I’ve been enjoying the springtime weather, which has motivated me to fix up the yard and patio areas. I was noticing my old cushions on my wicker chairs were looking worn. The inside foam was in good shape, so I thought I’d recycle and slipcover the old cushions. I had a couple yards of white cotton canvas fabric. So I decided to paint some simple stripes, dots and use the damask pillow I stenciled at Christmas.
The new cushions dress up the chairs nicely and, if not left in the sun, the cushions last 2-3 years. I leave mine out year round.
To paint fabric for cushions and pillows, you’ll need…
* Cotton fabric, white canvas is good
* Acrylic craft paint, your color choice
* Textile medium, optional
* Blue painters tape or masking tape
* Foam brush
* Round foam stencil brush to stamp dots
* Sewing machine
Lay your fabric out on a some heavy paper or cardboard to absorb paint.
For stripes, tape off the width you want with the tape, press down well. My stripes were 2 1/2 “. Use the paint out of the bottle, (thin a little with water). Or add some “textile medium” to the paint to keep the paint from becoming too stiff when dry. Use a foam brush to paint between the taped stripes. Let dry.
For dots, use the round foam stencil brush. Dip the brush in the paint lightly, and stamp on fabric (practice a little first). Reload each dot. Measure between dots if you want it more uniform. Let dry.
You also can stencil the fabric with your choice of stencils. Mine was a damask pattern.
Next, cut out the painted fabric to fit the foam cushions. Add 1/2″ for seam allowance. Sew wrong sides together, leave an opening in the back to slip foam into. Turn to right side, stuff in foam, and stitch the opening closed.
Yes, you could go out and buy all the fabric, but I like to use what I have and reuse and recycle when I can. Besides, it’s lots of fun to do, very inexpensive, and you get exactly the pattern you want.
Have you done any good refurbishing, recycling or renovating projects? We would love to hear about them.
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1. Cathy, I just thought I was creative. You take the cake! That’s quite a transformation, and it looks so professional. Heck, you ARE professional, what am I talking about. LOL Just wondering where you found your stencils. Can you get similar ones at a craft store? One thing I noticed is how your porch (or deck) decor coordinates so beautifully with your house colors (shutters, etc). The exterior of my house is drab compared to yours. Mine is tan with brown shutters. I have rockers right now, but may get wicker at some point. But, for now, could you advise me as to what colors I should use for a well-coordinated outside space. That is, colors for rocker cushions, plants, accessories. I’m thinking that I can’t continue my black and white color scheme on the porch (because of the tan and brown exterior) — but what other options do I have? Thanks!
by Janice — 4/10/08 at 12:51 pm #
2. Janice, with brown/tan, what about turquoise? or orange?:Go for the tropical look with palm fonds, palm plants. Wicker would look great, perhaps even in brown to coordinate with your house. Go for broke on accent colors, the bright colors of the Caribbean. I think you have great color choices with brown and tan, but I would stay away from blk/wht. They are really non-colors. I’m not a decorator, but I think you have great possibilities with what you indicate you already have going for you.
by Kathy — 4/10/08 at 4:44 pm #
3. Hi Cathy,
I have a black and white tea party to do in May and I am having a tough time finding black and white fabric that I like . You just saved me with your paint idea . Whre did you find your stencil with the damask design?It is perfect for designing a black and white table runners for the tea tables. Your work is so professional and very creative. The chairs look beautiful and brand new!
Andrea
by andrea — 4/10/08 at 5:42 pm #
4. Thanks so much Janice,
It was quite easy to do. I had all of the supplies to make the cushions so I didn’t have to go buy a thing. My kind of project!
The stencil I used for the pillow in the picture was one I bought at Micheals I believe. I don’t have the name. It was a long 7X18, lt.pink color.
Jan Dresler sticks in my mind??? Another great book I use is “The Stencil Book” by Louise Drayton and Jane Thomson. It has over 30 classic design stencils. I ‘ve used them alot. Check craft stores first or online for a BIG selection.
I think you need a litlle more color with all your browns on the exterior. Some great colors with the browns are the blues/turquoise, green, use the apple or lime green you like. Maybe paint your rockers (if they’re not antiques), a blue or green. Find or paint a nice wide stripe for the cushions. That will update them. Look at Ballard Design outdoor living. They have some great stripes. Look at Capri stripe or Limelight stripe.
