Fixing Up the Porch

The lazy days of summer are just around the corner. Is your porch ready? A place to sit and a table on which to set a cool drink are the essentials. Whether you're in the market for a new ensemble of outdoor furniture or want to fix up what you have, you're sure to want to add a unique, personal touch - particularly to the cushions (especially if you don't care for the stripes and large flowers that abound!)

Selecting Fabric

Outdoor canvas, available at your local fabric store, is an obvious choice. Unfortunately, you are sometimes as limited by your choices here as you are by the original cushion fabric. Look beyond the typical and venture into the bed and bath section of your local variety store. What about those bright towels? You already know they'll be fine in the washer and dryer. Take a look at the cloth shower curtains, as well, especially since they already have holes at one end, perfect to run ribbon through to tie closed a cushion cover. Pick up an extra shower curtain to use as a table cover or to cover pillows. Spray such unconventional fabrics with a substance such as Scotch-guard if you want to encourage it to repel moisture.

Cover a Cushion
Measure your cushion, cut two fabric pieces two inches longer and wider than the cushion (add a couple of inches if the cushion is especially tall/deep), and stitch on three sides, finishing edges of open side. Slip cushion into pocket; attach ribbon ties to open edge and tie closed, catching part of the chair as you tie to secure the cushion.

Reviving Wicker
Maintain your wicker and outdoor furniture made from other materials with regular cleaning and protecting from excessive moisture. When wicker needs a face-lift, get out the spray-paint. It does wonders! Compare the photo on the left with the one at the top. A little effort goes a long way.

Food / Garden / Celebrate / Archives