Farmhouse Cushion Banner DIY Cushion Covers

Other bloggers inspire me all the time like Our Crafty Mom did with these farmhouse cushion updates last fall.  The minute I saw these cushion banners I knew I was going to try my own version and yeah today is the day.  These cushion cover banners are an easy way to update any cushion you have and I love how unique the idea is.

These cushion cover banners are designed to go with these European sized cushions, but you can adjust them to any sized cushion.

The cushions cover banners are made with a bleached drop cloth and painted with watered down grey chalk paint.  They are so inexpensive,  making them is a great way to get creative.  I posted how to bleach drop cloths last week, and how to make the extra luxurious cushion inserts and striped cushion covers as well.

There are two styles of banners in this post, one with ties, and one without.   One is stenciled using a cutting machine, the other one is done with an equine template and purchased wall sized stencil.   I am not sure which style of cushion I prefer,  but you can choose your preference.  Please let me know which style you prefer?

Tutorial for Sewing the Plain Cushion Cover

For the width of your cushion banner material.  Measure your existing cushion from seam to seam, add two inches for the seam allowance.

For the height of your cushion banner measure the height of your cushion from seam to seam and subtract four inches.

For example, this European cushion is 26 by 26 inches from seam to seam.  So my fabric is cut at 24″high by 28″ wide.

Stencil on to your fabric before sewing, using your favorite method.

Sewing the plain cushion cover.

Make a rolled edge on the top and bottom of your cushion banner.  Turn your fabric over 1/4 inch and then fold it over again and press.  Sew along the edge to form the hem.

Using a zig-zag stitch seal the other two edges of the fabric to prevent fraying.

Place the fabric two sides together, and align with the rolled hems.  Sew the two side seams with a one-inch seam allowance.   Press and place on the cushion.

Tutorial for Tied Cushion Cover

For the width of your cushion banner material.  Measure your existing cushion from seam to seam, add two inches for the rolled hem allowance.

For the height of your cushion banner measure the height of your cushion from seam to seam and subtract four inches.

For example, this European cushion is 26 by 26 inches from seam to seam.  So my fabric is cut at 24″high by 28″ wide.

Make a rolled edge on each side of the panel.  Turn your fabric over 1/4 inch and then fold it over again and press.  Don’t sew until you make the ties.

Cut twelve pieces of fabric 2″ by 12″ long.  Fold the two long sides over towards the middle.  Then fold the two edges together, sew along the edge with a straight stitch.  Finish the short ends with a zig-zag stitch.  Repeat with the other fabric.

Attach the threads into the side hems of the panel at the top, middle and bottom of each side hem. Sew along the edge to form the hems. Repeat on the other side.

Sew the second panel.   Iron and tie the panels together around your cushion.

Applying the Stenciled Horse and Wreath Pattern

Find the verticle and horizontal center of your fabric, then mark with chalk,  fold the horse stencil and align it with the chalk markings.

Tape the top edge of the stencil to your fabric with painters tape.   Place a piece of carbon paper where the stencil will be and tape the bottom.

Fold the horse template over the carbon and trace.  Remove leaving just the horse pattern outline.

Using one tablespoon of chalk paint mixed with one tablespoon of water and a small paint brush, paint in the horse pattern.  While painting, be aware of the direction a horse paintings strokes would typically be.  Nothing too particular, just up and down strokes for the legs, a downward curve for the mane and a swoosh for the tail.  The purpose is pretty general, doing it this way prevents the stencil from looking too stamped.  Let dry thoroughly before adding the purchased wall stencil.

Once dry line up the wreath stencil with the chalk marks and using a small dabber apply the paint carefully.  The best way to do this is dip the paint into the paint dab the majority of it off onto a paper towel and then softly dab the stencil.  Be patient, if it takes half an hour to paint it, that’s pretty short in time compared to lots of other craft projects.  Once done leave set for at least an hour or two.

When your cover is completely dry, about an hour.  Cover the stencil pattern with a paper towel and iron with a hot iron and no steam to set the paint.  Using a dap cloth remove the chalk mark.

Bad Medicine

You may not know that my Hubs use to have several thoroughbred racehorses and they are the most amazing animals in the world.    There is a saying that you know you have found your horse bond when you can hear what they are thinking.  It’s true. We had a horse I love dearly get very sick, I spent many nights with him at his barn,  and he taught me so much about strength, grace and quiet elegance.   We lost Bad Medicine, he waits in heaven for me, I keep his horseshoes on my makeup dresser, and this cushion is in honor of my beautiful boy.

That is what I like most about doing things yourself, you can move away from generic sayings and personalize it into something meaningful for yourself.

Text Stenciled Cushion Cover Banner

The text stencil is made with a cutting machine and freezer paper.  Design the wording with a size 144  in AR Essence font.  For these very large cushions, divide the saying into two halves, cut each half individually and line up the text lines afterward.

While weeding out the stencil using some painters tape to attach the middle portions of certain letters like a, e, o, p, etc.  carefully weed away the excess paper keeping the center in the letters intact.

Iron the stencil onto the fabric with a hot iron and no steam.   Take a look checking individual letters for wrinkles and give them an extra steam.  The neater the edges the less bleed through you will have when dabbing on the paint.

Even with all the careful weeding, I managed to miss a center in one of the letters.  I made a mental note and left it and then reused the center of another letter O to correct it, once the paint was completely dry.

Using a dabber and chalk paint dab paint in the stencil.  Dab the excess paint off onto a piece of paper towel before applying it to the stencil.  Once done let dry for an hour. Remove the stencil and then with a small paintbrush touch up the stenciled letters   Let dry for at least an hour.  Then cover with a paper towel and press with a dry iron to seal the paint.

These cushions will eventually be part of a front window seat I am working on.  Our large dog likes to jump up there and is causing damage.  I  am hopeful if I make and place a cushioned seat on the window seat, it will prevent him from causing more damage.  Wish me luck in getting it finished soon.

Have a wonderful week.