From Simply Pillows

Used by permission of Sunset Books Inc.

Due to scanning and computer monitor differences the images in the book itself are much clearer. This is a edited text version of this fine Sunset book. (Click on BOOKS in the NAV bar)

How to make a cushion for a wicker chair

To determine the cushion shapes, lay pieces of muslin over the seat and back of the chair. Trace the outline of each shape: you'll have to trim and slash the muslin over each arm in order to get it to lie smoothly.

Remove the muslin from the chair. Fold each piece in half lengthwise. True up the shapes. Cut out each shape on the final outline.

Make a cushion for a wicker chair

Determine the thickness of the seat cushion and trim this amount from the bottom of the back muslin. Place each muslin shape on 2" thick foam, draw around it, and cut out the foam.

To make the pattern for the cushion forms, center the foam for each cushion on a piece of muslin. Draw around it. Remove the foam. Divide the desired cushion thickness by 2. Draw another line parallel to and this distance outside the first for the seam line. Draw a third line 1/2" outside the second for the cutting line. Cut out the form patterns.

Muslin pieces
From each form pattern cut two identical muslin pieces and transfer the seamline to each. On each, sew gathering stitches along the seamline around each corner. Place one of the muslin pieces wrong side up and center the corresponding piece of foam on top of it. Adjust the gathering stitches until the seamline on the muslin is just a little larger than the perimeter of the foam. Transfer the foam to the matching piece of muslin and repeat. Repeat with the remaining foam and muslin.

Remove the foam from the muslin. Aligning the cut edges, pin and machine baste each muslin pair together on the seamline; leave an opening on the back or bottom edge. Leave the covers wrong side out and insert the foam. Fill each cover by inserting loose stuffing on both sides of the foam; pin the opening closed.

Check the fit of the seat cushion form on the chair and adjust if necessary. With the seat cushion form on the chair, check the fit of the back cushion form and adjust if necessary.

Clip the inside curves and turn the muslin covers right side out. Stuff as before. Slipstitch the openings closed.

Make seam allowance
Using the patterns made for the forms, cut out the decorative covers; be sure to include 1/2" seam allowance all around each piece. Place one piece of a decorative cover, centered over a corresponding cushion form; pin in a few places. To contour the decorative cover, pin several tucks along the seamline at each corner. Remove the cover and duplicate the tucks on the matching cover piece. Repeat with the remaining decorative cover and cushion form. Baste the tucks on each seamline.
Make welting

Make the welting (optional). With the right sides together and cut edges aligned, sew the welting around the perimeter of one piece of the seat cushion cover and one piece of the back cushion cover; join and finish the welting ends neatly.

With the right sides together and cut edges aligned, pin and sew the decorative cover pieces together in pairs along the welting seamline; use a zipper foot and leave an opening on the back or bottom edges.

How to make a slipstitch


Press the seams open. Turn the covers right side out. Insert each cushion form in the corresponding decorative cover, and slipstitch the openings closed.