How long to make a cushion zipper?

[baileyuph]

Dumb question huh?  Make it long enough right?

Well, I just finished a large order of cushions and this "how long" issue went through my mind.  A little thought drove me to make the zippers a little longer than minimum because the cushion filling machine could not be used on this project.

So, the work around was - go with longer zippers because it would reduce the length of time installing the filler in each cover.  It is amazing how much easier it is the fill a cushion with a bigger opening!

Saved significant time, especially for a very large number of cushions.

No credit for being smart, the decision was driven by
past struggles filling cushions with minimum length zippers.

Just a though to pass along.

Doyle

[kodydog]

Generally I allow 3 or four inches on each side but recently we did cushions that when set in the chair could be seen on all four sides. So we sewed the zipper from corner to corner. And we made the top zipper flap so it hung over the bottom zipper flap. To top it off we steamed them flat. It was a struggle to stuff but not impossible. Even the dining chairs in the background have no visible zipper. And the customer was very impressed.

[gene]

I usually put 3" or so on each side for furniture seat cushions.

I will put the zip only on the back if the sides are seen like kody pointed out. I use silk film to shrink the cushion insert.

I had seat cushions that were 20" x 20" and the back of the chair only covered about 12" of the back of the cushion. I put a 12" zipper in the back that was hidden by the back of the chair. I used the silk film to shrink the foam insert which was 2" thick with a poly batting and it went rather well. It was a tight fit, though.

When I make my Custom Fit Slip Covers and I put a cover over existing cushions (cushions that keep the existing cover on them), I put the zipper about half way up each side so when the slip cover is dry cleaned in the future, the customer can easily take the slip cover off the cushions and easily put them back on.

Excellent cushion covers, Mr. kodyD.

gene