The easy way to update your outdoor area with DIY Cushions...using a Potato!

I have an area in my back yard that I have converted into a sun room, with doors that pull right back and let the breeze in.

It is an outside room to soak up the sunshine, read, have a drink with a platter of nibbles and to just relax.

No TV, no iPad...just music and nature!

This is a great place to switch off and just 'be'...

Well, just 'being' needs to have comfort,
and after moving two comfy couches into the sun room...it needed some 'jazzing' up!

You know...when you add all the bits to give it a little lift ....

and that meant some cushions!

DIY Cushions...using a Potato!

Before...

Being a Sunday, I was not in the mood to tackle the shops, so I went to my
DIY Craft Storage Stand
and had a look to see if I could rummage up something to add a little sparkle and comfort to the outdoor room.

It is always good to keep (or some people say 'hoard' ) bits and pieces because you never know when they could come in handy or even how you could transform them into something new.

I found some linen material, some silver fabric paint and some old cushions (that had outdated covers, that I quickly removed and gave the inserts a quick wash)

and ta da!...I was ready to add some colour and comfort.

I had recently seen some pillows in a up-market shop, that were gorgeous with spots...but they were $50.00 each and when getting a few that was a lot of money to spend on cushions.

(This is me taking a sneaky photo through the shop's front window 😉

So I attempted to re-create these 'spotty' cushions myself...with a little help of a Potato!
Yes...a Potato!

I decided not to overdo the spots, so I only made two cushions on each of the couches with the spotty print and then have one with a pop of colour and one with a texture.

How to make DIY Cushions...using a Potato!

and how to make a DIY Envelope Cushion!

Step one ...

TO PRINT ON THE MATERIAL!

This was fun and easy to do!

Step 1.

Firstly cut a length of material that is about 2 cm wider than the cushion (wide) and 2 ½ times longer than the cushion. You should have one rectangular piece.

I didn't even measure mine...I simply laid the pillow on top at one end and eye-balled it so I had enough material to make the seams on the sides

and long enough to wrap around the pillow on both sides and a little extra.

To make the easiest cushion covers...'Envelope Covers' are the way to go !!

(...no need for pesky zippers!)

(For how to...See photos below)

Step 2.

Then using some fabric paint, I poured some onto an old ice cream lid and cut my potato in two. (I washed and dried the potato to get rid of the starch).

Step 3.

Then simply dipping the cut part of the potato into the paint and pressing it onto the material, I started with the spotty design.

The whole part about using the potato was the rustic look...not perfect circles.

I wanted the paint to be a little uneven in each spot.

Do remember to place something under the material, so the paint doesn't go onto your table or counter.

Step 4.

Then...I had fun printing spots, over and over!

(I let the spotty paint dry in the sun before I started to sew the pillows...

I know, I know, wish it would dry quicker!)

Step 2...

SEWING THE ENVELOPE CUSHIONS

You can use a sewing machine..or it can be hand-stitched.

Now while the spotty material was drying, I went ahead and sewed the other cushions.

1. Firstly on the two short ends, I ironed and hemmed the edges. These are the edges that become the folds, so I made sure they would look good with a nice hem.

2. Then fold your material over the cushion, so that you have one side with a long fold and a shorter one. Make sure they overlap so that when the fluffy cushion is inside, it won't burst open....(I learnt that one the hard way 😉

3. Pin where the edges are and take out the cushion and sew down both sides. Make sure you do this on the reverse side of the material.

4. Turn the cover inside out ...and voila!...you have a cover just waiting for the cushion to be inserted.

You would think this is really easy to explain ;-/

...but I have added some photos to help you with this.

Oh!....so comfy and no-one will ever know that they were made with a Potato!

(...our little secret...right?)

Yes, I can wash the covers too, as they are easy to remove and I used fabric paint.

So, as I sit in my sun room...totally relaxed and comfy,

I just may be enjoying a slice or two of Rocky Road!

Ah! ...happiness!

Do you have a special spot where you can relax and unwind?

Comments

Sophia

February 25, 2015 at 11:01 pm

Oh my goodness, this is SO cute!!
Sophia
someplaceinthemidst.blogspot.com

Liz Gaxiola

February 26, 2015 at 7:37 pm

Hahahahaha, I love it.
lacasitaesquina.blogspot.com

Jenna Brussee

February 26, 2015 at 9:04 pm

Who knew you could make this with a potato? So cool! I am always looking for some ways to DIY throw pillows because they are so expensive to buy! This one is going on my list. Thanks for sharing it with Hump Day Happenings.

Rachel @ Rae Loves

February 27, 2015 at 2:45 pm

I actually have some really plain pillows that match my couch and don't stand out, this would be a great way to liven them up. Thank you!

Leslie

February 27, 2015 at 8:46 pm

Super cute! I always have potato's at home. I'm loving these cute & simple idea's for little pops of color.

Brittany Bush

February 27, 2015 at 10:01 pm

This is so creative and it turned out really cute! Thanks for joining the #HomeMattersParty - we hope to see you again next week 🙂

Kyla @ HouseOfHipsters

February 28, 2015 at 5:56 pm

What a great project! I'd love for you to share it at Found & Foraged on http://houseofhipsters.com/ I host every Saturday night at 8PM CST.

Angela Neese Rathbun

March 05, 2015 at 8:05 am

What a fun and high end look you created! I love it! Thanks for linking up at The Creative Circle! I hope you'll join us for the party again this week!

Kathy Baugher

March 05, 2015 at 8:36 am

The turned out beautiful!

Kyla @HouseOfHipsters

March 05, 2015 at 10:28 pm

SO GOOD! Love it! Thanks so much for sharing on Found & Foraged.

heather gilmour

March 06, 2015 at 12:08 pm

So cute pillows! I was totally forgot about the technique with the potato. We used to make potato stamps in school, cutted potato in to halves and craved different shapes - hearts, leaves and so on.

Domestic cleaners Chelsea