If you already read Recycled, Repurposed, Reborn, and Reformed, you won’t be too surprised to learn that I also hate to RE-place torn, ripped, or worn out things.
Last week, I spent a hot day (in the upper eighties) working on a project and I’m pretty happy with the way it turned out.
In the past few years, I’ve purchased a couple of replacement cushions for the deck swing.
Southern California sun is wickedly harsh on fabric — even though I put the cushions and chairs in the shed when not in use, it weakens, tears, and eventually disintegrates completely like this:
I went to JoAnn Fabrics near 24Hour Fitness in Oceanside and was so happy to discover outdoor canvas material on sale — half off the regular price of $19.99 a yard. Yay! I needed approximately 54X70. The sales associates were very helpful and suggested I try fusible bonding web for heavy fabrics and my trusty glue gun for reinforcement areas. Anytime I can fire up that glue gun is a great day! (Also a day for an injury, more on that later.)
Beautiful bright colors!
The fusible bonding needs heat; I brought the ironing board and my Rowenta on the deck. Yes, it’s leopard covered. Of course it is.
I ironed a sharp crease on all four sides; went upstairs to my craft room and sewed a lovely seam.
Look at that old sewing machine from the 1970s.
It weighs a ton, but works like a dream.
I placed the cushion flat on the deck, spread the material over the cushion, and then turned it over.
Measuring and ironing the fusible bonding all the way around.
The webbed fusible bonding for heavy fabric worked better than I thought. This isn’t the most professional looking job, but the material is bright and fresh and way less expensive than another replacement cushion.
I used the glue gun to reinforce the corners and this blister was my reward.
My research indicated that the temperature of the glue is about 385 degrees, but I swear it felt like I had dipped my finger in the bowels of Hell.
I might go back to JoAnns and get more material to redo the awning to match. Although it’s still in good shape, now it bugs me that it doesn’t match the cushion!
Related articles
- Inexpensive Outdoor Chair Cushion (rabbitholeinteriors.com)
Enchanted Seashells by Princess Rosebud 
Great job! Isn’t it sweet to design and execute an inexpensive (and attractive) solution to a decorating problem. Hope your revitalized cushion serves you well for many years.
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Thank you! I’m a bit upset it’s not perfect but I really love the colors!
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What is this “sewing machine” of which you speak?
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You are SeW funny! It comes n very handy. I made hubs and me matching shirts, I’ll post them soon, he’s a very good sport!
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I would hem my finger.
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I’ve done that too, it hurts less than the hot glue burn.
On Sat, May 11, 2013 at 4:20 AM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
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I love Chanel too. Sometimes I’m not too keen on logos visible on products, but in some cases, depending on who wears the products ( these for example: http://www.chanel.com/fashion/8#8-ring-metal-ring-embellished-with-glass-stones-chanel-accessories-4,3,2,40) it could be incredibly suiting.
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Oh no, why did you have to go and show me things I’m going to drool over? 🙂 My birthday is coming up, hubs just got home last night, and I think I’ll have to show him that gallery of gorgeous jewelry and see what HE thinks!
On Fri, May 10, 2013 at 3:18 PM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
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Well, this necklace http://www.chanel.com/fashion/8-cuff-in-resin-embellished-with-strass-4,3,9,41#8-long-necklace-long-necklace-in-metal-and-pearls-embellished-with-a-lace-pattern-4,3,5,41 is absolutely gorgeous. I’ve always wanted a Chanel necklace. You are really tempting me!
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I like that too. It’s very cool on that pearl motif. I m sure that your husband would buy you anything in the world.
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Yup, he’s a pretty nice guy, that’s for sure. I’m going to drag him to South Coast Plaza in the OC in the next week or so and look at those treasures in person.
On Fri, May 10, 2013 at 8:12 PM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
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You betcha!
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OK, this is my favorite thing EVER. http://www.chanel.com/fashion/8-ring-metal-ring-embellished-with-glass-stones-chanel-accessories-4,3,2,40#8-bib-necklace-resin-bib-necklace-embellished-with-enamel-flowers-and-glass-pearls-4,3,1,40
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I like that too..Just wondering. What would you wear it with? It’s a bit too big for a summer dress, no?
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I think it’s a statement piece and it would work with a dress or a pair of skinny jeans or just about anything. If it’s Chanel, there is no wrong time to wear it!
On Fri, May 10, 2013 at 8:12 PM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
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It would be good to try it. Perhaps over a white t-shirt with skinny jeans would be good. I’ll look-up where the Chanel place is in London ( Regent ST?) and go see for myself at these really very sorted pieces.
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Yes! you go there and I’ll go to our Chanel and let’s see what we think when we can see and touch these treasures. We’ll see if they live up to their photos. I want pics!!!
