Garden cushions in need of a refresh?

Get creative with these helpful tips!

Your garden furniture stands, invitingly in your garden, terrace or balcony. You think, ‘all it needs is some soft furnishings and the summer can truly start!’ Enthusiastically, you rush to take your cushions out of their winter storage spot, only to find that they’ve got all kinds of rips, tears and holes all over them. What a let-down! Or is it? This could, after all, be the perfect time to get creative with your garden and finish it off with your own personal touch.

Whether you use new or your existing cushions, it doesn’t really matter. With just a simple needle and thread, you can create your very own unique designs. The most important thing you need is a bit of courage, a touch of fantasy, and if you can get it, some good company. Perhaps you could even invite a friend to join you who is good at handicrafts and make a fun and creative day of it together.

What you need:

1. Cushion filling
2. Needle, thread and pins
3. Measuring tape
4. Outdoor fabric and scissors
5. Buttons and ribbons
6. A hard-earned break
7. Transfer paper
8. Internet connection

1. Cushion filling

If you are using the cushion for the seat or back, then go to your local market or a specialised retailer for some sponge rubber filling. Don’t forget to first make a note of the size the cushion needs to be. If you need an unusual size, you can always glue different pieces of foam together to get the exact dimensions you need.  For scatter cushions, you could buy some loose filling from a fabric store, or use an old cushion you have indoors. Of course, you could always take the easy way out and buy some ready-made covers at a home interiors store. This might make it easier for you, if you would like to be able to remove and wash your covers afterwards.

2. Needle, thread and pins

Finding it difficult to find that one specific reel of thread? At the market, in the supermarket or at a fabric store, you will find the most common sewing accessories you could need. If you’re using thicker fabrics or need to make a lot of cushions, then a sewing machine would come in very useful indeed.

3. Measuring tape

Before you begin, fold your fabric in half, lay it out on a flat, hard surface and, for simple seat or back box cushions, sit the foam filling on top. Then measure an extra few centimetres to allow for the seam and hem on all 4 sides. Of course, this amount varies depending on the thickness of your foam as the amount of fabric you use to join the seams should be that size, so for example, a 10 cm thick cushion would need an extra 6.5 cm on each side to give the cover a neat seam right across the middle.

For a scatter cushion of 45 x 45 cm, for example, you will need two squares of fabric measuring 48 x 48 cm. This way, you will have 1.5 cm extra on all sides for the seam. If you would like to add on a zipper, then you will need 3 cm on the closing edge. If you’re making a cushion cover for the first time, then first sketch out your cushion pattern on tracing paper before you start cutting, or find some ready-made patterns online for easy or more complex box cushions.

4. Outdoor fabric and scissors

Do you sometimes find it difficult to part with old, favourite clothes? Now, you won’t need to anymore! Instead, use your old jeans or shirts to make simple, but unusual cushions. Cut the legs off your old jeans and the sleeves off your old shirts. Lay the outer sides of the material together and then sew up three of the four edges. This would now be a good time to sew the zipper or buttons on the remaining edge, if you want to be able to remove the cover for washing.  Now, turn your new cushion cover inside out and put the filling in.  Then you just need to close or sew it up and, hey presto! Your new cushions are now not only truly original, but also very practical, as you can use the pockets in your new jeans or shirt cushion to hold your phone whilst you’re lounging around outside on a lazy summer’s day. You see, there really is a good reason for being thrifty!

Of course, you could always use some old curtains and sheets and perhaps, combine different pieces of fabric to create a really unique effect.

If you can still repair your old covers, buy some felt at the fabric store in a complimentary colour. The advantage of using felt is that it doesn’t unravel, so it doesn’t need a seam. Cut out some fun shapes like hearts or flowers and stitch them on to your cushion covers. Now they’ll look as good as new!

5. Buttons and ribbons

If you’ve got a small collection of spare buttons building up in a drawer somewhere, then this is a great time to put them to some good use, as they can add a remarkable element to your new or repaired cushion covers. Sew them on in fun shapes or just at random, wherever you like. What a difference a few buttons can make! You can also use pieces of ribbon or lace to give any drab cushions a quick and easy makeover.

6. A well-earned break

Remember to sit back from time to time, review your work from a distance, and enjoy a well-earned break with a large pot of refreshing tea or a cold drink. It’ll give you a chance to come up with new ideas along the way, or allow you to enjoy the final result once you have finished.

7. Transfer paper

Print your own photos or pictures on transfer paper and iron it on to your cushion cover. It’s very easy and great fun! You can get some at any department or book store. Just follow the instructions on the packet and you’ll end up with new cushions that add a truly personal touch to your garden furniture.

8. Internet connection

For the more advanced handicrafts-lovers out there, you will find countless patterns and ideas online. Of course, you could also make a pattern yourself. Draw out your favourite animal, or the shillouette of your children on pattern paper, pin it to the material and start sewing!

It’s not hard to be creative, if you just make the time for it occasionally. Most of the fabrics you could use have been lying in some cupboard for years. Go on! It’ll give you a good reason for a clear-out, plus, give both your home and your garden a makeover at the same time!

 

We are really curious to hear what you think!

Please share your thoughts or photos of your very own projects with us via our  Facebook page.

 

– Lorna –