We have two round seat cushions that go on the wrought iron chairs that Gus just repainted. (You can read about that here, if you haven't already!) I bought them almost 6 years ago when we moved into this house. They served their purpose, and they still basically look okay, but it's time for a change.
I decided I would try to make my own covers, and add some ties to secure them to the chairs. The cushions we have don't have ties, so every time there is a strong wind, I have to go round up the pillows from the other side of the porch or the yard.
What you'll need:
- round pillows or pillow forms
- measuring tape
- fabric
- Sharpie
- Fiskars pinking shears or sewing scissors
- straight pins
- thread to match fabric or Stitch Witchery
- buttons
- Iron-on VELCRO
Here are photos of each step, and then below those are the corresponding instructions:
- Measure the diameter of the pillows.
- Since my pillows would be outside, I chose an outdoor fabric.
- Draw two circles onto the fabric (two for each pillow), making the diameter 2" larger than the original pillow(s), then cut them out. (I used pinking shears to reduce fraying)
- Place right sides together and stitch, using a 1" seam allowance, and leaving an opening large enough to insert the pillow and stitch the ties in place. (I left about an 8" opening.)
- Working with the opening, pin the fabric back 1" on both sides, to equal the seam allowance
- Now press that "seam" on both sides.
- If you want to use Stitch Witchery to hold the seam allowance along the opening in place, you can - but I didn't.
- To make the ties, cut 4 strips per pillow, (I used pinking shears) measuring 2" wide X 16" long.
- On one of the short ends of each strip, fold back 1/2" and press with iron.
- Working with one strip at a time, fold over 1/4" along each long side and press with iron.
- Now fold each strip in the middle lengthwise so that the long folded edges meet and right side of fabric is on the outside.
- Topstitch close to edge to create ties, then pin two strips side-by-side at the end of the cover opening. right next to the stitched part)
- Repeat for the other side of the pillow opening.
- Topstitch (through all layers) the ties into place.
- Repeat for other side.
- To close the opening, I applied iron-on Velcro, but you can also stitch it closed by hand.
- You can stop here if you just want a plain cover. I decided to go ahead and add some buttons to get that tufted look. If I remove the covers, I'll have to snip the threads holding the buttons, but I couldn't figure any way to achieve the tufted look without stitching through both sides of the cover.
Not bad for my first attempt! Yeah, I know I could've tried to match up the design at the seams, but honestly, that was just too much work and the cushions are on the front porch, which has a row of boxwoods in front of it, so you can't see it unless you're up close (or looking at a picture!). If you really wanted to get fancy, you could add piping along the seam.
Are you ready to give it a try? How do you cover a round pillow? I'd love to hear! Leave a comment here or send me a snap!
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