How to Sew Cushions for Outdoor Furniture
Give your outdoor living space a makeover with furniture cushions you can make yourself. If you can sew a straight seam, you can make your outdoor furniture more comfortable. Select materials rated for outdoor use, such as mildew-resistant foam, batting and fabric. You can find outdoor upholstery materials at your local fabric store or from online retailers.
Things You'll Need
- Measuring tape
- Marker
- 2-inch thick outdoor foam
- Electric knife
- Scissors
- Outdoor batting
- Spray adhesive
- Outdoor fabric
- Straight pins
- Sewing machine and iron
- Self-adhesive Velcro
Instructions
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1
Measure the dimensions of your outdoor furniture seating. Draw an outline of the seating onto the outdoor upholstery foam. Cut the outline from the foam with an electric knife.
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2
Cut a section of batting to fit around the foam cutout. Cut the batting two inches wider than the face of the foam so it will cover the sides. Place the batting face-up on a flat surface and spray the side facing you with adhesive. Place the foam on top of the batting so that one edge of the foam is one inch from the end of the edge of the batting. Wrap the batting around the foam so that the ends of the batting meet along the edge of foam. Trim away any excess batting.
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3
Cut a section of upholster fabric to fit around the batting-wrapped foam. The easiest way to measure the fabric is to roll out a large, flat section and place the foam in one corner, two inches from both edges. Fold the fabric up over the foam until the uncut edge of the fabric meets the cut edge at the front. This is your cut line for the length of the fabric. Measure two inches away from the side of the foam to get your cut line for the width. When the fabric is folded over the foam, you will have two extra inches, which you will use to make your seams.
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4
Fold the cut section of fabric in half, face-to-face. Pin the fabric together along the two sides that are opposite each other, one inch from the edge. Sew a seam along each of the pinned edges. Remove the pins as you go.
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5
Fold each edge of the open side of your fabric back one inch. Pin them separately and sew a seam on each section, removing the pins as you go. This is the opening for your cushion and will allow you to remove the cover from the foam and wash as needed.
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6
Iron the last two seams you created flat. Iron the first two seams you created open so that the sides of your cushion will be smooth.
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7
Attach a strip of self-adhesive Velcro across the length of each of the opening seams.
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8
Reverse the fabric cover and insert the foam. Seal the cushion closed with the Velcro.
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