Making Your Own Patio Cushions
Cushions can give your porch or patio some color as well as making the chairs more comfortable. The trick is to use fabric and filling meant for outdoor use, which will help the cushions resist moisture and mold. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Fabric made for outdoor use
- Foam or fiberfill
- Sewing machine
- Tape measure
- Thread
- Scissors
- Newspaper or other large paper
Instructions
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Pick a color scheme. Start with colors that are already present, such as the color of the house, shutters or any furniture that is on the patio. If the shutters are a bright color, you might want to match that with your cushions. Or if the house and patio are painted in neutral colors, then the cushions can provide a splash of color. You might want to pick a fabric that has several colors in it, or use different solid colors on various cushions.
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Decide how many cushions to make and what size. Measure your chairs, if you are making cushions that will fit specific chairs. Cushions can be just for the seat of the chairs, or they can cover the seat and the back. You can also create extra throw cushions for a porch swing or bench.
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Make a pattern or patterns. You only need one pattern for each type of cushion, even if you are making more than one of that type. Each piece of the pattern should be the size and shape of one surface of one cushion, plus an extra half-inch on each side to allow for the seams. Cut the pattern pieces out of old newspaper or any kind of large paper you can find.
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Cut your fabric and foam filling. Cut out the fabric for as many cushions you want to make. Cut out foam the size of the finished cushion.
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Sew the cushion covers on three sides. Sew with the fabric placed with the right sides together, so you are sewing on the wrong side. Sew 1/2 inch in from the cut edge. Leave the fourth side open so you can stuff the cushion.
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Turn the cushions right-side-out and fill. You can fill them with foam cushion material, especially if it's a seat cushion, or you can fill with polyester fiberfill.
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Sew the last side by hand. This keeps the seam looking neat and tidy, since you'll be working from the right side of the cushion.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit two seats image by timur1970 from Fotolia.com
