLY going to need it!! I keep going over it all on paper trying to work it all out as far as how I'm going to cut it and where to sew it, etc. I have to sew ties, too, and manage to sew them inside in the correct spot as I'm sewing up the 'pillowcase' portion of it....dreading the whole thing.... The fabric is really expensive, too, so I don't want to mess up!! But it matches the chairpads I already have which were STORE BOUGHT! Hooray for store bought!!

By Cat on Sunday, January 14, 2007 - 11:11 pm:

You could have it overlap on the top (or bottom if you don't want to see it) and use buttons to close it. That way you don't have to worry about a hand stitched seam. A zipper is another option, but not really for a beginner (in my experience). You can also always sew the ties on afterwards. Just make them, fold them in half and stitch them on where you want them. Be creative! I haven't sewn anything in a long time, but at one time all the curtains, throw pillows and comforter cover in my house were handmade. Of course, that's when we lived in Panama and I got fabric CHEAP!!! Shoot, my mom even bought a bunch when she visited. Good luck! You'll have to post a picture when you finish.

By Kate on Sunday, January 14, 2007 - 11:22 pm:

Well Cat, this was my thought....tell me if it seems possible. I plan to close up the open end as if wrapping a present....I plan to fold in the two sides and fold down the bottom portion and then the top, exactly as you'd wrap the ends of a present box. I will either then velcro it closed or use heat 'n bond. Any thoughts?

Also, do you know if there is anything I can use to create psudo buttons in the middle, to create a bit of 'tufting'? I obviously can't sew thru all that in a small perfect circle like other chair pads, but someone told me they thought something was sold out there that would push thru it all and attach much like pushing an earring thru and putting an earring back on.

By Kate on Sunday, January 14, 2007 - 11:25 pm:

I meant to say an earring BACKING. Earring post goes thru and then backing goes on.

Also, do you think I should leave BOTH ends open so they can both be closed identically? I won't be able to hand sew it perfectly to match the machine stitched end, especially with a firm foam piece already inside of it, so maybe I should leave both ends open so both can be closed the same way and match perfectly.

Now I have to decide if I want to wrap it in batting. The foam is pale green and the fabric is white with flowers...but a lot of white...I wonder if the green foam will show thru if I don't wrap it in batting. How do you attach batting to a foam slab??

By Cat on Monday, January 15, 2007 - 10:27 am:

Wrapping the pad itself in batting wouldn't be hard. It wouldn't need to be sewn perfectly and could even just be tacked together since it'd be covered anyway.

Wrapping it like a present would work. I would do both ends the same. Remember, if you put the fabric lengthwise with the pad there won't be much at the ends, but it should be enough for a couple inch overlap. The way I was decribing was more like an envelope. Either way would work.

I'm sure they have something like psudo buttons that you could use. Check with the fabric store.