Porch Prep Part 2 (...28)

My plan to convert my porch into an outdoor haven for the Summer has been put on the back burner due to impending kitchen renovations.  Currently the porch is in semi-decent shape.  A grill, furniture, and now some lovely growing plants are all set up nicely.  But it's uncomfortable. It's hard.  It's not a place to lounge, as I'd hoped it would be by this point.

What have I been waiting for?  Frankly, I've been waiting for my fear of French seams and box cushions to subside.  My mother sent me this video, "How to Sew a French Seam."  It helps and this looks like the way to for a durable cushion.  Unfortunately, all the box cushion instructions I've found on the web so far don't make the job clear to me.  It's making me long for help from my sewing coach, Carol, who taught a class I took last fall.  She's an expert in the traditional methods of haute couture and an interior designer.  She'd be able to make a box cushion in the time it takes me to make a really good omelet.  And, check out her very funny, very clever Etsy shop name:  hemme fatale!  I love this name.  If you knew Carol, it's even more fitting because she's armed with charm and a good sense of humor.

To deal with the fact that I have less time for sewing while I work on my kitchen and to get over my fear of the French seamed box cushion, I've broken down my project into steps.  If I can get 1 step done every other day, then I'll finish well before porch season is over.


Today I cut the cushion to the shape of the bench.

Using red builder's paper that I had for a past renovation project, I made a pattern.  I held it up to the bench and drew a rough outline of the seat.  Then I did some more concise measurements with a yard stick to make the outline neater and symmetrical, and held it up again to see if I was on target.

Next I pinned the paper to the foam.  Having so many cutting boards came in handy.  I needed to weigh down the foam so it would not roll up as I worked.

 

 I used a marker to draw an outline of my pattern.

 Next I used 2 tools to cut the foam.  One is an electric carving knife.  The other I'm not sure the name of, but it's exactly the tool the sewing store clerk used to cut the foam when I bought it.  I didn't have these on hand.  I asked a friend if he had them.  He did not.  That same day he was at a yard sale where they happened to sell both of these for about $3!  I hope this serendipitous coincidence means I am meant to make the most perfect French seamed box cushion ever!!






Finally, foam that fits my bench fantastically! 

 Maybe not fantastically...it's a little too deep.  Notice the carving knife leaves bumpy ridges, but I'm guessing that will be undetectable in in the end.

I'm not sure how much to cut off. You don't want your legs to squish it down and be on the hard metal.  But you don't want it too deep after adding batting and a cover.

 I'm going to need to trim the inside edges by half an inch.  Or an inch?  I'm going to get a second opinion (Mom?).














Now for that fear-inducing French seam...

Porch Prep and More Pillow Talk (...66)

My mission today was to revive my porch from its long cold Boston winter slumber.  This involves moving my indoor plants outside, adding a few new ones, and making the seating comfortable.

This year I have new seating!  It's a lovely long bench bought last year at the Brimfield Antiques Show.  The bench is wrought iron, six feet long, and sturdy.  The curved back caught my eye and the price was right.  I've already sanded, painted, and rust-proofed it.  Now all I need is cushions and pillows! 

I'm on the hunt for an affordable way to make this bench comfortable for summer lounging, reading, laptop lallygagging, and BBQ eating.  It's not inexpensive to buy durable off-the-shelf pillows for outdoor use.  So, finding greatly discounted pillows at an outlet store or making them myself is the goal.






Today I found these two pillows at T.J.Maxx for $12 each.  They're outdoor and large 20x20 pillows, good for my two Adirondack chairs.  But I'm not convinced I'll keep them so they're still in the bag. 

 

The bench needs a custom cushion because it's an uncommon length.  Most cushions I've found online are too short, too puffy, and toooooo pricey.  Many are $150 to $200... Sewwww, sewing the bench cushion is my next project.

Fabric.com sells discounted outdoor fabric, but still pricey at $10 a yard.  I need 4 yards, foam batting, and welting cord, so I'd like to find a better deal.  The other challenge,and  the most enjoyable, is choosing fabric.  Look at these gorgeous prints!

How to narrow the options...How to choose among these beauties...Oh yes, and how to make a cushion...I've made a purse, baby blanket, and an apron up to now, but a custom box cushion with welting, constructed to fit snugly around a foam insert?  Hopefully a future post will include a stunning "After" picture worthy of Remodelista!

Sewing! (...79)

I took a sewing class last year in order to copy my favorite cross-body summer bag.  I absolutely loved the process: creating my own pattern, cutting and prepping the fabric, and discovering tips to make it look like a pro's handiwork.  Sewing is a perfect combo of technical and creative work.  You can't not be engrossed in it and the end product is rewarding.

Tonight I'm doing a repair job on a tie, not an "O'Toole Original," just a little fix for a friend.

After making the bag in my class, I became hooked on sewing aprons.  Here are my first two, worn by my lovely models.

And just recently I made this baby blanket!  I copied the pattern from a blog my mother discovered.  It's such an easy pattern and a good gift.  So much more enjoyable than shopping for one.

The original blanket would have been 3 inches wider and longer than the finished product, but I made several mistakes and had to keep cutting off "problem areas."  As a beginner sewer I'm still learning the tricks of this craft.

I've purchased way too much fabric at this point! Since taking my class,  It's hard to resist the variety of patterns and colors!  Many, many yards of striped fabric are now tucked away in my bureau drawer, along with winter weight houndstooth patttern wool and a few solid grays and blues.  I'd been wondering when I'd ever have time to use all of it.  Watch out, Martha...I've been laid off and who knows what I'll create with all this time on my hands.