Thursday, March 21, 2024
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How To Sew Patio Furniture Cushion Covers



No Sew Outdoor Bench Cushion Cover

  • Begin by cutting a piece of foam to fit the size of your bench.  Remember that it is better to go extra big and cut it than it is to go too small.
  • Wrap the fabric around the foam as though you were wrapping a present.
  • Use large 2-in safety pins to pin the edges of the fabric together.  Pin the pins in every few inches.  The pins will be doing the same thing that seams would do, which is hold the fabric in places.
  • Neatly wrap the corners and place pins into the fabric.
  • Place your no-sew cushion cover onto your bench.  You can add ties if you want to, or you can just make sure the cushion fits snugly into the bench.
  • Image Source: In My Own Style

    How To Recover Patio Cushions: Step By Step


    First, lay your fabric out on a flat surface, pattern side up, and position your patio cushion on it. Put your patio cushion in the top corner of the fabric, with the rear of the cushion near the top side, and allow enough space on the side for the fabric to wrap up the side of the patio cushion. If your fabric is too wide or too long, trim it now. Just be sure there is ample fabric on both sides of your patio cushion .

    Next, pull your fabric up and over your patio cushion so it is covered it entirely. Your fabric will meet at the top. Leave an extra three inches of fabric at the top and then trim any excess.

    Once your fabric is in place on your patio cushion, pin the two sides closed. If your cushion is tapered at the back like mine, I recommend you skip the last pin and mark it in another way, such as pins on each side of the fabric in the spot you would have pinned it or a fabric marker.

    Be sure to pin the other side of your patio cushion, too.

    In the above photo, you can see that I’m marking the narrow top with pins, rather than pinning it together.


    Now carefully pull the cushion out. If your patio cushion narrows at the back as mine does and you find it hard to remove, simply curl the patio cushion like a taco inside of the fabric, and you’ll be able to remove it easily.

    Sew up each side where you pinned it, then remove the pins. In the photo below, you can see my black stitch lines.

    Hand stitch the fabric closed. Double your thread for strength.

    Part 2: The Cushion Cover


    To Make The Cushion Cover, You’ll Need:
    • Fabric- Enough of it to cover your cushion, and maybe a little extra to make you feel better about life. I purchased one yard for my 25 1/2? by 15? cushion. The fabric I used in my cushion was .
    • Velcro- You’ll need a strip almost the entire length of your cushion for opening/closing the cover. I used some Industrial Strength Velcro I had sitting around the house, but the adhesive backing kept sticking to the needle on my sewing machine and causing problems. When you purchase your velcro, make sure it specifies that it’s for sewing purposes.
    • Matching Thread- If you choose to use a thicker fabric, make sure you pick thread that is strong enough to handle it.
    • Sewing Materials- Sewing Machine, pins, scissors/rotary cutter, etc.
    The Plan

    We’re going to have two main pieces of fabric here: the top “plate” that covers the top and sides of the cushion, and the bottom “plate” that covers the bottom of the cushion. Ultimately, we’ll sew those two things together to create our cover.

    Step 1: Cut Out the Bottom Plate

    It will be wider than your finished cushion to account for the overlap of the velcro. Because the velcro does not the affect the length, the length will be your finished cushion size. You can use the following formula to find your width:

    + + 1 inch = Width of bottom plate piece

    So, as an example, I wanted my width to be 15?. My velcro was 1? wide. So therefore I should cut my piece to have a width of 17?.

    Step 4: Sew on the Velcro


    Diy Patio Cushion Covers

    Longtime readers may remember that a few years back, I was complaining about wrestling patio cushions into submission on a sweaty summer’s day. Well, much like childbirth, I forgot the pain and agreed to do it all over again.

    Recovering patio cushions is a great way to extend the life of your furniture and give it a fresh new look. I’ve sewn a lot of cushion covers over the years, but this time there was the added challenge of sewing heavy-duty semi-waterproof outdoor fabrics.

    But I love my client, and I agreed her brown- and lime-green patio cushions could use a refresh, so I agreed.

