Making a cubed cushion for poolside decor using Coats Outdoor Thread

Yesterday we covered important tips on how to work with Coats Outdoor Thread. Outdoor thread is thicker and heavier than all-purpose thread. It does require some adjustments to your sewing machine.

Today, we’re making the last of poolside cushion decor for the week, a cube designed by Karen Schaphors that is fun and easy to sew for your outdoor living space. It also makes a great floor cushion and room accent.

Select outdoor fabrics that are designed to resist sunlight fading and are stain resistant. Some have special antimicrobial properties and resist mold and mildew. Along with outdoor fabric, we recommend Coats & Clark Outdoor Living Thread. This thread is 100% multi-filament polyester and is designed to resist UV rays and moisture. It’s durable and long lasting, guaranteed to prolong the life of any outdoor sewing project.

The cube is a versatile decor accent for indoors and out. Use Coats Outdoor Thread if making it for your patio space.

200yd spool of Coats Outdoor Thread in bright orange

finished measurement 20″ cube

materials

Fabric
outdoor fabric two coordinating prints:
1¼ yd for sides
½ yd for top and bottom

Notions
Coats & Clark Outdoor Living Thread.
Poly-Fil® Bean Bag Filler (100% Polystyrene beads) two 2½ lbs bags
Polyester Fiber Fil stuffing

Other
fabric scissors
point turner
sewing pins
hand sewing needle
sewing machine

Cutting
Cut four 21” squares for the sides
Cut two 21” squares for top and bottom

Sewing
Note: use ½ seam allowances throughout.

Assemble the cube
1. Beginning with the side sections, pin three sides together in a row. Stitch ½” from the beginning edge and stopping ½” from the end, making sure to backstitch. This will allow you to make neat corners.

TIP To make neat square corners, do not stitch all the way to the edge of the fabric. Be sure to start and stop stitching ½″ from all edges.

2. Pin top sections to the middle side sections, stitch to create a cross shape. Pin the remaining side section to the lower top section. Stitch.

Top and middle side sections stitched to create a cross shape.

Making the Cube

1. Fold the cross in half at the center square on the diagonal, right sides together. Pin.

Folding the cross in half at the center square to make the cube

2. Stitch sides ½” from the ends. Backstitch to secure.

3. Repeat for remaining side edges until you have a square/cube with an open top.

4. With right sides together, stitch from the corners out on the remaining section leaving a 6” opening for stuffing.

5. Turn cube to right side. Using a point turner, poke out the corners.

6. Insert pellets into cube. Be sure to cut a small opening in the pellet bag and creating a funnel at the cube opening, carefully and slowly pour pellets.

7. Add polyester fiber-fill to pellets. Pack the fiberfill with your hand. Shape the cube until it’s fully expanded. Stuff to desired firmness.

8. Turn in seam allowance of opening; hand- stitch closed.

finishing

Create a decorative running stitch at the upper edge of the cube. This simple single stitch is done by taking the needle in and then out of the fabric. Pin half along the top and sides at the seam line. Using a hand sewing needle and outdoor thread, use a running stitch ½” along the upper edges of the cube.

We had fun all week preparing for summer weather. It’s more pleasant to plan ahead, enjoy the adventure of sewing and creating for hot summer fun!