Make Do and Mend - Garden Bench Cushion - Tutorial

As you know from one of my early posts at the beginning of the year about new year resolutions, one of which included landscaping the garden.  I have not blogged as much as I would like on this resolution (or baking, that is not going very well at all).  The garden has been hard work nevertheless it is beginning to pay off.  Sadly most of our efforts have been dampened by the terrible wet weather we have had this summer.  I am determined for our garden to be an all year round pleasure, so will continue our projects.  I posted a make do and mend - a garden bench a while ago, so I suppose you could call this a follow-up.

When I first painted the bench I left it in its original home, under a beautiful silver birch.  I loved how the branches created the perfect dapple shade for what is a very sunny spot.  Unfortunately this silver birch is also home to some of our pesty pigeons!  So the bench very quickly became covered in poo AGAIN!!!

So I have now found a new home for the bench, against the outhouse.  The only problem I had with it's new home is the classic cream against white.  The bench no longer stands out, like it did before in front of the wonderful flint wall.

So with a big annual family BBQ coming up this Sunday, I was under pressure to pretty up the garden, the garden bench seemed like the best place to start.  

I managed to get some beautiful pink and green floral fabric from The Fabric Shop in Worthing for just £6.99 a metre.

Here is the step by step tutorial - Make Do and Mend - Garden Bench Cushion

You will need:

Fabric of choice

Foam cut to size of bench (I always get mine from here although this time I thrifted some off M&D)

Buttons 

Scissors 

Thread 

Pins

Tape Measure

Step 1

Measure the foam length and width, add an inch to each (for seam allowance) also add the depth of the foam, mine was 1 inch, so I added another 2 inches to width and length.  I also added another 2 inches to the length (optional).  See step 8.

Step 2

Fold the fabric in half right sides together, cut out desired length and width.

Step 3

Pin the two pieces of fabric right sides together all the way round, leaving a good opening on the length (to insert the foam later)

Step 4

Sew all pinned fabric on the machine, leaving the opening.

Step 5 (optional)

Zig zag stitch all the way round to ensure minimal fraying  

Step 6

Turn right-side out, poke corners

Step 7

Insert foam, then pin the opening and secure with a slip stitch.

Step 8 (optional)

Where I added an extra 2 inches to the length at each end of the newly covered cushion I had an inch of residue fabric at each end to which I added a random selection buttons.

Congratulations your Garden Bench Cushion is Complete!

I have tried to make this tutorial as easy to follow as possible, however, the creative possibilities for decorating and making your garden bench cushion are endless.  I even added a back for the bench with ties.  

Nice to see you again.

Xxx

Jubilee Jars - Tutorial

Just in case you are not already in a state of panic preparing last minute decorations for your street party or BBQ, then here is a very simple 5 minute Jubilee tutorial just in time for the celebrations this weekend.

You will need:

A variety of glass jars (different sizes)

A selection of scrap material (Jubilee colours)

Additional accessories (ribbons, trimmings, buttons etc)

Strong adhesive or glue gun

Pinking shears or scissors

 Step 1:
Cut strips of fabric with pinking shears, long enough to wrap around your jar and high enough to cover the main body.

Step 2:

Glue one end of the fabric to the jar, continue to glue as you pull the fabric tight to the jar. Seal until all the fabric is attached.  Leave to dry.

Step 3:
Decorate with trimmings of your choice.  I used garden yarn, buttons and ribbons.

Congratulations - Your Jubilee Jars are complete!

Additional Tips

*Add tea lights for a party that lasts all night long*

 *Or use them to display your cutlery*

Yes this tutorial is really as easy as it looks!

Nice to see you again.
Xxx

Mend and Make Do - A Garden Bench

I have been sooooo busy in the garden over the last couple of weeks (thank goodness for sunshine).  As a result I have so many things to show you.

As with most of the projects in the garden I continue to mend and make do where possible. Money does not grow on trees!  We were given this solid wood bench for Christmas by my dear M & D.  It was originally stained quite dark, until the winter weather took its toll and not to mention those pesty pigeons!

So with my giant pot of classic cream I was off!  And here it is, my brand spanking new garden bench.

Now it is time to go fabric shopping for cushions!

Slightly concerned about my obsession with painting everything in the garden cream, hey ho, garden shed next!

Nice to see you again.

Xxx

Thrifty Tutorial - Patchwork Cushion

It has been a while since I have had the sewing machine out.  Many of my creative projects have been put on hold while the pennies are stretched with a variety of other extra curricular activities (including a sneaky little girlie trip to Espana next weekend!)  This is why I love this simple project so much, it didn't cost me a penny, as I based the creation around various bits and bobs I already have in my S&B room.

You will need:
Cushion inner 17" (or size to suit)
25 Patchwork squares 4"x 4"
Cotton thread
19" x 19" fabric (for the back)
Rotary cutter and board (or scissors and tape measure)

Thrifty Tip
Some of the patchwork squares used to be clothing of mine!  So before you throw out, think patchwork.

Step 1. 
Cut out the 4" x 4" squares from a variety of scrap fabrics
Lay out to your personal preference 5sq x 5sq

Step 2. 
Take 5 squares from the top row
Sew two squares together (wrong sides facing)
Then add the third, forth and fifth until row is complete
Press the seam allowance out flat

Step 3.
Repeat step 2 until all five rows complete
Then sew (wrong sides together) top row to second row and so on
Until whole square complete

Step 4.
Lay (wrong sides together) the backing fabric and completed patchwork front
Pin
Sew all round the square, leaving an opening at the back (big enough to fit the cushion in (approximately 3 squares)

This cushion is for a rocking chair in Little Miss P's room so I needed the back to be smaller in width so  sewed across each corner.

Step 5.
Turn the cushion cover right side out, poke all four corners
Insert cushion
Then pin and then slip stitch to close and finish

Congratulations - Your Patchwork Cushion is Complete!

Nice to see you again.
Xxx.