    And you know what? The end result was certainly worth the sweating and cursing.


    Simple Homemade Outdoor Cushion Cover

    No Sew Patio Cushion Covers

    Looking for something simple and easy to make?  Although this does require sewing , this outdoor cushion cover is pretty easy to make.  Here are the steps to making it:

  • Measure the furniture that you will be putting the cushion on.  The fabric should be the same size of the seat plus one inch.  That way you’ll have enough fabric to sew.  Cut two larger panels of fabric, and a side panel.
  • Use fabric scissors to round the edge of your fabric corners on your two larger panels.  To connect your long side panel strip and make one big  loop around the edge of your cushion, fold the panel in half , and sew 1/2? from the edge to connect the ends.  Line up the edges of your side panel loop of fabric with the edge of the top panel, and pin the edge in place.
  • Pin the bottom panel to the side panel in the same manner as the top panel, and make notches on all the corners.
  • Before you sew all the way around the bottom panel, you’ll want to add a zipper at one of the ends so you can insert your cushion filling.  Place the zipper face down onto the right side of the fabric at one of the ends of your bottom panel.  Pin the zipper in place so that the zipper will be installed 1/2? from the edge.
  • Use a zipper foot on your machine to sew the right side of the zipper in place.  Remove the pins as you sew.
  • Cut a piece of foam to fit the size of your outdoor cushion cover.  Slip the foam into the cover, and place it on your furniture.
  • Image Source: A Beautiful Mess


    How To Sew A Box Cushion Cover

    Sew together the zippered panel with the long strip to make one whole piece that will go around the side of the cushion. Pin the zippered portion down to one of your seat cushion panels with the rest of the boxing laying straight off to the side. One other nice thing about drop cloths is that you don’t have to worry about the wrong and right side of the fabric as it all looks the same.

    Important: Start sewing 1/2 inch in at the beginning of this seam. This allows you to join up the seam at the end of the boxing. Continue sewing the zippered portion down until you get to 1/2? from the end of the seat cushion panel. At this point, keeping your needle down, lift your presser foot and turn the fabric to sew down the next side. Before you start sewing, place the boxing strip under the corner so that it is now parallel with the side. Then fold the zippered portion back down onto the boxing and continue sewing down the side.

    Continue sewing the boxing along all sides, repeating this at the corners. Some people like to snip around the corners of the boxing to allow it to turn easier but I didn’t find that necessary.

    When you come to the end of the boxing strip, stop sewing 1/2? from the beginning seam where you sewed the zipper panel on. If you have some extra fabric on the boxing strip at the end, cut that extra fabric off so it is even with the seam. 


    Join the two corners together.

    Sew together those sides making sure the rest of the fabric is out of the way.

    French Mattress Style Cushion Covers

    Supplies You’ll Need:

    • Spun bonded pillow protector 60? fabric
    • Polyester thread
    • Cushion Wrap Silk Film Center Fold 54?
    • Sewing machine
    • Scissors
    • Vacuum

    Here is a on how to make French Mattress Style Cushion Covers. If you are a visual person like myself, it may help to watch the video. You can also find the written instructions by clicking .

    Image Source:  DIY Joy

    Supplies To Make Cushion Covers

    *There are links to products in this post that I use or are similar to products I use. If you buy something from one of these links, I may make a small commission from the purchase. I will not recommend anything that I would not buy myself.

    • Long board to use as a straight edge – I used an extra piece of trim we had around

    Fourth: Shop For Fabric

    Think about where you’re going to put the outdoor furniture.

    • Will the area be covered or uncovered?
    • Will you store the cushions inside our outside when you aren’t using them?
    • Will they stay in the elements? 

    Answering these questions beforehand will help you shop for fabric that will meet your needs.

    Consider such things like:

    • fade-resistant
    • how you clean it

    Check out this video by Fabric.com to get some information on the different types of outdoor fabric to determine what will best fit your needs.

    Diy Patio Cushionsfast And Budget Friendly

    When we moved into our home four years ago, my husband and I promised each other that we would do more home projects to put our personalities into our home. Four years later, we don’t have any family photos on the wall, and while I have a concept in mind for each room, I never want to redo a room unless I can do it all at the same time. I want instant gratification.

