Every DIY story I tell starts with “this old house of ours..” Really! This old house that we bought is in need of so much updating. Too many projects to count! We have been in this house for almost three years, and I had intended 
to make my DIY window seat cover two and a half years ago! Seriously! I bought the fabric and everything! The current window seat cover is a brown vinyl and needs to go! Lately my DIY motivation has been really high! I’m not even sure why, but I decided that it is time to get some of these little projects done. Especially the ones that I ALREADY have the supplies for.
So, since the DIY bug got me, I pulled out the fabric I bought so long ago to make my DIY window seat cover. It is a beautiful grey and white canvas. Prefect for a window seat! I gave it a good washing (without any fabric softener) and dried it, Then I spent a good amount of time ironing the fabric so that I could lay it out to cut it.
DIY Window Seat Cover
I started by taking the old window seat and looked inside. The outside fabric is a lovely brown vinyl, complete with a huge zipper in the back and air vents on the bottom of it! I opened up the zipper and the foam on the inside is still in good shape – thank goodness, I wasn’t sure where I was going to find such a huge piece of foam if I needed to replace it!
The Plan
Off with the old! I removed the old vinyl and, on the biggest table I own, laid out the new fabric and the old foam. It suddenly seemed like a huge project! But, I have started, and so I must finish. My initial plan was to take the old vinyl and use it for a template. But there was something about the feel of the vinyl. I just couldn’t use it. So…. I had to use the foam as my template. I actually began by measuring the foam and making a nice little drawing of the measurements.
It turns out that it was so much easier to fold the fabric in half, lengthwise, put the foam on top of the fabric and
trace right around it with a pencil (on the wrong side of the fabric, of-course). Holding the pencil at the same angle all the way around the fabric is the key to making a good pattern on the new fabric. I also measured the depth of the foam so that I could make the gusset around the whole seat and added 1 inch to the measurement. The added inch is so that I can use 1/2 inch seam allowance.
Next, I began to cut. This part makes me nervous, especially when I don’t have a real pattern to follow, and I have limited fabric, which I am sure I could not repurchase since the original purchase was so long ago! <eek> So, eventually, I was able to make the first cut, and then it was all easy! After I cut out the front and back of the cushion, I cut the gusset. There was not enough length to make a continuous gusset, so I had to join two pieces together to make it one long piece. I used the angle technique to join the pieces.
SEWING!
Time to sew! Pin the gusset to the top piece, right sides together. Before sewing, an opening needs to be created to be able to get the foam cushion in and out. I decided to use some simple white velcro at a length of 1 yard. Measure the yard on the gusset and cut a slit the same length in the middle of the gusset. Also mark the start and end of the slit with pins, so that a different seam allowance can be used on the length where the velcro will go. Use a 1/2 inch seam allowance everywhere except between the pins marking the slit for the velcro. Between the pins, use a 1/4 inch seam allowance. Join the top piece to the gusset with right sides together. Curves and all. Then trim the seam allowance at the curves and iron to press the seams towards the gusset. Then, sew the bottom piece to the gusset, right sides together. Again, trim the curves and press the seams towards the gusset.
At this point, all that is left is to add the velcro. Fold the fabric over 1/8 inch along the length marked for the velcro and iron. Pin and then stitch the velcro to each side of the slit in the gusset, so that when the fabric matches up, the velcro is smooth and secure. Once the velcro is attached, there is nothing left to do but iron the fabric to a crisp smooth finish! Insert the foam!!
Since my window seat is in the middle of our kitchen and family room area, I wanted to be able to protect the fabric from spills, animals and dirty sports bags that I am sure will be placed there daily! I purchased some fabric protector spray from Hobby Lobby and sprayed both the front and the back before I put the DIY Window Seat Cover to use!
Finished Product
I absolutely love how this DIY window seat cover turned out. It has completely changed the feel and look of this window seat. It is so much more inviting, and as my kids say “I no longer stick to the seat”. That is worth more than words can say! 🙂