Something like that or design your own. Add in more color with flowers in the pinks and coral. Add an outdoor area rug in those colors. A painted table in the same stripes. A small water fountain. I’ve heard that HomeGoods will be getting in lots of outdoor living furnishings and accessories. Don’t overdo though. Keep it simple but colorful. Treat it as as an outside room. Let us know what you do.
by Cathy — 4/10/08 at 10:19 pm #
5. Those are great ideas, Cathy. And, no my rockers aren’t antique. I was surprised that you mentioned blues/turquoise, etc. Just recently I found some beautiful fabric on clearance, in this exact colors. It’s a print, though, with frogs, turtles, and fish. At the time, I was thinking it might make nice pillows for the porch furniture, since we live on the river. Perhaps I could find some solid pillows or striped ones in those colors to coordinate. And, I will definitely check out Ballar Designs and HomeGoods.
by Janice — 4/11/08 at 10:15 am #
6. Kathy, thank you for joining in. I absolutely love the tropical look. In fact, some parts of my house can be considered tropical (or exotic). For instance, the zebra rug in the living room, and other little touches throughout my home. In addition, we live on the river, the perfect setting for such a decor. I can absolutely see turquoise and orange working with the exterior of my home, especially with the dark wicker, which I plan to purchase. Do you want to hear something really funny? For my birthday, I received a turquoise Anarondack (sp??) chair and matching table, for my back deck. And, I hadn’t thought of it until now, but it looks smashing next to my tan walls and brown shutters. I have a lot of black, white and red going on inside my home, and thought that I must continue this outside — but I couldn’t see it working, as in Cathy’s case. Evidently, you love (or have) a tropical look in your home. Please tell us more. Thanks again for your great advice.
by Janice — 4/11/08 at 12:51 pm #
7. Hi Kathy,
Those were great ideas for Janice. The tropical colors would look great with her brown house color. Does anyone else have any ideas?
by Cathy — 4/11/08 at 12:55 pm #
8. Hello Andrea,
Thank you so much. This idea would be great for your tea party..easy and inexpensive to do. I wrote about the stencils in a previous post. Go up to #4, to Janice and the information is there. Not only could you stencil the table runners, but the napkins and invitations as well. Another idea, shake fine powdered dark chocolate over the damask stencil on a white frosted cake or cupcakes Remove the stencil to see the damask design.
Your Tea party sounds like it will be a hit!! Let us know what you do.
by Cathy — 4/11/08 at 1:15 pm #
9. Hi there Janice,
The frog, turtle, and fish fabric in the blues would look so great in your river setting. You could mix in a stripe and solid as well if you wanted.
Let us know what you decide. After all we’re decorating this house together you know. LOL.
Take Care.
by Cathy — 4/11/08 at 1:28 pm #
10. It’s really pretty fabric, and I was drawn to it because of the “watery shades” of blue and green in it. Could it be mixed with some of the tropical colors Kathy told us about — the turquoise, bright oranges, etc., to achieve a Carribean look on the porch? I do like the idea of using dark-colored wicker, maybe a chair or two and a side table. My porch is large enough to accomodate that. As I said, our little home is in a rustic setting — many trees and, of course, the river in the backyard. Being tan with brown shutters, it blends in with the surroundings so I know I need something on the porch — and back deck — to give it some life. I’m glad you said, “We’re decorating this house together,” because I could never do it myself. LOL I need all the help I can get. Again, many thanks!
by Janice — 4/11/08 at 4:25 pm #
11. Cathy: Loved your ideas about painting the fabric for the chair cushions. Do you have any ideas on how to revitalized outdoor umbrellas? The fabric on my umbrellas has faded terribly, it was a burnt orange. The hardware and pulleys are in great shape so if I could salvage the umbrellas, I would be thrilled. Any advice you may give would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
by Joyce Lepley — 4/14/08 at 10:38 am #
12. Janice,
The print fabric sounds good. Just be careful of too small a print on an outdoor fabric. It will get lost in NATURE, it may blend in and dull out. That’s why large bright stripes, solids and big florals are used alot for outdoor use. They stand out and draw your eye to them. I think anything with the bright colors, blues, greens, oranges, corals will be a nice accent to your house color and beautiful outdoor surroundings. Yes, you could use a dark colored wicker and add furnishings that would compliment your space. Flowers in pots are always good to add to the color scheme as well.
