Making Waterproof Garden Cushions..Has Anyone Done This/

Lizbetty

Hi everyone!

I'm not sure if this is the right place to put this - I considered it might be as I'm hoping to use stuffing material I have already got in, and I'm sewing the cushions myself

DH has made some decking garden benches and I wanted to make some cushions for them. One of them I'm hoping to make comfortable enough to lay on, as it's quite wide. I'm not sure about the fabric (or the filling really!). It needs to be waterproof and I guess mouldproof, as we don't have much storage space at all.

I'm not really sure how to go about it. I've never made a cushion either! I have a sewing machine and managed a curtain and sock monkeys mind you, so I'm raring to try it!

We're on a tight budget..and we're moving house as well! It might seem crackers to do it when we're moving, but I figured it would look great on the pics (we're re-taking the garden pics as the agent took them in January when everything was looking grim outside), and if the market is stagnant, it gives us somewhere nice to sit while we're waiting for it to sell!

I did think about oilcloth but figured I might need something more breathable.

I'm just not too sure how to get started. I know that you all have fab ideas. All advice welcomed!

TIA
Luce x

Ilona

Ask around and see if you can find any gazebo side curtains. A lot of people bought gazebo's and the frames had a tendency to buckle in the wind. They are shower proof, but you wouldn't want to leave a cushion out in the pouring rain anyway.

Another idea is you can pick shower curtains up pretty cheap, and in some nice colours. What about buying a cheap blow up airbed, would that do the job?
Ilona

Owain_Moneysaver

waterproof cushions would be a bit sweaty to lie on.

As well as waterproof fabric you would need to waterproof the seams where the stitching goes through. on waterproof jackets etc this is done with a heat sealed tape inside the seam.

Lizbetty

Do you know, I was doing starjumps about the shower curtain idea and then my husband mentioned the sweaty aspect.

We do have a cheap gazebo that a neighbour gave us before they moved, I'll have a look at that, thanks!

I'm wondering whether to just use a waterproof lining (do you know, I might get extra large bin bags like we did for the dog bed when she was in season!) and use a washable cotton, maybe canvas for over the top. I did wonder about getting a cheap king sized quilt (we probably have one stored in the loft) and folding it and using that for innards. He says it won't be thick enough though!

Thanks for the advice so far btw! :beer:

empressemma

There are a few fabric companies around (casamance springs to mind) that do breathable waterproof fabrics, but they are quite pricey.

Try and find a local foam shop for your 'innards' its normally very reasonable, there's a few online ones too, just put your sizes and they price it up there and then.

I know there's a guy on stamford market (not sure where you are) who makes the cushions with waterproof fabric, he has 'standard' sizes on his stall, but will make up too. My mum bought some and they're fab.

missimaxo

Could I be dead cheeky and ask if you have a picture of the benches? I have just pulled up our old decking, we are making planters out of some of it but will have a fair quantity left over and they sound like a great idea but I'm struggling to picture them.

Cheers

pollys

I once read about someone using old carrier bags as stuffing for outdoor cushions. Sorry cant remember what they used for the outside - some charity shop material eg old curtains?

pollys

ubamother

I think the problem may be the holes made in the waterproof material by the sewing machine - while droplets of water might not get through, general dampness would.

gibson123

You may need to rethink, you will be using the cushions on days when it is hot and sunny mostly and anything waterproof is going to stick to your bare thighs (icky) buy some pretty upholstery fabric that is easy to wash or something else that is easy to dry if it gets caught in the rain, and plan to have the cushions indoors in the airing cupboard when not in use.

of course not all shower curtains are plastic and some of the better ones look and feel like material. here is a good tutorial, you will find many others on-line. Perhaps we'll see in on the sewing annex.

http://thecsiproject.com/2011/07/27/piped-bench-cushionpretty-handy-girl/

Seakay

Shower curtain fabric ( the washable ones not the really plasticy ones) will protect against damp. but if you really want to leave your cushions out in the rain then the best thing would probably be to get furniture covers for the garden furniture because even uncomfortable sweaty plastic material isn't going to make a totally waterproof cushion.

daisyroger

No, I haven't done this ever. But I googled it and found and nothing found their. I found just a mixed up tips that are not helpful. I will ask some of my friends who are expert in craft work then I let you know.
Sorry