By now you’ve probably seen the cozy little outdoor space that we created at our studio so we can soak up some good summertime vibes outdoors. Josh made amazing bench seating to give us a place to lounge, but it can be difficult to lounge properly on stiff wooden boards, so we decided to add some thick outdoor cushions to make our seating area more comfortable. Here’s what I did:
Supplies:
-canvas twill or outdoor fabric (I bought our stripe fabric at a local fabric store)
-outdoor cushion filling (like this)
-standard sewing machine
-zipper the width of your cushion
-fabric scissors and sewing pins
First I measured the width and depth of each seat to see how big the cushions should be. The cushion filling I bought was 4″ tall, so I knew that number would be the height of my cushion.
To figure out the fabric dimensions for the cushion panels, take the width and depth measurements and add 1″ to both numbers to allow for a 1/2″ seam allowance all around. These measurements are for the top and bottom panels of the cushion. To determine the side panel length, add the original measurements (the numbers before the additional inches for seam allowance) of all four sides of the large panel together. Add 1″ onto that big number to allow for a 1/2″ seam allowance. The height of your super-long side panel is the height of the cushion filling with 1″ added for a 1/2″ seam allowance.
Take these dimensions and cut your top and bottom panel and your long side panel accordingly.
Use fabric scissors to round the edge of your fabric corners on your two larger panels. To connect your long side panel strip and make one big continuous loop around the edge of your cushion, fold the panel in half (with the right sides facing each other), and sew 1/2″ from the edge to connect the ends. Line up the edges of your side panel loop of fabric with the edge of the top panel (with the right sides together), and pin the edge in place.
To make the corners easier to sew, add some “V”-shaped notches around each corner.
Use your machine to sew all the way around the edges with a 1/2″ seam allowance.
Pin the bottom panel to the side panel in the same manner as the top panel, and make notches on all the corners.
Before you sew all the way around the bottom panel, you’ll want to add a zipper at one of the ends so you can insert your cushion filling. Place the zipper face down onto the right side of the fabric at one of the ends of your bottom panel. Pin the zipper in place so that the zipper will be installed 1/2″ from the edge.
Watch the video below to learn how to install your zipper:
Use a zipper foot on your machine to sew the right side of the zipper in place.
Repeat the process of pinning and sewing the other side of the zipper so that you have a functional zipper installed. Now you can sew all the way around the rest of the bottom panel (starting at the end of the zipper and stopping when you reach the beginning of it). Make sure to leave your zipper open a few inches before you sew all the way around so you can get back in later! Flip your cushion cover right side out, and you’re ready to add the filling!
Use a ruler and a marker to measure the appropriate width of your cushion filling.* If you aren’t able to buy a cushion long enough that’s in one piece, you just use as many pieces as needed to fill the cushion length.
*NOTE: I would highly suggest making the width and length of the insert a little bigger than your actual cover dimensions (maybe add an inch to both). This way the insert will fit snugly into the cover and you will have a full-looking cushion.
Now, I’ve heard that some people use jigsaws or even electric turkey carving knives to cut foam and filling, but the thing that worked the best for me was actually a plain old handsaw. Weird, right? The saw was able to do most of the cutting pretty easily, but I did use some fabric scissors to clean up the edge a bit. Once my filling was cut to size, we folded the filling in half like a taco shell and inserted it into the cushion cover through the zipper opening. Use your waterproof spray to seal your fabric, and you’re done!
Throw in some outdoor pillows and a few concrete planters and your space is ready to go! Having these cushions on the outdoor benches makes the space look much more finished and one million times more comfortable. Once you get this cushion-making technique down you’ll be not only able to update your outdoor space, but you can also apply the principles to making cushions for lots of other seating options as well. Happy sewing! xo. Laura
Credits // Author: Laura Gummerman. Photography: Laura Gummerman and Sarah Rhodes. Photos edited with Stella of the Signature Collection.
49 Comments
Out of curiosity, how long does it take you to make one cushion? I love how they’re homemade. My sewing machine has been abandoned for far too long!
http://cindismusings.blogspot.co.uk/
I always have trouble with corners so I think this will help! Love the stripey fabric – especially against the pattern and plain cushions.
So cute! Perfect for my patio seats!
You are sooo crafty!
Come by soon!
xx
This will come in handy very soon! I’ll be making my patio furniture soon and nay good tutorial helps.
You guys are so talented – I would be way too intimidated to take this on myself! It looks great though – loving the stripes! Xo, S
THANK YOU:)
http://prettypiecesshop.com/
Love this DIY..result is cozy & comfy!
xo
Love this! I always have fun with ABM posts bc I always try to guess who’s writing the article simply by the tone of writing, photos of hands, and post content. I guessed this one right! (I usually get it right :o) Creepy? I think not ;o)
Do you also happen to put anything under the cement pots to protect the wood?
thanks for the idea!
Nice colors for summer!
Cozy and beautiful!! Great tutorial!