On Sat, May 11, 2013 at 9:01 AM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
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OK, I’ll send you pics of me with this stuff on… I want pics too!!
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Of course! I love to document my forays to shopping meccas!
On Sat, May 11, 2013 at 10:14 AM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
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I mean who would wear this apart from Grace Jones? http://www.chanel.com/fashion/8-ring-metal-ring-embellished-with-glass-stones-chanel-accessories-4,3,2,40#8-cuff-in-resin-embellished-with-strass-4,3,9,41
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I can’t stop staring at that fascinating ironing board cover. It’s just so…you!
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Oh you know me too well! If there had been a Hello Kitty ironing board cover, I might have had a dilemma!
On Fri, May 10, 2013 at 6:38 PM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
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Hey that looks great. Nice deck you have there. 🙂 Happy Mother’s Day.
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I didn’t know that you knew how to SEW. Looks like you did a good job. It does look like a nice deck there and your fashionable ironing board cover. Sew have a nice Mother’s day with both of them home!
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My mom loved to sew and we worked together making lots of our own clothes, even pants with zippers, etc. I’ll take some pics of the matching shirts I made for hubs and me, I did a good job turning the collar if I do say so myself!. I had an idea for a clothing line but it never got off the ground except for the name which I own…”Elegant Dreamwear” Let me know if you want to branch out! I have the patterns, just needed to go to the LA garment district and purchase the material.
On Fri, May 10, 2013 at 9:47 PM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
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That is great that you both enjoyed sewing. Like the idea of matching shirts and bet you did a good job. That is a great name “Elegant Dreamwear”. I use to make wedding and bridesmaid dresses as a sideline in my early 20’s. Ar first I liked it but then got 2 different brides who gained a ton of weight the last month. It was alteration nightmare trying to let them out. At least signal flags don’t gain weight..lol. Will keep in mind for the future if we branch out. Right now staying busy with orders.
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I love the new look, so bright and cheery!! And I can totally relate about now having to do the canopy so it matches. One project always leads to another, and another, and another! LOL And I adore that old machine. I learned on my grandmother’s old Singer; between the two of us, it eventually wore out. I no longer have it, but I do have the custom sewing table my grandfather made for her many years ago. It is one of my cherished pieces of furniture. Can’t wait to see your next project!
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I’d love to see your sewing table–sounds awesome! Yup, hubs agreed that it needs a matching canopy so we’re going to go to the fabric store today. He’s very good at measuring and cutting. I’ll do the actual sewing but he can make it fit properly. right now he’s doing his first surf since getting back on Thursday, so he’s a happy guy.
On Sat, May 11, 2013 at 6:47 AM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
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My sewing table is going to be part of my walk-in closet, so eventually there will be pics. Actually, I could easily do a whole blog post on that table.
And in my experience, happy guys lead to happy ladies. 😉
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Looking good. Love the colours. You are so talented. Seriously. I’m debating whether or not to iron down the pockets on my army pants. Can’t bring myself to do it LOL. I love swing chairs. They are the best.
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Well, I am abnormally cheap. There’s the me that’ll save/reuse some things forever and there’s the other me who is asking for a $600 scarf SCARF! for her birthday. It’s an Hermes tho, and I’ve always wanted one, and hubs is being especially nice to me for some reason lately. 🙂
On Sat, May 11, 2013 at 9:21 AM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
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I’ll take especially nice any day. 🙂
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Me too!
On Sat, May 11, 2013 at 11:01 AM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
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What a fabulous idea and the colours are great! This just gave me some great ideas for when I start creating the outdoor seating on our porch. I love this. 🙂
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I have never used the bonding before, as a purist sewing gal, but it was impossible to sew that big seat, and this was a good alternative. Can’t wait to see your pics!
On Sat, May 11, 2013 at 9:31 AM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
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I need to dust off my sewing machine. 🙂
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And don’t forget to oil it!
On Sat, May 11, 2013 at 10:17 AM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
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Oh good point!
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I hadn’t used mine for a really long time and it wasn’t working, then hubs oiled it, and it was good as new! They love the oil!
On Sat, May 11, 2013 at 1:39 PM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
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I only used mine a few times years ago. I hope I remember how!
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It was so weird, i thought the same thing, and my mind just remembered how to thread it and everything, I was pretty amazed that I knew more than I thought i did!
On Sat, May 11, 2013 at 4:22 PM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
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:). I may actually attempt curtains. All I’ve made are little pillows!
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Curtains are fun! So many cool fabrics!