    Remember Trading Spaces? One room, two days, and a tight budget to transform it. Okay, okay . . .  it was $1,000 and they had Ty Pennington and professional designers . . . but that’s the kind of instant gratification I want in a weekend project. Unfortunately, that’s rarely do-able with our budget, busy schedules, three young kiddos, and running an in-home daycare that requires rooms to be functional.

    Last month, I looked outside at our deck and cringed. The original stain was nearly gone. The surface was packed with kids’ picnic tables, random toys, and cushion-less furniture. It was a mess. I wanted a place where my family wanted to be outside. My kids were outgrowing some of the kid furniture and I desperately wanted something that was colorful and inviting, but most importantly kid-friendly. So, I gave myself one weekend and a tight budget .

    I finally found a project that anyone could do. It’s incredibly affordable, versatile, and most importantly, it’s fast! I mean, like, once you have your supplies ready to go, you can throw this together in five minutes. No joke.

    Sewing Mattress Style Seam

    Step 1

    Sew the mattress style stitch along all sides and even in the corners of the cushion cover. To do this, fold the fabric out flat along each seam and try to position the seam at the extreme center edge of the folded assembly.

    Step 2

    Position the assembly so the stitch starts about ½” away from the sides’ corner and about 3/8” away from the folded edge.

     

    Step 3

    To keep the first seam centered correctly, sew a few inches then bury the needle and make adjustments to the assembly and repeat.

     

    Step 4

    When you reach the next corner, stop about a ½” away and do some reversing. To move on to the next edge, we will not even cut the threads but we will simply remove the needle from the fabric, lift the flute, reposition the assembly and sew on to the next corner.

     

    Step 5

    Once the plate and boxing are sewn and now we can move on to the opposite side. When sewing this, do not finish or sew the side that is left open for the insertion of the foam or pillow insert. It will be sewn shut in a later step. And now we are ready to insert the cushion.

     

    How Do You Waterproof Outdoor Cushions

    To waterproof outdoor cushions, you can use a fabric protectant like Scotchguard. To use it, clean the fabric as much as you can initially. Then, you’ll want to go into a well ventilated where you can spray the fabric protectant. Spray with slow even strokes 6″ away from the fabric. Add about 3 coats to ensure you throughly cover the fabric.

    Durable Fabric Options To Use

    How to Recover Patio Cushions Without Sewing

    There are lots of fabric options to use for making outdoor cushion covers.  Here is a list of some durable fabric options:

    • Sunbrella – Sunbrella fabric is fine being placed in the direct sun, it is 100% waterproof, and it is chlorine safe.  Because it is chlorine safe, you can place it near a pool without worrying about it getting ruined.
    • Olefin – Olefin is a synthetic fiber.  Besides sunbrella, olefin is one of the most durable fabrics you can buy for your outdoor cushions.  It is resistant to water, sun, mold, and mildew.  It is also easy to clean.
    • Canvas – Canvas covers are a good choice if you want to decorate your cushions, as this material is easy to dye.  However, this materiel is not naturally water or mold/mildew resistant.
    • Duck Cloth –  Duck cloth features a tighter weave and is very sturdy.  Just like the canvas, this is not naturally water or mold/mildew resistant.  However, you may be able to treat it.
    • Acrylic or Vinyl – These are the cheapest cover fabric options on the market today.  Vinyl is durable and easy to clean, but can become hot to the touch in the Summer.  Acrylic is more breathable than vinyl fabric, but it can easily rip.

