Three years ago we bought some Ikea Byholma chairs for our kitchen. Unfortunately the only option for the coordinating Djupvik cushions was white. Dying the covers was one of the first projects I posted on this blog (crazy right?). Well, three years later and my dye job has not been holding up very well:
The dark green colour has slowly turned to a khaki-beige colour with really uneven wear. Time for a DIY update!
I decided to create my own pattern and sew some new dark grey covers AND if you have some djupvik cushions that need new covers I have a free pattern and step by step instructions so you can sew yourself some also!
For each cushion cover you will need:
- 0.5 metres/yards of 60″ fabric (I used 2 metres of soft cotton/poly canvas for my 4 covers)
- 1 zipper
- Long ruler
- Roll of newsprint or extra sheets of plain paper
- Pencil
- Sewing machine with regular and zipper foot
- Coordinating thread
- Scissors
- Crap-load of pins
Create your paper templates
Download the free pattern for the cushion seat using the form above. Print all the pages (without scaling) and make sure the 3” test square is accurate. Trim to the borders and tape the pages together matching up the triangles. Cut out the template.
Using a large roll of newsprint paper (or taped together printer paper) cut out the following templates:
1 – Long Rectangle: 55″ x 3.75″
1 – Zipper Top: 17″ x 2.25″
1 – Zipper Bottom: 17″ x 2.75″
Cut your fabric pieces
For each cushion cover cut:
2 – Cushion seat
1 – Long Rectangle
1 – Zipper Top
1 – Zipper Bottom
If you are making multiple covers keep the pieces for each cushion together.
Sewing the zipper
Lay your zipper down on your zipper top piece (right sides together) and sew together close to the edge.
Repeat with the zipper bottom piece.
Flip the piece so the zipper is right side up and fold the fabric so that the zipper is hidden. Press lightly with an iron.
Flip the piece over again and pin through the zipper tape to keep the fabric folds you just made in place.
Carefully stitch through the zipper tape into the folded fabric removing the pins as you go
Top stitch over the ends of the zipper piece to re-enforce them
Create the cushion sides (aka long loop)
Trim your completed zipper piece so that it’s the same width as the long rectangle. Sew your long rectangle to each end of your zipper piece (right sides together) using a ½” seam allowance making sure not to twist the pieces creating a long loop.
Attach the seat top
To make these steps easier fold and lightly press the seat fabric pieces in half lengthwise and widthwise then flatten your long loop matching up the seams where you connected your long rectangle to your zipper piece and lightly press the folds. Fold the piece in half again and press again – this will divide your loop into four equal quarters.
The key to attaching the seat pieces to the long loop is to use a crap-load of pins. Take one of your seat pieces and match up the four folds you pressed on it with the creases on your long loop. Pin right sides together at each crease to divide your piece into four. Be careful: the zipper should be centered along the curved end of the seat (not the straight edge like I did on my first go – womp womp womp).
Work slowly along the loop pinning your pieces together between your four original pins. You may need to stretch here and there to make sure everything is evenly pinned. Don’t be afraid to use a lot of pins at this point it makes sewing curves so much easier.
Once your seat is completely pinned, sew your pieces together using a ½” seam allowance carefully removing pins as you sew.
Repeat for the seat bottom
Repeat for your second seat piece. Keep in mind that you will end up with an inside out cover – make your life easier by opening the zipper before you start pinning so you don’t have to fiddle with it to turn it right side out.
Enjoy!
Hopefully these instructions make sense – if they don’t please email me and let me know – I’ll happily answer any questions you have. I hope you find this pattern helpful and enjoy your new cushion covers!