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Skirts on Furniture

 

Should you use a Skirt Stiffener?

To answer the question of whether or not to use a stiffener, you need to look at the purpose and use of a stiffener. Whether or not you need a stiffener often is determined by the type of fabric, the method of skirt construction, and the type of furniture that has the skirt.

There are several methods for making a skirt.

  • Many upholsterers sew all the pieces of the skirts and the top welt together. This method usually involves sewing a separate lining fabric to the back of the skirt flaps. This is the way that I used to do it for many years. However, I was never quite happy with the way that skirts looked. Whenever you sew a number of pieces together that all have to hang loose, it is very typical for the pieces to hang a just little uneven. Because of the differences between the weight of the upholstery fabric
    and the lining fabric, sewing the lining on can make the skirt buckle
    just a little. Using the skirt stiffener helps to keep the skirt hang
    smoother. You can get Skirtex (Skirt stiffener) at many upholstery suppliers. In any case, having the skirt stiffener is very helpful.
  • Another method of making skirts. In recent years I have learned to staple the welt onto the furniture separately, then to put the skirt flaps on individually. Since the skirt flaps are just a piece of fabric folded over, the only seams in the skirt flaps are just at the ends. By carefully stapling the flaps on individually, it is much easier to have smoother hanging skirts, thus mostly eliminating, or minimizing the need for a skirt stiffener. However, a skirt stiffener may still be needed in some cases.

I generally haven't used skirt stiffeners because folding the fabric over serves a very similar function as the skirt stiffener. Also, because there is no seam along the bottom of the skirt, the skirt is much smoother and has less need for a stiffener to keep it straight.

I'd say, if you want to use the stiffener, go ahead. It is very helpful.

When using the stiffener, you don't need to sew it into any seams. Just put inside the skirt to hang loosely. The make the skirt long enough (or cut the skirt stiffener down) so that it doesn't get sewn in the top seam. The height of the stiffener should fill almost the whole height of the skirt, but just a bit short so that the skirt will fold over at the top.

 

Stephen

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Wait and see

Submitted by Janice Elkins on Thu, 2009-07-09 10:27.

Thanks for this, Stephen. I think I'll defer a decision on use of stiffener until I've come close to finishing the frame cover (which I'm about to start having completed my cushion covers), at which time I'm hoping I'll get the correct 'feel' for what would look best as the last element of my slipcover project - phase I.
Regards, Janice

Not sure how to proceed

Submitted by Janice Elkins on Wed, 2009-07-22 10:27.

Hi Stephen.  I'm still hard at work on my slipcover.  I've completed the body of the cover and am ready to apply the skirt.  I looked at your slide shows and have pinned the welting to the main fabric at the right 'height.'  Do I need to sew it on securely before I pin and sew the skirt sections, or do I pin the skirt on top and just sew once?
Also, I have 2 zippers on the back, each is just 4" in from the corner.  Should the zips extend into the skirt (not sure how I'd do that, though) or do they stop at the top of the skirt so there's just an opening in the skirt at these 2 points?  Also, for the skirt sections, do I just sew up the side edges and turn right side out so the sewn edge is at the very end of the skirt section (which means it's a little bulky) or is there a better way given I'm using your method of just folding the fabric to form the skirt - I decided against the stiffener.

Sorry, no photo of the back but can you also advise me on the issue of whether I should 'pleat' the skirt in front center or does the sofa style call for an uninterrupted front skirt, do you think?  I can't decide.  Grateful as always.  Regards, Janice.

Hi Janice Good to see you

Submitted by Stephen Winters on Wed, 2009-07-22 12:57.

Hi Janice

Good to see you still proceeding. Before answering your question, let me mention:

 Proper Skirt Height

To figure the correct height, determine how far off the floor you
want the skirt to hang. (the bottom space is usually between 1/2" to 1"
off the floor). Then  use this formula= (hanging skirt panel height -
seam allowance + bottom space)

For example. If you cut your skirt
panels at 14", then folded them in half, which gives you a hanging
skirt panel height of 7". Deduct the seam allowance (usually 1/2")
equals 6 1/2". Add the bottom space measurement (let's assume that will
be 3/4") and your height is 7 1/4". This means that the existing seam
of the welt should be about 7 1/4" from the floor. With that said, this measurement can vary depending upon client's (you) desire and working conditions, etc.

