Last week I was finally able to get my Patio Geranium painting mounted into the salvaged wood frame I found and hung on a brick wall of my patio.
The painting is quite striking, and easily viewed from inside the house as well. To celebrate this event, I thought I would make new cushions for the patio’s chairs. I had been thinking about doing this for years now, ever since one cushion was destroyed by a squirrel, which must have thought it would make good nesting material. The current crop of squirrels seems uninterested in chewing up cushions, so the time was right to undertake this project.
Here’s the outdoor fabric I purchased at Hobby Lobby.
It seems very nice indeed.
To begin work, I disassembled the remaining cushion to use the fabric pieces as patterns and to re-use the padding and cording in the replacement cushion.
Several frustrating hours later, I did manage to sew up one cushion. The fabric was terrible to work with- shredding and fraying at the slightest provocation.
So – while I did make an acceptable cushion, I can state unequivocally that the process was NOT FUN!!! At least it seems to be functional.
……..and the color is nice.
It could be a while before I attempt the other cushion, since I will need to cut some foam rubber to shape into a matching cushion pad.
I’m pretty sure that this task will also be NOT FUN.
If any kind reader has sewn anything using outdoor fabric, I would be grateful for any advice you would be willing to share.
Daily Fiber 
I think the quality of the fabric could be in question. Sunbrella is the name (I think) of the fabric best suited for outdoor furniture. I haven’t sewn with it, but you may need a needle that has a specific point, such as a denim or leather needle to perforate the fabric between the threads, and one heavy enough, such as a 90/14. If the fabric has coating, it could also build up in the machine and / or needle. Using tape might help.
Here is an article from Sunbrella which might help: https://www.sunbrella.com/blog/how-to-sew-with-sunbrella-fabric
Joann carries Sunbrella in my area, so perhaps find a scrap and try it out? Good luck!
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Thanks for the tips. I do have the correct needle. I like the idea of using tape.
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Working with fabric that frays easily is so frustrating. And you even sewed piping! Wow, that must have been tricky. Great job under difficult circumstances.
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Thank you. It frayed on the cut edges.
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That is a beautiful painting, and the cushions will go with it really well!!
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Thanks,
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Well the challenge was worth it, the picture and cushion look great together. Have you put some silica crystals in the frame to keep humidity out? I’m wondering how it won’t go crinkly.
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I am not concerned about weathering because I don’t intend this painting to last for long. It’s painted on cotton canvas and stapled to the frame. There is no glass in front of it. When it fades I’ll take it down and paint something else.
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Ah I see, that sounds perfect then.
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Well, it looks great. And the painting is stunning! I’ve not sewn with outdoor fabric. I tend to use cotton canvas for things like that. Does it have a coating on it?
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I think so. The main problem for sewing is the loose weave, and the fact that it is synthetic fabric. I chose badly.
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