Comfy up your adirondack chair with some homemade cushions. In this article, we explain how to make simple cushions for your beloved adirondack chair using fabrics to match your decor and taste.
I absolutely love my Adirondack chairs but noticed that they were a little uncomfortable after a while. I started looking for cushions and realized that I could make them for a cheaper cost and have them reflect my style more. This is what started my journey of creating my own adirondack cushions. Not only am I going to give you a quick description of what these chairs are, but I’m going to walk you through the steps you need to take to create your very own cushions easily and with little cost.
Wait, What’s an Adirondack Chair?
Adirondacks are a typically American style chair, so if you’re visiting this website from outside the states, you could be forgiven for not knowing what we’re talking about. An Adirondack chair is an outside chair that’s made for lounging – that that one that you see to the left.
Before you start making your cushions, look at the particular shape of it:
- The arm rests are wide and the slatted back is tall.
- The seats of these chairs are positioned higher than the back part to help you sink back and be more comfortable.
These are usually made with wood, but you can now find them made from other materials, like plastic. They get their name from the area they come from: the Adirondack Mountains in New York. They were first designed in 1903 by Thomas Lee, who made them to be specifically used at his summer home.
Steps for Making Adirondack Chair Cushions
#1 Decide Your Style
The first thing you want to do is decide the style of cushions you want. Some are simple, while others have ridges up the back to give extra comfort. You could also just use a cushion for the seating area of the chair, and not for the back. Or like in the picture, just a simple one that you can tuck behind the small of your back.
Some people will choose a cushion where the top and bottom are one solid piece, while others will choose to use separate cushions. It might seem like a lot of decisions, but you’ll see that it should be pretty easy to choose the one that works best for you. If you aren’t sure what you want, you could try making a few different styles to see which you like best.
#2 Measure the Chair
Once you know the style of cushions you want to make, you’ll want to measure your chair. The reason is because not all Adirondack chairs are made the same size. This means you won’t be able to make a one-size-fits-all cushion.
In addition to measuring the seating area, you’ll also want to measure the back. Keep in mind, you’ll want the cushion to cover both areas completely because not everyone is built the same. Making sure it’s covered completely means pretty much everyone will be able to comfortably lounge in the chair.
#3 Choose Fabric & Design
After measuring the chair, you’re ready to pick out the specific design and type of fabric. Depending on how much you want to spend, you can use fabric you already have or go to a craft store and buy some. These stores usually have hundreds of choices and fabric types, so you can let your inner creativity out. Keep in mind, you’ll want to get a fabric that holds up well to the elements and isn’t easily worn down. Some great choices are cotton or polyester.
#4 Choose Filling
Next, you’ll want to choose the filling that you’ll put inside the cushion. When choosing, there are a few things to think about. First, you want to use something that’s going to keep it’s shape because there’s nothing worse than sitting on a lumpy cushion.
You also want to make sure it can dry out quickly to prevent mold and bacteria from growing. Most people will use some kind of foam. They buy a large piece, then cut it to size. You’ll be able to choose one with your preferred softness and thickness levels.
#5 Gather Other Needed Materials
Before you start cutting and sewing, you’ll want to make sure you have the rest of the materials you need. The good thing is that most people will have at least some of these in their home already. There might be a few things that you’ll need to get, but you should have the majority of the materials. These are listed below.
- Tape measure
- Scissors
- Standard thread
- Button thread
- Sewing needle
- Straight pins
- Sewing machine
- Iron
- Any embellishments you want
#6 Make Required Marks & Cut
Now that you have all of your materials ready, you’re ready to make your marks and start cutting. A good rule of thumb is to measure twice and cut once. This will help ensure that you have everything right and you aren’t cutting away more than needed.
There are 2 ways to do this. The first is by putting the cloth inside out and using a pen or marker to make your marks. The other way is to use something like chalk on the outside because it can easily be removed. Regardless of which method you use, you should be able to hide the marks quite well.
#7 Sew Everything
The next thing you’ll do is all of your sewing. Make sure you use the button thread for the straps that will secure the cushion to the chair while using the other thread to sew pieces together. You can do the smaller pieces by using the sewing needle, but you’ll want to do the larger ones with the sewing machine.
Make sure everything is secure and strong. One thing to remember is that you want to do most of the sewing while the cloth is inside out, then flip it to the right side before doing the finishing touches. Not only does this help ensure the thread will stay in place, but it will also hide it from view.
#8 Add Wanted Embellishments & Treat for Use
The final steps are adding embellishments and treat for use. Some people will add things like large buttons or clasps. To treat, find some cloth protectant that will make any water, dirt or debris slide right off. You’ll still have to wash the fabric every once in a while, but this protectant will reduce the frequency this will need to be done. As you can see, it’s actually quite easy to create your own Adirondack chair cushions.
In fact, you should be able to get them done in just a few hours. You’ll be able to bring your own style and have cushions that reflect who you are. The biggest thing is to just have fun and see where this journey takes you.
Related article: https://nestkoo.com/how-to-paint-an-adirondack-chair/
