Fabric Requirements For Pop-Up Camper Dinette Makeover

Recovering the dinette in your pop-up camper is a great way to give it a fresh new look. The amount of fabric you'll need depends on whether you're covering just the top or the whole cushion. For example, if your seat cushion is 40 inches wide and 15 inches deep, you'll need to add about 20 inches to the length and 15 inches to the width when covering only the top. If you're covering the whole cushion, double the depth and add 20 inches to the length and width. It's also important to consider the direction of your fabric's pattern, if there is one. Keep in mind that upholstery fabric usually comes in 54-inch widths, so you don't need to measure the length of the cushion. This guide will help you calculate the amount of fabric needed and provide step-by-step instructions for reupholstering your pop-up camper dinette.

Measuring the fabric needed

To measure the fabric needed to recover a pop-up camper dinette, you will first need to measure the width of your cushions. This is an important first step as it will determine how much fabric you need and save you from making extra trips to the fabric store.

For the seat cushions, measure the width, depth, and length of the cushion. For the back cushions, measure the width and depth of the widest portion. If you have a directional patterned fabric, you will need to get more yardage to account for the end cap portions.

Once you have these measurements, you can calculate the total fabric needed for each cushion. For example, if your seat cushion measures 23 1/2" in width and 4" in depth, and your back cushion measures 14" in width and 4" in depth, you would need 55 inches of fabric for each bottom seat cushion and 36 inches of fabric for each back seat cushion.

If you have multiple cushions of the same size, don't forget to multiply the fabric amount by the number of cushions.

To account for the end cap portions, measure the width and depth of the seat and back portions. For example, if your seat end cap portions measure 23 1/2" in width and 4" in depth, and your back end cap portions measure 9" in width and 4" in depth, you will need to add 4 more inches of fabric for each seat end cap.

After calculating the fabric needed for each cushion and any additional end cap portions, you can determine the total fabric needed for your project. It is always a good idea to round up to the nearest yard to account for any mistakes or adjustments.

Now that you have measured and calculated the fabric needed, you can begin the process of cutting and sewing your new dinette cushions!

Removing the old fabric

To remove the old fabric from your pop-up camper dinette, start by turning the cushion to the back. Then, using needle-nose pliers or a staple removal tool, remove the staples and take off the old fabric. If you need to, you can also take off the old fabric first and then remove the staples. Inspect the foam and, if it is in good condition, proceed to measure the cushion to determine how much new fabric you will need.

If you want to cover only the top side of the cushion, measure the length and width of the cushion and add 20 inches to the long side and about 15 inches to the small side to account for the cushion height and half of the backside. For a 40-inch wide and 15-inch deep cushion, adding about 20 inches is sufficient.

If you want to cover the entire cushion, including the front and back, double the depth of the cushion and add another 20 inches for the sides, depending on the thickness of your cushion. Also, add 20 inches to the width.

For example, if your cushion is 5 inches thick, you will need to measure the length and width of your cushion, double the depth, and add 20 inches to both measurements.

Once you have measured the dimensions of your cushion and determined the amount of fabric needed, you can proceed to remove the rest of the old fabric. If the foam is in poor condition and needs to be replaced, you may need to cut the old fabric to remove it completely.

After removing the old fabric, you can apply a piece of plywood or cardboard to the backside of the cushion for stability. The board should be a couple of inches smaller than the cushion itself. Sand the plywood lightly to remove any splinters, then use spray adhesive to attach it to the cushion. Centre the board and apply pressure for at least 60 seconds to ensure it adheres properly. Allow the adhesive to dry completely before proceeding to the next step.

Now, you are ready to install the new fabric!

Cutting the new fabric

Now that you've measured your cushions and purchased your fabric, it's time to cut the fabric to size. Here are the steps you need to follow:

• Lay out your fabric: Place your fabric on a flat surface with the wrong side facing up. This will ensure that any patterns or designs on the fabric are oriented correctly when you start stapling.
• Measure and mark the fabric: Using a ruler or measuring tape, measure out the length and width of your cushion, adding an extra 2-4 inches on each side for stapling and to ensure a snug fit. Mark these measurements on the fabric with a fabric pencil or chalk.
• Cut the fabric: Carefully cut the fabric along the marked lines. It is recommended to use fabric scissors or a rotary cutter for a straight and precise cut.
• Consider the direction of any patterns: If you are using patterned fabric, pay attention to the direction of the pattern. You want to ensure that the pattern is running in the correct direction when you start wrapping and stapling the fabric to the cushion.
• Cut additional fabric for corners (if needed): If your cushions have corners, you may need to cut additional fabric pieces to cover them neatly. Measure the height and width of the corners and cut fabric pieces accordingly, adding a few extra inches to account for stapling and any desired pleats or folds.
• Cut fabric for the backside (if needed): If you plan to cover the backside of your cushions, measure and cut fabric pieces accordingly. Ensure you have enough fabric to wrap around the sides and staple securely.
• Double-check your cuts: Before proceeding, double-check that your fabric pieces are cut to the correct size and that you have enough fabric to cover your cushions completely. It is better to have slightly more fabric than less, as you can always trim the excess later.

Stapling the new fabric

Once you have your new fabric, you can start stapling it to the plywood or cardboard.

Place the piece of fabric over your dinette cushion with the batting. Flip the cushion over and use a heavy-duty staple gun to staple the bottom of the fabric to the bottom of the dinette cushion. Pull the fabric tight in the middle, staple, then pull the opposite side tight and staple. Continue in this manner to ensure the cushion looks even and doesn't ripple. Use a generous amount of staples. For the corners, pull them nice and tight and gather the fabric slightly as you go around the corner. Make even gathers and pull tightly as you staple.

If you are using a staple gun for the first time, make sure to read the instructions carefully. You should also wear protective gear, such as gloves and goggles, to protect your hands and eyes.

If you are stapling the fabric to plywood, you may want to use a spray adhesive to attach the plywood to the cushion first. Spray the cushion well and centre the plywood, putting pressure on it for at least 60 seconds. Let the adhesive dry before you start stapling the fabric.

If you are stapling the fabric to cardboard, you can simply centre the cushion on top of the fabric with the cardboard facing you. Pull the fabric up to meet the centre of the cardboard, ensuring it is straight, centred, and wrinkle-free. Then staple the fabric to the cardboard with your staple gun.

Once you have stapled the fabric in place, trim off any excess fabric and add extra staples to secure the fabric if needed.

Finishing the corners

To finish the corners of your pop-up camper dinette, you will need to fold and staple the fabric neatly. Here is a step-by-step guide:

• Flatten out one side of the fabric, then, in line with the cushion, fold the excess fabric to create a tidy, straight crease. Secure it with staples.
• Fold up the fabric from the other side of the corner, tucking under the excess fabric. Keep the fold in line with the edge of the cushion to create a tidy, straight pleat. Then staple it in place.
• Secure the corner with extra staples if needed.
• Repeat these steps for the remaining corners.

You may notice that you have a lot of extra fabric when you start the corners. You can trim this as you go to ensure a neat finish.

Frequently asked questions