Enjoy the process and keep us posted.
by Cathy — 4/14/08 at 12:27 pm #
13. I was lucky to find some nice pillows this weekend. I picked up a couple of solid turquoise ones and one with a white background and large stripes in turquoise, fuscia, lime green and lemon yellow. There was some nice oranges ones in the store (solid color) but since the striped pillow didn’t have orange, I refrained from getting them. But, they were so delicious looking!
by Janice — 4/14/08 at 1:16 pm #
14. Hello Joyce,
Thank you so much. I think your umbrella can be “recovered”, (for lack of a better word) without any problems.
Call a couple of furniture upholstery shops to see if they can redo it for you with an “element resistant fabric”, like Sunbrella. If they can’t, ask if they know who would recover it. Maybe an awning shop could help or a boat cover and upholstery shop. Or, call a shop that sells patio furniture and ask them…afew ideas for you…one should pan out for you.
Good luck and thanks for recycling the old one.
by Cathy — 4/14/08 at 6:12 pm #
15. Good going Janice!
They sound delicious looking! Your patio and porch will be soooo YUMMY! It’s coming together nicely! What’s next on your list?
by Cathy — 4/14/08 at 6:17 pm #
16. Cathy, my head is spinning with ideas. I start thinking about another project before I finish the first one. While we’re on the subject of color, just wondered if you could “paint a mental picture” of a bedroom, using turquoise and lime green, with a white coverlet. As you know, I’m not doing those colors inside (not now anyway!! LOL) but, just for fun, would love to hear how you’ would create a tropical oasis with this color combination. By the way, when I say turquoise and lime, I mean sheets, pillows, accessories, art, etc. — not wall color. This seems to be a popular color in stores and, as I said, I’d just like to hear your ideas. I’m sure others would too.
by Janice — 4/15/08 at 2:27 pm #
17. Hello Janice,
Tell me how YOU would decorate the space first, with those colors. You have a good decorating eye. I want to hear your ideas. Then I’ll throw out a few…
Are there any other bloggers out there that would like to jump in and design /describe the bedroom that Janice is asking about, using turquoise and lime green? I’m passing -the -buck to all you talented people.
Any ideas for the above comment from Janice???
by Cathy — 4/16/08 at 10:47 pm #
18. I would use a lime green fitted sheet with a turquoise top sheet (or the other way around). Of course, the white coverlet would be pulled back to reveal the sheets — you know, a layered look. I would have 4 sleeping pillows on the bed with 2 of them in lime and 2 of them in turquoise. I would use 2 square, striped throw pillows next on top of the sleeping pillows and then a solid pillow in another color found in the striped fabric (maybe hot pink or orange) with maybe some decorative fringe that matched lime curtain panels. I would find a large print for the wall– a water scene, with various shades of blues, greens, and turquoise (white background). Would also be nice to find one that had a touch of orange in it, too, so it would relate to the orange pillow. What would you change about this “mental picture?”
by Janice — 4/17/08 at 10:48 am #
19. This sounds great Janice,
You’ve thought things through well. I wouldn’t change a thing because its your vision of the room. What’s great about “visions” and “mental pictures” is, you can rethink and change anything, anytime, and it doesn’t cost a thing. Keep dreaming and designing. It’s called the “creative process”. You can escape anytime to any place you can envision. Then, you can make it all come to life…or leave it as a dream.
