It's a Dog's Life!

I got totally distracted this week on another project outside of the basement bedroom . . . when I was in the fabric store the other day I saw this gorgeous fabric and had to find a job for it . . . . Kenzie Girl (that's my dog) . . . is getting old . . . in the past 8 months she's gone deaf, has glaucoma and is blind in her right eye (which has caused some depth perception issues).  She used to stay downstairs if she was sleeping and if I went upstairs to do or get something I'd be able to do so in peace . . . not any more . . . the second she realizes I'm home and not in her presence, she sits at the bottom of the stairs and just cries . . . so I get up from what I'm doing and coax her up the stairs . . . then she gets up there and wants to sit right beside

The Beast (you finally get to meet her)

(which isn't always efficient) OR she wants to sit on what I'm sewing.  I decided it was time to make a cushion for a rattan ottoman I purchased last winter for her to sleep on at night . . . which didn't work because she hated not being in my bed . . .  it's been moved around several times in different rooms and it now sits at the top of the stairs.

but has really needed a custom cushion - I've tried all sorts of things but nothing fits perfectly or looked great so I decided after being inspired by the "outside seam" I saw on some cushions whilst surfing the net, not wanting to pay the price anyone was asking AND needing a custom size, I'd attempt it . . .

Here are the supplies . . .

Foam, Fabric, Thread, Scissors and lining for the foam.

Measure the foam first (mine was 16" X 21")

Cut fabric (and lining) 1/2 inch larger than foam measures (the picture is a bit distorted  but both large pieces are the same size (top and bottom) - the smaller pieces are the sides.



Sew lining first, leave an opening to stuff the foam inside and then whip stitch the opening closed.

It's never a REAL project until you leave some DNA behind!

Now sew the outside fabric . . . to obtain this "outside seam" look you simply sew the WRONG sides together


Sew wrong sides together (leaving an opening in the top and bottom so you can sew them on after)



Stuff the lined foam into the back opening

Change to the Zipper Foot and close up the back opening



and here's the finished product

Isn't it going to fray? . . . you ask . . . why yes it is and that's EXACTLY what I want it to do!


TOTAL COST:  Fabric (linen look drapery), Foam (2"), Thread (1 spool) $29.20 CDN
TOTAL TIME:  1.5 hours (included being interrupted several times by the Kenzie Girl)