Fast Fix: Kitchens

DIY Grain Sack Kitchen Barstool Cushions

Inexpensive canvas drop cloths, acrylic paint and basic sewing skills come together to create fabulous custom cushions for kitchen barstools or chairs.

By Marian Parsons, Mustard Seed Interiors
Filed under: Kitchens, Handmade, How To

Paint

Select two seat pieces of fabric on which to paint the design. These will be the top sides of each cushion. Measuring side to side, find the center point and tape off two quarter-inch wide stripes. Using a one-inch brush and acrylic paint, paint the space between the taped lines. Allow some fabric to show through the paint for a time-worn look. Remove tape. When painted stripes are fully dry, use a pencil to lightly sketch letters or numbers on both sides of the stripes. Paint over sketch with a liner brush. Allow ample dry time. Tip: For a uniform look or specific font, use a stencil or transfer paper instead of drawing freehand.

Sew Piping

While painted fabric is drying, measure seat cushion perimeter. Cut cotton cord long enough to wrap around the perimeter four times (for two stools.) Cut strips from drop cloth, two-inches wide and the length of the cord. Sew strips together, if needed. Wrap fabric around the cord and sew using a machine zipper foot. Tip: Drop cloth fabric will rip in a straight line. Simply make a cut and rip the fabric to continue the cut.

Assemble Sides and Ties for Cushion

Cut twill tape into eight 16-inch lengths. Making angled cuts will minimize fraying. Gather the front, side and back pieces of cut fabric. Arrange cut fabric in place. Drop cloth fabric is the same on both sides, so it doesn't matter which side will be showing. Where pieces meet in the back corner, insert two lengths of twill tape at the center point and pin seam closed. Repeat on the other back corner, pulling fabric snug to ensure a tailored fit. Sew along pinned seams. Tip: When fitting slipcovers, everything is made inside out, with the seams exposed. Make sure that the ties will be on the outside of the cushion when turned right-side-out.