How to Sew a Cushion Cover for Lawn Furniture
Lawn furniture cushions come in many styles and colors. A porch seat or solitary lawn chair can be dressed up in a jiffy by adding removable cushions. Make these cushions using 2-inch foam for a fraction of the cost necessary to buy cushions at stores. You can even recycle 2-inch mattress foam pads for the cushion fillers. Use colors coordinated to your decor and give your chairs a whole new look.
Things You'll Need
- Tape measure
- Pencil
- Paper for pattern
- Scissors
- Fabric or lightweight plastic-coated fabric (yardage depends on number of cushions and chair seat size)
- 2-inch thick foam (amount depends on number of cushions and chair size)
- Straight pins
- Thread
- Sewing machine
- Bias tape in contrasting or coordinating colors
Instructions
-
-
1
Measure the length and width of the chair seat, and add two inches to each measurement.
-
2
Draw (on paper) a rectangle, square or circle, depending on your chair seat shape that matches the numbers from Step 1.
-
-
3
Cut out the pattern.
-
4
Fold the fabric with right sides touching and pin the pattern to the fabric. Cut out the pieces.
-
5
Sew around the edges using a 1-inch seam allowance, leaving a 10-inch gap on any side. Turn the cover inside out.
-
6
Cut the foam to the exact measurements of the chair seat.
-
7
Fold the foam so it fits through the 10-inch gap in the cushion cover and place flat into position.
-
8
Hand sew the gap closed.
-
9
Cut two 10-inch pieces of bias tape to serve as chair ties, and fold each piece of bias tape in half.
-
10
Pin the center of the folded bias tape to a corner and sew into place.
-
11
Repeat for the other piece of bias tape on the other corner. If your cushion is circular, you will need to put your cushion on the chair to determine the best place to sew the ties.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Chair ties are optional. Fabric or same-colored large buttons can be hand sewn in four places using a strong button thread. Waterproof canvases or lightweight plastics can be used if your machine uses a thicker needle. Some plastics or flannel-backed plastics also work well for outdoor furniture. If your lawn furniture is in a covered area, waterproof fabric isn't necessary.