Attaching the Cording

The skirt can be attached several different ways, but I'll only tell about my preference here. Although I know you said that you already have the cord attached, I just need to say this part (which you have probably already done) : This is very important: With the slipcover right-side-out on the furniture, make sure that all part of the slipcover is fitted to the corners and is hanging just as when it will be when finished. Then measure up from the table or work surface to put your skirt at the desired height. I usually measure up from the table at each corner and then at each cushion division at the front, and in corresponding positions on the back. You can run a "clean" ruler across the top of the welt to make sure that your welt is straight. Also you can sight off along the welt from one end to visually check that your welt is straight. Pin the welt in place ever 6" to 1 foot. you will notice by the picture that I cut the body of the slipcover extra long, and I don't trim that off until I have the cording sewn onto the body. Then I trim the bottom of the body even with the bottom of the seam allowance on the welt.

After pinning the cord onto the bottom of the slipcover, (as you have already done, I usually sew the cord on separately. Although it might seem quicker to put it all on at once, the cording is the foundational piece of the skirt. It determines how the rest of sthe skirt hangs, so it's important to get it attached straight and consistent. I find it much easier to sew the cording on separately than to try to attach everything all at once. I find it much easier to attach all the other pieces to the cording when it is already securely attached to the slipcover.

Another question - as usual!

Submitted by Janice Elkins on Wed, 2009-07-22 13:18.

Thanks, Stephen. That makes sense. But having sewn on the chording and accurately measured/cut the skirt panels, can I then just pin/attach them to the cover at my sewing station or must I do the pinning while the cover is back on the sofa? Also I'm wondering if I can use a thinner (all-purpose?) thread to attach the cording strip so that I don't have quite so much bulk underneath when I do the final skirt stitching with the heavy/upholstery weight thread? Regards, Janice

The Skirt Panels

Submitted by Stephen Winters on Wed, 2009-07-22 13:48.

Attaching Skirt Panels

What I forgot to say is When I originally cut the skirt panel pieces, I cut them at least a couple inches wider than needed. Then, after attaching the welt to the slipcover, I mark where each skirt panel joins to another. At that same time I take each skirt panel, which is not sewn at this point, and hold them up, backside toward me, to the skirt welt and transfer the width of the marks from the welt to the back of the skirt welt. To allow for the loss of width while sewing the ends of the skirt, I add about 1/8" +/- to each end of the skirt panel.(I make the marks on the skirt panel a little wider than on the skirt welt.) Also, while marking the width, put and identifier mark on the top back of each piece. For example, you might mark the Front Right Skirt panel as FRSK.

Then, you can sew both the skirt welt onto the slipcover and sew the ends of the skirt panels, as explained before. In addition, what I haven't mentioned before, is cut enough skirt underflaps for every joint. To avoid extra bulkiness at the joints, I don't fold them over. I merely add about 1/2" to the folded height of the skirt panels, and cut each one about 9" wide. (So, using our previous example, the skirt underflaps might be cut about 7 3/4" high X 9" wide. )Then, assuming you have access to a serger, serge all the edges. Lastly, using a color matching thread, fold over the bottom of the underflap 1/2" and top-stitch (from the back side). This will make the height of the skirt under flap to be about 7 1/4".

When you have all the individual pieces (skirt welt onto slipcover, skirt panels, and underflaps) sewn, you can then sew the skirt panels and under flaps to the already attached skirt flap. Be sure to use your id marks to get the right panels in the correct places.

Best Wishes,

Stephen

Serger?

Submitted by Janice Elkins on Wed, 2009-07-22 14:31.

Stephen, I've heard of a serger but frankly have no clue what it is or what it does. Is there a photo on your site somewhere that shows what a serged edge should look like? Once I know what I should be aiming for I can start calling my chums to see if anyone can help me out. I'm guessing if I draw a blank my skirt edges will just look like this (sorry, it's not quite in focus):

Hi Janice,   Here are some

Submitted by Stephen Winters on Wed, 2009-07-22 14:44.

Hi Janice,

  Here are some examples of a surged edge . Also, take a look at the inside seams of your clothing. Most clothing nowadays has been serged.  Here are some pictures of sergers . A serger trims the edge of the fabric at the same time that it sews the edge. A serger is very handy for making clothes, curtains, draperies, slipcovers, home sewing projects, etc. However, if you don't have a serger, a serged edge is not necessary, just handy. If your fabric isn't too heavy, doing the same folded over design as the skirt panels is fine. The seam on your picture looks fine.

Stephen

 

I get it!

Submitted by Janice Elkins on Wed, 2009-07-22 15:14.

I see what you mean now. I think I'll be managing without, especially as you think my edge looks OK. Plus I'm thinking that when I've finished, while I'll be aware of those little areas that aren't quite perfect, most people won't notice them. Plus, this is a home-made slip cover after all -- I shouldn't expect it to look like it came from a store, or that it was made by Stephen Winters!
Regards, Janice
P.S. Thanks for all your time today.

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