by Cathy — 5/5/08 at 3:08 pm #
20. Cathy, I don’t know if this is the appropriate spot to post this, but here I am anyway. Do you remember I was having a problem figuring out what type furniture I wanted for the porch — wicker, etc.? In addition, I didn’t know what colors to use for cushions or pillows. My dear sweet aunt gave me her set of quality rattan furniture that she had on her screened-in porch because she got a new set. I couldn’t believe she gave it to me because she paid a small fortune for it when new. It is in excellent condition, but the zip-off cushions are in a blue/green tropical print with touches of pink (maybe it’s coral). I’m not sure I’m happy with those colors. Since the exterior of my home is beige with brown shutters, would these colors work — or should I consider covering the cushions in another print? Or, is there a way I could add a punch of color with some solid colored throw pillows to give the set a more updated look? As I said, everything is in perfect condition. Although the print is somewhat tropical, there’s just something about the fabric that reminds me of the dusty blue and mauve colors that were so popular several years ago. What would you do? My husband said I shouldn’t look a gift horse in the mouth! LOL
by Janice — 6/19/08 at 4:32 pm #
21. Hi Janice,
You lucked out getting all those nice rattan pieces of furniture. What a great gift! You said the cushions look a little dated. A few thing you could do…
Leave as is, and have that “almost retro” feel on the porch. Add a few retro accessories and you might be able to carry that off.( if you can stand the fabric that’s on it). Or maybe add some solid pillows in one of the more current colors in the print, to update it a little.
Or, since you sew, you could recover everything in cabana stripes, solids or geometrics (or combinations). Most colors would work with your neutral beighs and brown house colors. Corals, aquas. greens would contrast well.
Look online or in catalogs at what’s new and interesting in outdoor living furnishings and cushions to give you some inspiration.
You have some great pieces there to work with,( envious! ) ..it could look great!
Let me know what you might want to do.
by Cathy — 6/20/08 at 1:09 pm #
22. Thanks for your prompt response. I’m thinking I will leave the cushions as they are and try to add a few solid pillows that will compliment the fabric. The original fabric is in great shape — but a little dated, as you said. The funny thing about this is, the very day my aunt offered this to me, I was going out to purchase a new set I’d seen in a local store. The set I wanted was in a dark brown wicker, one of the new materials so popular now that isn’t affected by sun, rain, etc. The cushions on it were a beautiful rust (orangey) paisley print and I could see it working beautifully on my porch. Although I’m so grateful for the set my aunt gave me, I still have a lingering desire for the set I had originally intended to buy. Could you be happy with a perfectly good set of rattan that was given to you, especially knowing you could change the pillows or cushions to any fabric you desired? Don’t know why I’m feeling this way because the set given to me was (is) a much more expensive set of porch furniture. I think it’s the cushion fabric that bothers me. Sounds stupid, I know. My husband says I just wanted to spend some money! LOL
by Janice — 6/20/08 at 2:16 pm #
23. Hi Janice,
Enjoy those pieces your aunt gave you. You can always change the fabric down the road. Look at all the money you saved! Money you can do other decorating projects with or change the cushions with. I love “hand -me- down” furnishings. It’s like a free treasure that you want to fit in somewhere. Maybe it’s not exactly what you’d pick out, but somehow it grows on you and is special because it was in the family.
Give it a chance. You’ll be happy you did.
by Cathy — 6/23/08 at 10:53 pm #
24. Cathy, you have so much wisdom!! I went back to the home store and ALMOST bought the porch set I’d been wanting — but something wouldn’t let me. I’m so glad now that I didn’t. I had some pretty tropical sheets and pillow cases packed away, and last night I got them out and wrapped them around the cushions of the set my aunt gave me, just to see how a different fabric would look. Of course, I wouldn’t use sheets to cover the cushions, but I just wanted to see the effect a different fabric would create. And, you know what — I loved it! It’s the outdated fabric that has been bugging me — not the style or color of the set. And, I know it’s a much better quality than the one I had wanted from the home store. You were so right, when you said I should give it a chance. I’m happy that I did. Now, that brings me to the question — what color fabric do you suggest that I look for to recover the cushions? As you know, my exterior is dull — beige with brown shutters.
by Janice — 6/24/08 at 10:39 am #
25. Hey Janice,
No, not too much wisdom… maybe wise in hoping something will work first, before buying more (cheap LOL). I think you just need to change the fabric and be done with it. Then you’ll feel like it’s new to you and it’s what you like.
The fabric colors could go many ways. I think a brighter color(s) would work well with your beigh and brown house. Punch up the neutral a little…corals, turquoise, blue, greens. Maybe add an outdoor area rug to arrange the furniture on or around. Design it like an indoor room. Focal point might be the view (river), a firepit or place, a garden, swimming pool etc.
