A new bed for Rusty

 

I've had these two ugly cushions for a long time, planning to make something from them and I finally got around to it! I plan to make one into a cushion for my porch swing and made this one into a new bed for Rusty to match my studio! Thought I'd share how I did it--its really simple and I didn't try to make it perfect. I know some of you who are really good seamstresses could give me some pointers. ha! But it works for me.

 First I found some fabric and a volunteer to help me....I didn't even have to ask him! I laid the cushion on the fabric and cut around it with about ½" extra all the way around. For the back I folded the piece I just cut in half and laid it on the fabric, then cut a piece that size. The 2nd piece for the back is cut like the other, but make it about 2/3 the size of the front. It doesn't have to be exact, they just need to overlap each other. Then I cut a strip about ½" wider than the sides. I didn't have a piece long enough so I cut 2 strips and sewed the ends together.

   

 

  Turn down the long edges of the two back pieces and hem. Next, sew the strip to the front side of the pillow. Be careful to match the corners up and pin if you need to. (See pics above.) In the picture on the left I was trying to show you how I sewed the two back pieces on! Match up the corners and sew on the smaller piece, then do the same with larger piece, overlapping over the smaller piece. When you turn it right side out, it should look like this:
 

  You could stop here and it would be just fine for a pet bed or a cushion. You can easily take the cushion out so you can wash the cover too! I decided to add some buttons to mine. You could use covered buttons with matching fabric, but I liked the look of mismatched buttons on it.

  I made a couple of pillows too while I was sewing. After I started sewing, I was a little worried that they might not match but look how good they match! Next project for my office is to slipcover and chair where these two pillows will go. Rusty wouldn't stay on his bed long enough for a picture. This is the best I got....

Best of all, when you're done you can feel proud that you made it yourself.....and take a LOOONG nap! Now when you're at the junk store, look out for those old pillows! I got 2 for my outside chairs that I recovered for $1 each and I think these long cushions were $2 each. I got the fabric for the outside cushions for about  $1 at the junk store too and it actually matches this fabric!