    No Sew Outdoor Cushion Cover Made With Hot Glue

  • Follow the same steps as the No Sew Outdoor Bench Cushion Cover.  Cut the foam to the correct size, and begin wrapping the fabric around it like a gift.
  • Instead of using safety pins, you are going to use hot glue.  So once you have folded your fabric in such a way that it hugs your cushion, carefully lift each fabric flap and place hot glue on it.  Then lower down the flap and hold it in place while the glue dries.  Continue doing this all the way around your cushion.  If you are pretty sure you know where the fabric is going to fold, you can skip wrapping the fabric until after you place the glue on it.  But it is important that the edge of the fabric is glued down, so you’d have to be really careful.  If you mess up, you can always try to lift the flap and sneak in a little glue under there.  You can’t really mess up making no sew cushion covers.
  • After the glue dries you can place your cushion cover onto your outdoor patio furniture.
  • Im Going To Show You Step

    Making new covers made  my outdoor furniture look brand new again!

    I purchased this set at Target years ago. It came with several pieces and the price was right, only then it was white with light green cushions.

    Since then it’s had two wardrobe changes,  not including this one, and a new paint job. I give it another light coat of spray paint each summer to freshen it up.

    Maybe some day I’ll get a new set, but when it still looks this good, why bother?

    The before was really just so sad…downright embarrassing:

    And the deck…gross! Not to worry though, I spent the past  three days out there. A little demo and lots of elbow grease and it’s looking so much better. How does it end up like this??

    UPDATE: You can see the deck now!

    Ok so here we go!

    Sewing Patterns For Outdoor Furniture Cushions

    No sew patio cushion covers you por recover patio furniture cushion learn how to easily your diy how to make outdoor cushions pottery barn no sew patio cushion covers you how to recover your outdoor cushions quick easy jennifer maker.

    How to no sew pillows and cushions you chair cushion tutorial sewing projects diy outdoor seat cushion covers sologastosol craft sewing pattern outdoor furniture cushions wicker no sew project how to recover your outdoor cushions using fabric craft sewing pattern outdoor furniture cushions wicker.

    Freshen Up Your Patio Furniture With Diy Outdoor Pillow Covers

    I love the outdoors! One of my favorite summer pastimes is sitting on our deck with a cold drink and enjoying the warm summer breeze. This week, I’m making some DIY Outdoor Pillow Covers to freshen up our space.

    Much of our outdoor furniture is dated and old, so I’m updating it one project at a time. We purchased our patio set from a big box store many years ago. I never liked the cushions that came with the set, but the price was right!

    There are three reasons I decided to cover the pillows instead of buying new ones. First, outdoor pillows and cushions are really expensive and I have a lot of them! Second, I can’t ever seem to find the colors and patterns I’m looking for. And third, the ones we have are still in decent shape.

    Here is how they look now.

    This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. See my full disclosure statement .

    How Do I Repair The Tear In My Patio Furniture Cushion Covers

    Related Articles

    The cushion covers on patio furniture are prone to tearing over time, especially along seams. Repair tears yourself by sewing them closed by hand, or by using iron-on patches or a specialty fabric glue. Store them during the winter months to prevent further damage unless you live in a mild climate.

    Supplies And Materials To Sew Cushion Covers

    The actual supplies may vary depending on the finished look you’re trying to achieve.

    The following list will give you a good idea of what you’ll need to make your own cushion covers.

    Note: You may be able to salvage some of the supplies from your existing cushions.

    • outdoor fabric
    • 20:37 – Attach Welting

    The video demonstrations end after the welting demonstration.

    Good news! This blog post contains all of the information shared in the above video as well as all the steps not shown.

    So, keep reading!

    How To Make A No Sew Chair Cushion Cover

    • Pin

    Update and transform worn out seating or a porch swing by making a colorful no sew cushion for it that can be made in minutes.

    I like to make all the seating in my house comfy and pretty. To do this I have made no sew slipcovers for chairs and a no sew cover for a piano bench.  When getting my deck ready for the warm months I brought out the deck swing and noticed it needed some love in the way of a new coat of paint and a pretty cushion cover.

    The biggest reason this project is complete in a timely manner is because friends are coming to stay with us for a few days.  This was the motivating factor in my sudden burst of energy to give this swing that hangs from the pergola on our deck a makeover.  I don’t think  there is anything more motivating to get DIY projects done than having guests to your home whether it be for over night or a party.

