Upholstering new saloon cushions

[steve yates]

Looking ahead to when the interior painting and new headlining is done on our longbow, my wife is getting material samples for the upholstery. She has noticed that it seems common to use cotton wadding over the foam before covering on upholstery sites.
Does anyone do this on board a boat? To me it seems unneccessary to add just another layer of something that could go wrong, get bunched up or get damp etc etc, and that simply covering high density foam would be simpler. But it is a subject I know nothing about.
How have other folk done this?
While we’re on the subject, we are looking at velvet materials, as we have been gobsmacked at how well the couches in the house have held up to dogs etc, and how easyto clean and difficult to mark they seem to be. I did mention that pubs in the 70s used a lot of velvet type material in their seats, and thats hard useareas
What metrials have folk found to be effective on your own boats?

 

[awol]

Polyester wadding is more usual. I think it makes the cushions more comfortable. Spray glue or double-sided ticky will keep it in place while assembling and it doesn't absorb water (also useful for packing those corners where the new covers don't quite fit!). I used marine upholstery vinyl from Nautolex - clames to be proof against blood, urine, UV, beer, coffee, even salt water!

 

[vyv_cox]

Yes, ours have the wadding. Improves appearance and comfort.

 

[steve yates]

Damn, looks like i might be outvoted
I hate ployester next to my skin, wont have it as sheets or pillowcases as it makes me hot. Would polyester wadding in a bunk have similar effect?

 

[Martin_J]

I use polyester wadding then a stockinette cotton wrap... The wadding keeps their fullness (so you don't end up with bagginess in the cover) and the stockinette allows the inner to fit without getting itself twisted or out of line inside the cover...

 

[Martin_J]

If you use something like Visio, you can really reduce your fabric waste as well....

 

[KAM]

Just started a new thread about the cost of foam. Why is it so expensive.

On the subject of covers. Having been plagued by damp under my cushions and having tried all the usual ventilation, insulation, dry mat options I tried bin liners. Slipped the bin liners under the top outer cover. Surprisingly there appeared to be no difference in comfort but the dampness under the cushions dissappeared totally. Its an ongoing experiment and sounds horrible but it works on my boat.

 

[JOHNPEET]

Wrapping the foam cushion with a very light duty plastic sheet material (or bin bag) also allows you to use a domestic vacuum to suck all the air out out of the foam and shrink it down to half its size or less. This makes the task of getting the foam in to the cover a piece of cake! Leave the plastic sheeting on the foam inside the cover for removal next time!

 

[vic008]

Bit OT, but when I had mine made, I wish I had tthought to have stuff identical so could swap squabs around when your favourite seat gets a bit squashed and tired. Just swap for another.

 

[Concerto]

Steve. The best fabric to choose is a chenille upholstry fabric with a rubberised backing. This is what a large number of berth cushions are covered with as it reduces the chance of water entering the foam. It is the same fabric used on chairs in old peoples homes.

 

[Aeolus]

If your boat is reasonably dry, then any commercial quality (high score Martindale rub test), synthetic upholstery fabric will serve - no need, IMO, for 'marine' or 'boat' fabric.