Redo of the Deck Cushions

The mornings around here have been beautiful. I have been hanging out on the deck since I cleaned it up, made some new pillows and freshened up the accessories. If you have been one of my readers for a while you know how bitterly I have complained about our summer last year. 72 days over 100 degrees. The heat and sun reaped havoc on my outdoor cushions. I know, I know I should have pulled them out of the sun, but it was even too hot to do that. 

I came home from work one day last year and found that my hot mess of a dog sensed a weakness (in the force) and went nuts tearing up one of the cushions.

She also has an affinity for pillows.

Ai, yi, yi!

 I was able to remove the shredded cushion and turn the rest over and hide the damage for the time. 
But I have been wanting to recover them for a while. 

I went around town looking for drip dry outdoor fabric. 

I am not one that likes my upholstered pieces in anything but a neutral, so I can jazz things up with pillows and such. 
 The cost of outdoor fabric was a shocker.

 Outdoor fabric at Joann's was $24.99 a yard.

I need about 8 yards. I would be willing to do that for a fabric that I loved but I didn't see a thing. We only paid about $299.00 for the whole set three years ago. It would be very difficult to spend almost that much to refurbish this set. 

I shopped around for new cushions but they were not really 

what I needed either.

So.... I turned to my "go-to"fabric. 

Drop Cloths!!

Bill got me a gift card to Lowes for Mother's Day :)
 I only paid a dollar out of pocket to stock up on all the drop cloths I needed.

This is the brand I like:

I have used them for table cloths and pillows.

Read about a chair I slipcovered here.

 Bill bought one to lay down in the car for our dog.

They get softer with each use and washing. 

Here is my big secret for making cushions.

After sewing three sides and turning it right side out, I hot glue the fourth side closed.

It is time consuming to hand sew the openings closed and it is very hard to get the sewing machine close enough to the edge once the pillows or cushions are stuffed.

I change pillows around quite frequently because I love pillows so much!

It makes for a quick change when I tire of pillow covers.

This only took about 41/2 hours. I was having trouble with the tension on my sewing machine.

I really need a new sewing machine. Mine is about 21 years old and has issues.

The canvas is not water proof. I got the 8 ounce instead of the 10 hoping that if these get wet they won't take too long to dry in the 
hot, (very hot) Texas sun. 

Dixie Lou wouldn't get out of the picture. Picture taking is very time consuming. I was just too lazy to move her. 

.

 I found the cute lantern while rummaging through the shed. It has been around a while and had faded to pink. I taped off the glass and hit it with Rustoleum red spray paint

Loving the fire engine. It's a trash pick from the neighbor.

See the little ferry? I picked it up a few years ago at a antique shop. 

 Each of my kids has a quilt I made them. This is Chris'. His was the most intricate because he is the first born, not because I love him more. I just had more time!!. The other ones got easier quilts. 

The sailboats squares on this thing were a beast!

Put it is such a cute pattern.

We have a fairly long hot and dry season. 

I don't think this would work in a wet climate. 

Before: 

After:

This furniture is so comfy now!!

The love seat stays shaded until about noon. 

I will let you know how hot it gets out there.

Let's just hope that little miss doesn't decide to chew up more cushions.

Katie
Linking with,
Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style 
Time Travel Thursday @ The Brambleberry Cottage 
Feathered Nest Friday @ French Country Cottage 
Sat Nite Special @ Funky Junk Interiors 
White Wednesday @ Faded Charm 
Vintage Inspiration @ Common Ground