No hand stitching to make a patio cushion back

Here are the instructions for another cushion to go with the ones from earlier this week.

I didn’t put the cording on this pillow, but of course you can add it if you wish. Just follow the cording instructions for Outdoor Cushions #1, Wednesday post, and #2, Thursday post.

I chose this block for cushion #3.

For this 18″ outdoor cushion you’ll need:

Green stripe

• 1 – 9½” x 15½” and 1 – 6½” x 6½”

Black

• 1 – 3½” x 3½” and 1 – 6½” x 12½” for the cushion front

• 1 – 18½” x 18½” for the cushion back  NOTE: There’s another method for making the cushion back at the end of this post. Check it out before you cut this 18½” square.

Green solid

• 2 – 3½” x 12½”

18″ pillow form

1 spool of Coats & Clark outdoor thread in the color of your choice.

Using Coats & Clark outdoor thread, sew the pieces together to make an 18½” square. Finger-press seams open. You may press seams open with an iron if you wish. Be sure to test the setting on your iron on a fabric scrap to make sure it is not too hot.

Follow the instructions for cushion #1 to trim the corners. Sew the front and back together, leaving an opening to insert the pillow form. Insert the pillow form and adjust it as necessary for a good fit. Hand-stitch the opening closed.

If you don’t want to hand-stitch the opening closed, here’s another way to make the cushion back.

From backing fabric, cut 2 pieces 18½” x 13½”. Trim 2 of the corners so they match the ones on the cushion front.

Fold back 1″ on each of the long straight sides to make a hem. Stitch in place.

Place the 2 pieces of cushion-back fabric on top of the pieced front, right sides together, matching the shaped corners. The 2 back pieces will overlap. Pin in place.

Using a ⅜” seam, sew the back to the cushion front. Turn right sides out.

Insert the pillow form through the opening. Adjust as necessary for a good fit.

Whichever finishing method you use, I’m sure you’ll be making more of these cushions to use in your outdoor spaces, now that summer is here.

You might even want to make some smaller outdoor accessories with your leftover fabric – placemats, coasters, table runners – the possibilities are endless! You could probably use the outdoor fabric without a backing because of its heavier weight. Just serge or overcast the raw edges.

Here are my 3 cushions all ready to be used on the patio.

I hope you’ll enjoy using some outdoor fabric along with the new Coats and Clark outdoor thread!