Make Your Own Outdoor Cushions!

Do you keep in mind the comfy out of doors house that we created at our studio years in the past?

Josh made wonderful bench seating to provide us a spot to lounge, and we determined so as to add some thick out of doors cushions to make the seating space extra comfy.

Right here’s how we made our personal out of doors cushions:

Provides:
–canvas twill or out of doors material
–out of doors cushion filling
-standard stitching machine
–zipper the width of your cushion
–material scissors and stitching pins
–waterproofing spray

First, I measured the width and depth of every seat to see how large the cushions must be. The cushion filling I purchased was 4″ tall, so I knew that quantity could be the peak of my cushion.

To determine the material dimensions for the cushion panels, take the width and depth measurements and add 1″ to each numbers to permit for a 1/2″ seam allowance throughout. These measurements are for the highest and backside panels of the cushion.

To find out the facet panel size, add the unique measurements (the numbers earlier than the extra inches for seam allowance) of all 4 sides of the big panel collectively.

Add 1″ onto that large quantity to permit for a 1/2″ seam allowance. The peak of your super-long facet panel is the peak of the cushion filling with 1″ added for a 1/2″ seam allowance. 

Take these dimensions and reduce your high and backside panel and your lengthy facet panel accordingly.

Use material scissors to spherical the sting of your material corners in your two bigger panels.

To attach your lengthy facet panel strip and make one large steady loop across the fringe of your cushion, fold the panel in half (with the correct sides dealing with one another), and stitch 1/2″ from the sting to attach the ends.

Line up the perimeters of your facet panel loop of cloth with the sting of the highest panel (with the correct sides collectively), and pin the sting in place.

To make the corners simpler to stitch, add some “V”-shaped notches round every nook.

Use your machine to stitch all the best way across the edges with a 1/2″ seam allowance. 

Pin the underside panel to the facet panel in the identical method as the highest panel, and make notches on all of the corners.

Earlier than you sew all the best way across the backside panel, you’ll need to add a zipper at one of many ends so you possibly can insert your cushion filling.

Place the zipper face down onto the correct facet of the material at one of many ends of your backside panel. Pin the zipper in place in order that the zipper might be put in 1/2″ from the sting. 

Watch the video under to learn to set up your zipper:

Use a zipper foot in your machine to stitch the correct facet of the zipper in place.

Repeat the method of pinning and stitching the opposite facet of the zipper so that you’ve a purposeful zipper put in.

Now you possibly can sew all the best way round the remainder of the underside panel (beginning on the finish of the zipper and stopping once you attain the start of it).

Make sure that to go away your zipper open just a few inches earlier than you sew all the best way round so you may get again in later! Flip your cushion cowl proper facet out, and also you’re prepared so as to add the filling!

Use a ruler and a marker to measure the suitable width of your cushion filling.* For those who aren’t in a position to purchase a cushion lengthy sufficient that’s in a single piece, you simply use as many items as wanted to fill the cushion size.

*NOTE: I’d extremely counsel making the width and size of the insert slightly greater than your precise cowl dimensions (possibly add an inch to each). This fashion, the insert will match snugly into the quilt and you should have a full-looking cushion.

Now, I’ve heard that some individuals use jigsaws and even electrical turkey carving knives to chop foam and filling, however the factor that labored the most effective for me was truly a plain handsaw. Bizarre, proper?

The noticed was in a position to do a lot of the slicing fairly simply, however I did use some material scissors to scrub up the sting a bit.

As soon as my filling was reduce to measurement, we folded the filling in half like a taco shell and inserted it into the cushion cowl via the zipper opening. Use your waterproof spray to seal your material, and also you’re accomplished!

Throw in some out of doors pillows (or you can also make your individual) just a few concrete planters, an outside rug and your house is able to go!

Having these cushions on the out of doors benches makes the house look way more completed and a million occasions extra comfy.

When you get this cushion-making method down, you’ll be not solely in a position to replace your out of doors house, however it’s also possible to apply the rules to creating cushions for many different seating choices as effectively.

Completely satisfied stitching! xo. Laura

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