How to sew and upholster with Crypton fabrics.
- When upholstering tight cushions (kitchen/dining chairs, office chairs, slip covers, tightly upholstered pieces, etc.), sew or staple as you would with any other fabric.
- Crypton Home Fabric, which has all the stain and odor-resistant benefits of Crypton Fabric, does not require specific equipment. It can be treated in the same manner as any other upholstery fabric.
Sewing Crypton Fabric with the integrated moisture barrier is not difficult, but it does require the right equipment. We have established the following recommendations for sewing with Crypton Fabric:
- Thread: 100% nylon thread (for Crypton Outdoor, use Sunguard Anti-Wick 92)
- Tension/strength: 35- lb. breaking strength (top of cushion) / 23-lb. breaking strength (bottom of cushion)
- Needle size: 22 (NM: 140), 20 (NM: 125) or 18 (NM: 110)
- Needle type: Ballpoint needle
- Stitches per inch (spi): 8 (for Crypton Outdoor, 6.5; top stitch at 7.5)
Crypton Fabric with the integrated moisture barrier must be sewn and vented in the same manner as any upholstered leather.
Crypton has established the following recommendations for soft-fill upholstery applications.
Preferred Venting
The preferred method of venting the cushions is much the same as an upholstery professional would manage leather and/or some vinyls. For the bottom cushion, we recommend applying a strip of heavier-gauge muslin with an open weave “breather strip” (Fig.1), measuring approximately 6″-8″ wide across the width of the bottom of the cushion (or on the back face of the bottom cushion). It can be used on either the front or back of the bottom face of the cushion – we recommend holding it back 1″-2″ from the edge to avoid visibility (back is usually preferred).
If sewing with Crypton Outdoor, use an open weave PVC instead of muslin.
The same venting recommendation applies to a non-boxed cushion, where the top piece of fabric is stitched directly to the bottom piece of fabric with no boxing. The back cushions should also employ a heavier-gauge muslin breather strip on the unseen edge of the boxing or gusseted portion of the cushion. Apply approximately 3.5″-4″ breather strips across the width of the boxed portion of the cushion (often referred to as the gusset).
FIG. 1: Air exhausts rapidly and refills expeditiously with this venting method on a traditional box cushion.
Acceptable Venting
If you want the option of a reversible cushion, though with Crypton it is not necessary to rotate cushions, we recommend applying the breather strip approximately 3.5″-4″ across the width of the bottom of the boxed portion on the back side of the cushion (Fig.2), also referred to as the bottom gusset. This method will also alleviate the issue of puckering and refill on a softer fill application with Crypton.
Please note that grommets and blowholes do not refill the loft as quickly as desired. Please discourage your upholstery professional from using this method for venting.
