How to Cover Outdoor Cushions

Covering outdoor cushions is a necessary step to preserve their longevity. Outdoor cushions are constantly exposed to weather and require covering for protection. Additionally, outdoor cushion covers can wear away, and it may be necessary to recover them to protect your original investment. Or it may simply be time for a fresh look. Fortunately, with a little preplanning, covering outdoor cushions does not have to be difficult and it can be an inexpensive way to keep using your outdoor cushions year after year.

• 1

  Measure the outdoor cushion that you wish to cover. Measure any and all dimensions including, but not limited to, depth, height, width, any curves and locations of buttons or zippers. Write down the measurements and calculate how much fabric you will need.

• 2

  Buy fabric, thread, closures and trim (if desired) according to the measurements that you took, remembering to add 1/2 inch to all dimensions for a seam allowance. If using a patterned fabric, be sure to buy enough extra fabric to allow the patterns to match up. Look for fabric that is meant to be used outdoors, heavy duty thread and sturdy closures. Zippers are the most effective way to lock out moisture, but they're also the most difficult to attach. Velcro is another effective way to protect the cushion from the elements and is easier to attach, but be sure to invest in heavy-duty Velcro. Buttons and snaps are other options.

• 3

  Cut out the pieces of the fabric to cover your cushion. Sew the cushion cover with the right sides together so that the seam is hidden. For a longer lasting seam, sew a French seam. This requires sewing a seam with the wrong sides together first, and then reversing the fabric so that the right sides are together and sewing just over the original seam. If done correctly, the seams will be hidden when the fabric is turned right side out. For most cushion designs, sew three sides together; on the fourth side, sew hems in the two fabric sections separately prior to adding your chosen closure method.

• 4

  Iron the seams flat, add closures on the fourth side, and add any trim that you desire. Then simply slip the outdoor cushion inside the cover.