Keep me posted on the results. It should look great.
by Cathy — 6/24/08 at 4:05 pm #
26. Sounds like a plan, Cathy. Would you make all the cushions a solid color — like turquoise or maybe coral, and then accent with various throw pillows which have these same colors in the print? Or,would you do it the other way around — use a printed fabric for the cushions, and then accent with solid color throw pillows? Just wanted to make sure I knew what to look for.
by Janice — 6/24/08 at 5:10 pm #
27. Hi Janice,
You can mix and match any way you like. Personally, I like the main cushions to be a solid or large stripe in a brighter color. Then, from a distance, the color catches your eye and is not lost in the intricacies of the furniture, as a print might be. You can always add some print fabrics for pillows. Also, it updates the pieces a little more I think.
Just my opinion. You do what you like. I’m sure it will look great. Let me know what you find.
by Cathy — 6/25/08 at 10:55 pm #
28. I get the picture now, Cathy. Thanks for your help!!
by Janice — 6/27/08 at 12:29 pm #
29. Your welcome Janice,…anytime!
by Cathy — 6/28/08 at 5:21 pm #
30. Cathy, this is a little bit off topic, but just wanted to let you know I found the perfect glass-topped coffee table. It’s very similar to yours — rectangular in shapre with a black iron base. I’m amazed at how much larger the room looks and, in addition, it showcases my zebra rug perfectly. Did you have yours before you decided on your black, white and red color scheme, or was it purchased afterward? In other words, were you purposely looking for something with a black metal base to compliment your color scheme? I suppose a glass-topped coffee table goes with any decor, right?
by Janice — 6/30/08 at 2:57 pm #
31. Hi Janice,
I’m happy you found your coffee table. It sounds perfect. Yes, it will open up the area and show off your zebra rug nicely. Less visual weight as well. I bet it looks great. I got my coffee table from my Mother-in law a few years ago. We were down-sizing them from a home to an apartment and many things had to go. So, I’ve always liked the table, so it, and many other things, were given to me. It didn’t look like this when I got it. It had a white iron base to it and I painted it black. It’s a nice Ethan Allen piece, good quality.
Isn’t it great we all get these great pieces from family. They also have a lot of wonderful memories attached when we get them.
Enjoy that new table. Your room is coming together nicely. Did you hang the bird prints yet?
by Cathy — 7/1/08 at 12:16 pm #
32. Your home is so well put together, and that’s the reason I was wondering if you had “a plan” from the very beginning, or if you just used what you had or inherited. I’ll bet your mother-in-law didn’t know her table would turn into such a wonderful piece! I’d be afraid that she’d want it back. LOL As for the bird prints, I’ve selected the ones I want to use, but that’s about as far as it has gone. We’ve had three auctions (last three weekends) plus my regular job, so it’s been difficult to find time for decorating. However, I plan to go on vacation in a few weeks and some of that time will be spent finishing the bird project. Some of the time will also be spent helping my neighbor decide how to paint and decorate their bedroom. Don’t know why they think I’d be any help! LOL Seriously, they live on the river too and their little place is decorated in a lodge/fishing cabin style. The previous owners had painted both the wainscoting and the walls above it white (so unappropriate!) In the room, there is a rustic pine bed and an old pie safe used as a bookcase and to hold CDs, etc. Not much furniture besides that — just a small chest and end table — and also an adorable sampler that says “Heaven seems a little closer in a house beside the water.” Anyway, my neighbor wants ideas for the wall color — what color to paint the wainscoting and the area above. She uses a solid tan bedspread and sometimes a qullt appliqued with fish, a cabin, etc., in colors of hunter, navy, and burgundy. It’s usually on a quilt rack, though. Do you have any advice as far as paint colors — or decorating ideas — I could share with her? I know she’d be grateful. Heck, I’d be grateful!
by Janice — 7/1/08 at 1:07 pm #
33. Hi Janice,
Thanks again for your nice comments. It sounds like you’ve been busy.
Vacation coming soon! Yeah!
Your neighbors bedroom sounds nice with its fishing lodge cabin style.
I ‘m sure you would do a wonderful job of helping her decorate it. You’re very creative and she came to you for help. It sounds like fun!
