Crossing off the list: Porch Cushions

I linked up with  today for this post!

Unusual for my posts, but today I have to start with the after, because it's just so striking, and I'm so excited I can't wait.  Here it is: 

 

For comparison, here was the same sofa as we bought it, with generic beige cushions.  Only the kitties liked it. 

 

 

And again, a beautiful after:  

I just can't stop looking at it because it's so pretty!  I've had this fabric since February when I stalked it for weeks at Joann's.  They were moving down the street, and everything was being discounted.  I fell in love with this pattern of outdoor fabric, but the cost was very high (it's a very good quality).  So I waited and stalked, and finally the sale hit the price I needed it to be, and I grabbed all they had, and hoped it would be enough....and it was!

So why did it take me 7 months to do this?  Well, it was a little overwhelming to think about.  I had to process and plan in my head how I would do it, and the more I thought, the more overwhelmed I became.  So overwhelmed that I just put it off and did other projects.  Finally last week I pulled it all out and decided to just jump in, and that's when my machine broke.  Thanks to a handy friend I got a loaner machine and got to work.

What works for recovering cushions is to use the covering you have as a pattern.  Take it apart, and use each piece to cut your new pieces. 

Here's where we get to the question: What's the worst that can happen here?  Well, the worst is that you take apart your old cushions and can't figure out how to make the new ones, and you are left with no covers.  In this case, I was willing to take that chance since the old ones were only trash-worthy.  Something had to change, so off they came.

Here you can see the largest piece of one of the top cushions, taken apart, and being used to cut the new piece.  I studied each cushion as I took it apart to know how to put it back together. 

 

Ahhh.....first one done, and already it looks so much better, huh?

The toughest part of this job was definitely putting in the the zippers: not my favorite part of any sewing job, but definitely doable.  I'll try to post a "how to" post soon!

And just for fun, here's one more peak at the new cushions....it makes the whole chair and the whole porch look new!

So cross one project off the "to-do" list; down to 11!

1. Finish painted the basement steps
2. Finish painting the family room cubby
3. Sew curtains for family room
4. Finish cushions for porch   YES!
5. Sew fabric bought for dining room
6. Finish tile project mid-phase in garage
7. Finish garage storage project
8. Finish office shelf project
9. Finish quarter round in basement (yes, how sad is that?)
10. Build shelves in garage (wood already bought)
11. Finish back of hutch
12. house numbers

Onward to the next project!