How to Replace Husks on Chairs

Replacing cushion covers is necessary every few seasons.

Furniture husk usually describes an outdoor fabric texture. The texture of the fabric is called husk and it is popular for its rustic, yet comfortable qualities. Replacing the husk usually means a person is replacing the cushion fabric on patio furniture. Often husk is not readily available at neighborhood fabric stores and must be ordered from outdoor fabric outlets. The fabric is durable and strong, and sews much like a canvas. Wash the fabric before sewing to remove the sizing.

Things You'll Need

• Seam ripper
• Iron and board
• Husk fabric
• Pins
• Scissors
• Sewing machine

Instructions

1. Unzip the cushion. Remove the pillow form. Seam rip the cushion cover using a seam ripper. Iron the cover pieces.

2. Place your existing cover pieces over husk fabric and pin. Cut out your new cover pieces.

3. Baste a horizontal seam across your back split panel at the location of the zipper. Iron the seam flat. Place the sewn panel face down on the work table. Center the zipper face down over the seam and pin the zipper into place. Sew the zipper to the fabric using your zipper foot. Sew across the top and bottom of the zipper three times. Turn the panels over and carefully seam rip the seam over the zipper, removing all excess threads.

4. Sew the side panels together at the short ends. Place the husk fabric face sides together and sew with a 1/2-inch seam. Sew back to side, side to front, front to side and side to back to form a complete circle. Iron the seams flat.

5. Open the zipper on the back side panel. Position the side panels over the top cover panel with the right sides together. Align the corners. Pin and sew along each side with a 1/2-inch seam allowance. Clip your seam allowance corners at a 45-degree angle to remove extra fabric. Position the side panels over the bottom cover panel with the right sides together. Align the corners, pin and sew with a 1/2-inch seam allowance. Clip your corners. Turn the cover right side out.

6. Insert your pillow form and zip the cover closed. Repeat for each cushion in the set.

Tips & Warnings

• Often cushions will have welting between the side and top and bottom covers. Welting is fabric-covered cord. Tie the ends of your cord together and launder the cord inside a lingerie bag when you wash your fabric. Make welting by cutting 1 1/2-inch wide fabric strips on the 45-degree bias and wrapping the fabric over cord. Sew tight to the cord.