A few ideas from this end…
* Stay with a tan color for the walls, paint a shade or two darker below the wainscoting on the same color chip. Then add some colorful (hunter, navy, burgundy) plaid drapery panels to the windows. Hang them from a heavy tree branch, fishing pole, or boat oar, and a few pillows in the same fabric for the bed. Maybe a rag rug or braided rug on the floor. Maybe weathered burgundy adirondack or twig chair with the plaid cushions. Maybe some (faux) antler sconces on either side of a “log” framed mirror. In other words, keep the background fairly neutral and let all the great furnishings and accessories speak.
* OR…paint one of the darker colors (hunter, navy, or burgundy) on the wainscoting and a neutral (tan) above if she wants more color.
* OR… Wallpaper above the wainscoting in a horizontal “Log” paneling paper or a grove of birch trees and paint below a color that blends with the paper. Then you will have to keep the furnishings and accessories simplier because of all the pattern on the wall.
Also paint the ceiling a little more beigh or light tan color (go to the top of the paint chip you use and use one of those first two colors.).
There are many ways you can go. Discuss it with her and find out how “cabiny” she wants to go. Let me know what you both decide. I’m sure it will turn out great with you helping her. What a fun project to work on! Enjoy!
by Cathy — 7/2/08 at 12:55 pm #
34. Oh, those are great ideas, Cathy. My neighbor will “flip” over them! In fact, we had discussed the possibility of painting the wainscoting in hunter green, and tan above it. But, we couldn’t decide which should go where — the hunter on top and the tan below — or the tan on top and the hunter below. I told her I thought hunter might be too “top heavy” to use above. And, that’s a super idea about using boat oars, fishing pole, etc. for the drapery rods. I’ve seen that done before but had forgotten about it. Can you think of any neat ideas for the kitchen and other areas? All the walls in the rest of the house (other than the bedroom we’re working on) are a color called artichoke leaf, which tends to be more of a mossy green than sage, but it’s a beautiful, restful color. Floors throughout are an oatmeal-colored berber. She has a lodge-looking shower curtain in the only small bath. It has a green background with pictures of moose, fish, canoes, etc. They like the outdoors and their home is filled with “nature things” — dog prints, fish prints, etc. The couch in their small living room is tan and there is a big oak rocker in the corner, and some other non-descript furniture. There is no real dining furniture in the little eat-in kitchen so they’re searching for the perfect table and chairs. The other bedroom has a black iron antique bed with a “swirly pattern” on the headboard and footboat. So, it’s a very masculine home — so different than my own. But, they have the same problem I have when it comes to flow. The space is small, and almost every room (except the bath) opens into the other. So, I’m thinking they should stick to a tan and green color scheme throughout. Thanks again for helping me to help them.
by Janice — 7/2/08 at 3:15 pm #
35. Glad I could help a little Janice.
Yes, I agree to keep the color scheme flowing thoughout the small spaces. Just use them in different amounts to keep it interesting…one room may have more green than tan, and another more tan than green etc.
Her house sounds so cute. Have fun with the cabin style, just don’t overdo a good thing. Would a small wood picnic table and benches work in her kitchen? Kinda cute and fun. Distress it or crackle it with paint. If she ever wanted to replace the carpet, she could put in distressed pine or oak floors.
You guys will have great fun decorating it! Let me know what you do.
by Cathy — 7/3/08 at 11:56 am #
36. Has anyone painted a big outside umbrealla with acrylic paints?
Hugs and Smiles, Barbra
by Barbra — 9/17/08 at 8:19 am #
37. Hi Barbra,
Good question! If your umbrella is made out of canvas, that’s what artists have used forever to paint on, soooo, this is a guess, you might be able to paint it with thined outdoor latex/acrylic house paint. It would hold up well in the sun, but you may not be able to close it up. I would use a spray gun to apply it on top and underneith. Maybe paint it close to the color it was. Thin the paint quite a bit so it doesn’t become too stiff, or add a “fabric medium” to the paint to keep the dried fabric softer more supple. Ask a good paint store what they would suggest as well.
Try some samples on canvas first.
Good luck and let me know if this worked for you.
by Cathy — 9/17/08 at 11:18 am #