    This swing is very comfortable, but I wanted to add a colorful cushion to it, not only for comfort, but to add a pop of color as well.  I love the upholstered look of cushions, but also love instant gratification and being able to easily make something with fabric without sewing a stitch.

    Before Photo Of Patio Furniture With Outdoor Seating

    Sew Patio Chair Cushion Covers

    We got our teak furniture second hand for only $150 on Craiglist a few years back. Since then, it’s been sitting under our covered patio pretty much still as ugly as we got it. We started refinishing the teak patio set last year, but never got around to finishing it.

    Finally, with the kids now aged, we’ve been able to make time for a little home remodeling and making over. The first place we wanted to start this year was with our patio deck by refreshening the cushions.

    After shopping at multiple places from Walmart, Target, At Home Stores , Home Depot, and Ballard Designs, I couldn’t find replacement covers or even entire cushions for either the pattern I wanted or the price I wanted. At the low end, replacement covers with the cushions cost $25 at Walmart. At the high end, they were asking $100 per cushion. Taking them to a local upholstery shop was an estimate of $350 for 6 cushions without the fabric.

    I knew I could come up with a better way to get the look I wanted four our outdoor patio cushions without paying such a steep price.

    Easy Diy Outdoor Cushion Covers

    Need some new outdoor cushion covers but can’t find what you want for the price? DIY cushion covers are awesome because they cost a fraction of what it would to buy them, you get higher quality fabric, and can choose the colors and patterns of your choice. I never see patterns I absolutely love in stores, anyway, so I knew this was the next DIY project for me. Follow the super clear, detailed video tutorial and then reference our step by step photos to get the perfect outdoor seating- DYI style so you can really enjoy spring and summer in your backyard or on your porch. For outdoor patio seating, these cushion for your chairs will be enjoyed all summer long, even all year. Start sewing now so you can enjoy yours! Watch the video below for complete instructions.

    Places To Buy Outdoor Fabric

    and are good places to begin your search for the outdoor fabric for your cushion covers.

    Both places have thousands of fabric choices and multiple ways to filter your search.

    In addition, both sites have resources for building your knowledge base on working with outdoor fabric.

    Note: The two fabrics I finally selected came from Fabric.com.

    Step 2: Measure The Welting

    The welting is attached along seams and provides a more finished look.

    The fabric selected to cover the cord can contrast or coordinate with the main fabric.

    It seems the terms cording, piping, and welting are often used interchangeably.

    Through research for this project, I’ve drawn the following conclusions:

    • Welting is cording that is used in upholstery and similar type projects.
    • Piping is cording that is used in clothing and other garments.
    • Cording is made out of different types of materials.
    • Fabric can be used to cover the cording.

    Regardless of whether you call it cording, piping, or welting, do you want it on your new cushion covers?

    If so, measure the length of the existing welting.

    If there isn’t any, measure the length/perimeter of all the places you want to put it.

    These measurements will be used so you know how much cording you will need to have as well as plan for the fabric you’ll need to cover it.

    How To Sew A Box Cushion

    Posted on Published:

    Categories Sewing Projects

    Need to make a box cushion? This straightforward tutorial shows you exactly how to sew a box cushion, even if you’re a sewing beginner!

    I knew from the moment I started making my recycling bin/bench combo that I was going to want a burgundy cushion to sit on the bench portion.

    I figured I would have to make it- I doubted I would be lucky enough for burgundy cushions to just happen to come in the exact random bench size I needed. 

    So, when it came time to make the cushion, I made my way over to Joann’s in search of a cushion-like object to act as the filling. I thought it would be white. I thought it would have some sort of a fabric exterior, and would magically be the size I needed. 

    Turns out, such an object does not exist, and I left Joann’s ten minutes later with the realization I was going to have to do a bit more research if I wanted a functional cushion.

    Clearly, I had no idea how to make a cushion at the beginning of this project. I also have barely mediocre sewing skills. Like, I can thread the machine, but then I’m pretty much running on luck. So if you have any sewing skill whatsoever, you can probably manage this project. It’s that easy.

    Note: This blog contains affiliate links. If you click and make a purchase, I may receive compensation



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