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful! These outdoor posts are really making me hate the fact that I live in an apartment with no yard but maybe it will inspire me to do something fresh with my front porch like I did a couple of years ago. It’s time for a makeover 🙂
Sincerely,
Laurali Star
http://www.thesecretsurprisinista.com
Very nice! The benches and chairs are usually there a lot longer than the cushions. Great project!
Great idea!
http://balkanstylebym.blogspot.com/
beautiful photos and these turned out amazing. I’m going to try making yellow + gray mix and match pillows for my patio set! I think they’ll look fab!
Beautiful!
http://imyownmuse.blogspot.com/
this is so perfect because my husband & I just bought an old outdoor couch that needs new waterproof cushions. hellooo perfect timing. thanks girls!
Love this! Love the bright colors and fun patterns you chose! So darn cute!
http://sometimesgracefully.com
these turned out great!
xxoo,
nikki
http://www.dream-in-neon.com
This looks amazing! Love this DIY.
http://www.mystylediary.eu/
This turned out fantastically! Absolutely adore the cushions and this entire space!
xoxo
Taylor
I love making my own pillows! It’s more fun when they’re customizable, plus it’s also fun to make! 🙂
http://everydayingrace.blogspot.ca/
These look so amazing!! I am so gonna try to make them. I am a little bit clumsy but you guys made it seem so easy so I think I will be able to recreate them :p
Lovely post!
xx Sofie
http://sealoffashionsofie.weebly.com/my-blog
I love this! Thanks!
So helpful! I’m about to make pillows to match a picnic blanket to sit on and this is perfect.
You guys can literally make anything, wow! I love love love this <3
xx,
Mona
http://somethinghere-somethingthere.blogspot.com
What waterproof spray? You mention it only as a last step. I generally find Scotchgard somewhat unpleasant to touch – do you have an alternative, or how did you use Scotchgard, or how is this supposed to work? It looks interesting, and the general info on making cushions is appreciated, but I’m uncertain about the waterproof part.
This is an awesome project. My husband was after these just recently. I had no clue how to make these. No I know. Thanks guys!
Glad to see you used gray and white striped fabric for your cushions! I’m so into these colors for summa time right now! Looks uh-mazing 😉
It probably took about 3-4 hours to make one cushion, but they are really big, so smaller cushions wouldn’t take as long (and you get faster on any other ones you make)…
Laura
We don’t have anything under there at the moment, but we aren’t too worried about the wood getting wet since it’s already an outdoor space 🙂
Laura
The spray I linked isn’t Scotchgard and I don’t notice an unpleasant feel after I sprayed it. Give it a try!
Laura 🙂
Oh my goodness. Do you think you could make these without a sewing machine? I’ve been looking for the perfect cushions for my flat for aaaages.
xx
http://www.annadorabel.com/
These came out awesome! Would totally have you sent you some outdoor fabric for this project 🙂
Where are the wall planters from?
The cushions look great! I don’t know if I missed this anywhere but is there a tutorial on the benches themselves?
Hi Dija! Not yet, but stay tuned for a blog post 🙂 – Jacki
This outdoor space looks amazing 🙂
http://champagnelifestyleteabudget.blogspot.co.uk/
You guys must be mind readers… I’ve just been planning out cushions for my outdoor area to start making in spring (it’s winter here in Aust atm) 🙂
Hi, the cushion looks great! I was wondering if you used waterproof or outdoor foam, or just regular foam for the insert. I can’t get over how much more expensive the outdoor foam is… If I use outdoor fabric, can I get away with using regular upholstery foam?
Great post! Is that a red patio heater or little grill in the corner? Where did you get it? Thanks!
This post is awesome. It gives me an idea on how to make a diy cushion. Moreover pacific outdoor fabrics is at good choice such as the color which is a good combination. It complements well which makes the place comfortable to stay with.
What a lovely seating area you have created! ? The colours of the pillows similar to what I have made. And that brings me to my question, where did you get the amazing carpet? I have been looking for one with all these colours and have yet to find one. I realize this posting is a couple of yrs old, but a carpet like that could till be out there for me, lol!
Keep up the good work girls!
Thanks for the tutorial!
Is the foam you linked to pretty firm? I would be using these cushions on top of pallets and I’m afraid if the foam is too soft it’ll compress too much and you’ll be able to feel the boards.
Another alternative for a kids’s bed room is bunk beds or a raised bed on stilts.
Rather the mattress rests directly on top of two adjacent bases making the
entire bed system much more compact and neat.
Many many thanks for this step by step guide. I used to couch basketball to my neighboring kids in the afternoon. So, their parents come to my backyard where the basketball court is located. I was searching for a budget solution to make a comfortable bench for those guests and I’ve found your tips which is very easy to follow. Moreover, your images makes the process 100% clear. Thanks again!
Great information! This is really a nice idea and I am curious to be a part if it.
My cushions are old but in good shape. The most at risk is the foam. We live in a very dry climate and the lining has basically disintegrated. What fabric can I use to cover the foam that will withstand the heat/dry climate, dry quickly and retain the life of the foam?
Looks great! Where did you get the foam?
Thank you!
Melissa