How to Sew an Outdoor Backrest Pillow

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Freshen up your patio furniture with new fabric covers. This is a great way to update your patio and get it ready for summer. If your outdoor furniture pillow is stained or moldy, or you don’t like the fabric, it’s easy to sew a new cover using your existing one as a pattern. Let’s get started on this quick DIY project.
Video Chapters:
  • Intro — 0:00 min.
  • Evaluating Pillow — 0:08 min.
  • Creating New Pillow Protector — 1:15 min.
  • Cutting Out Fabric — 5:00 min.
  • Creating Zipper Plaque — 10:18 min.
  • Sewing & Basting Panels Together — 18:38 min.
  • Sewing Pillow Together — 24:02 min.
Materials List:
  • Spun Bonded Pillow Protector 62" Fabric #126062
  • Indoor/Outdoor Performance Fabric from Sailrite (we used Outdura® Raindrop Almond #124654)
  • Lenzip® #5 White Continuous Coil Zipper Chain #124597
  • Lenzip® #5 White Single Non-Locking Metal Zipper Pull (Coil Chain) #124603
  • Seamstick 1/4" Basting Tape for Canvas & Upholstery (36 yds.) #122065
  • PremoBond® Tex 70 (V-69) White UV Bonded Polyester Thread 4 oz. (1,350 yds.) #124738
Tools List:
  • Kai Stainless Steel Bent Handle 9" Scissors #125661
  • Sailrite® Clear Acrylic Ruler 6" x 24" #102400
  • Sailrite® Edge Cordless Hotknife 18V Package #122177
  • Precision Cutting Blade & Foot for Edge Hotknife #125495
  • Sailrite® Canvas Patterning Ruler #107040
  • Large Fabric/Leather Grip Clips #126365
  • Tape Measure 120" #102986
  • Multiuse Pins 1-1/2" (250 pack) #102985
  • Sailrite® Deluxe Fabricator® Sewing Machine Package (110V) #400600
  • Seam Ripper Deluxe #18104
  • Suisei Magnetic Sewing Guide #102983
  • Pencil, Straightedge

The first step is to remove the pillow cover and inspect the condition of the foam or batting inside. The stuffing in our pillow cover is in good condition, so we do not need to replace it. However, the case holding the stuffing has disintegrated, so we will make a new one using Spun Bonded Pillow Protector Fabric #126062. 

If your stuffing needs to be replaced, we sell batting and polyester fiberfill. Or you can choose from our selection of indoor/outdoor pillow forms. Our pillow forms are water resistant and made with garnetted fiber. Garnetted fiber is a material stuffed into the pillow and processed in a way that ensures these pillows have more body, less compression over time and higher overall quality. They are a great choice for all your pillow projects!

We chose Outdura® upholstery fabric for our patio furniture pillow. For outdoor pillows and cushions, we recommend indoor/outdoor performance fabric brands like Outdura and Sunbrella® Upholstery. These fabrics feature high water, UV, abrasion and stain resistance. They’re also bleach cleanable and easy to sew. We stock hundreds of performance upholstery fabrics in classic solids, timeless stripes and modern prints. You’re sure to find a fabric you love at Sailrite®.

X Ht 300798 2Once your backrest pillow is complete, you’ll need to make a new cushion cover as well. Watch our easy 30-minute box cushion tutorial to make a matching seat cushion for your patio furniture set.

We hope you enjoyed this quick and easy backrest pillow cover DIY. If you’re looking for more patio projects, check out our Outdoor Living DIYs category. We have tutorials on how to sew a pergola canopy, shade sails, grill and furniture covers, and more. Get your backyard barbeque-ready with Sailrite DIY videos.

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