During these warm summer months I spend as much time outdoors as possible. Living in the city means that any private outdoor space you have is considered precious. I have a small patio, but love to decorate it as if it is the inside of my home. After finding some really cute and fun outdoor fabrics (there are so many on the market now!) I got the bug to sew outdoor pillows, place mats and more. My next project is a coordinating bench cushion for the wooden park bench I've held on to for the past 10 years.
The most important thing to keep in mind if sewing your outdoor decor yourself is that you use fabrics specifically made for the outdoors. Moisture and heat are evil culprits of untreated fabrics and will destroy your lovely creations within one season. Use polyfill inserts for your cushions and pillows, and remember to make everything removable so that you can easily wash your pretty covers. I make all of my pillow covers with envelope backs - but you need to make the envelope portion with a large overlap, or rain will get inside of your pillow cases.
Another great tip... french seams. Some people do overlock or serging to finish their edges. But the truth is that nothing beats the quality of a french seam. Essentially they are double stitched for durability, and you never ever have a raw edge to contend with. Spend the few extra minutes and practice your french seam technique. You'll be happy you did.
The pillows shown are available for sale on my Etsy page (http://www.maisonboutique.etsy.com). This is my newest Etsy store specializing in home decor items. Take a look and let me know your thoughts!
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