On Sat, May 11, 2013 at 5:39 PM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
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We have a dog who destroys anything fabric. Last summer I finally bit the bullet and purchased replacement cushions for the swing. It looked wonderful! Then we got the dog. We knew he had separation anxiety issues, but we didn’t realize that he would take it out on any fabric covered item he could get his big doggy paws on. Yes, the dog destroyed the cushions. There was nothing left to salvage. I love what you did for yours and I’m going to bookmark this. The only problem. of course, is that I don’t have any old cushions to cover!
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Poor doggy, it must be so difficult not to be able to communicate with humans except by chewing things up. Does he still do that or was it just at the beginning? Does he have enough chew toys? (I guess the answer is that he thinks cushions are toys, haha)
On Sat, May 11, 2013 at 12:13 PM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
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He’s doing much better. He was neglected by his previous owner and has some separation issues. Now that I’m not working, of course he’s very happy and content. BRAT!
Anything that is fabric he would like to think is his chew toy. And yes he has PLENTY of chew toys!
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Everything but your poor finger looks great! Congratulations on a job well-done! 🙂
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Thank you so much! My finger still hurts; I’ve never had such a bad burn! Who would think a little glue gun could cause so much pain.
On Tue, May 14, 2013 at 11:03 PM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
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They’re pretty hot! Fingers are pretty sensitive. Mine hurt when I just get a little paper cut or chop off the tippy tip of my thumb with a sharp knife. It took weeks for that to heal back, but fortunately it did, with no scar or indentation! 🙂 Bodies are amazing healing machines! 🙂
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Oh you poor thing, cutting off your finger! I am so glad it grew back! Bodies are amazing I wish women could love their bodies more!
On Thu, May 16, 2013 at 5:11 AM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
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I didn’t cut much off, just a tiny round sliver, but it shocked me, and I didn’t really know what to do. Did it need stitches, or just throw away the little piece? I opted for the latter, and I think I did the right thing, but it was a guess. I live about 20 minutes from a hospital. It didn’t really hurt at first, and the thought of shots and stitches hurt worse than the actual cut! So I came out just fine.
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Whew, I’m glad you’re OK!
On Thu, May 16, 2013 at 11:24 PM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
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Im tough! 🙂
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Well, after the blister went away, the burned skin looks like bacon, icky. xo to you and Ted!
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ew! I’m so sorry. Thanks for the xos! Who’s Ted? Manny, my teddy would be jealous!!! 🙂 Have a great week-end! 🙂
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hee hee, sorry, meant that for cowboys and crossbones, teddy is her cat! LOL but xo to you as well!
On Fri, May 17, 2013 at 1:47 PM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
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hahaha Manny will relax now, and so will Kalev, our dog. 🙂
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🙂
On Fri, May 17, 2013 at 11:23 PM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
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Why doesn’t it shock me that we have the same ironing board cover?! I love your newly recovered cushion! How’s the blister?
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I am not surprised either! I’m working on the matching canopy now. The blister looks a lot bacon now, ick!! How are you doing?
On Thu, May 16, 2013 at 7:54 AM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
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Oh no, a blister looking like bacon?! I hope it doesn’t deter your birthday partying! I’m doing great – have a naughty kitty on my hands after putting him in a sombrero….!
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Pretty, pretty, pretty!!!! So sorry I’m late, but I’m trying to get caught up with some of my reading.
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no worries! I’m glad to hear from you!
On Mon, May 20, 2013 at 9:01 PM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
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Pingback: DIY Part Two: Outdoor Swing Canopy Sewing Project | Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugboat Captain's Wife
Such an improvement!
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Thank you! And it’s lasted and the fabric isn’t fading at all which is crazy cos it’s sitting in the sun 365.
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Nice job! It turned out very pretty. I think I would feel the same as you and want my awning to match the seat, but from what I can see it doesn’t look bad at all.
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It worked just fine until one day I got tired of looking at it and we got rid of it completely and have all new outdoor furniture, so now I can obsess about finding the perfect accent pillows or the fabric to sew my own!
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That’s very nice that you have new furniture but that swing looked like a lot of fun. I have always wanted a swing like that.
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If you lived closer, we would have given it to you! We had had it for about 10 years or so — time to “move on” as he said. It was nice, tho, the first place anyone wanted to sit.
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Yes, of course because there is nothing quite as comfortable as a swing. 🙂
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And when it got cool, bundling up in a blanket in the sun. Amazing!
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Yes, I’m sure that was pure bliss. 🙂
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Now you’re getting me thinking that we need to get another swing or a hammock!
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Absolutely! The more the merrier and more bliss for everyone!
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Funny coincidence, son called and told me he’s getting hub a hammock for his birthday and it’s from REI so we can take it camping with us, too!
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That will be wonderful! Hammock while you are camping. Nice and peaceful.
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