Alternative to Buying New Cushions

I have 2 wicker chairs in my living room that came with floral chair cushions that don't quite match my decor. I am not good at sewing, and didn't want to purchase new cushions, as they can be quite expensive. So, as an alternative to either of those, I found a way to cover my cushions so that the covers can be removed and washed when needed, and the cost was amazingly reasonable: Less than $1! And the complete process of covering each cushion took less than 5 minutes!


I started by scouring the local thrift stores for standard size pillow shams. Most thrift stores sell them as a pair. I found exactly what I wanted, in a pattern that really goes well with my Romantic Country decor, and the cost was only $ .98 for the pair!! Always check the fabric for stains or tears before purchasing.

This is the front of the pillow sham.

This is the back side of the sham with the opening.

Slip one end of the cushion into one side of the sham. It will probably fit snuggly. Pull the other half up and over the rest of the cushion.

Turn it over, and shake the cushion down so that it is completely at one end of the sham. Place it on the floor or table and smooth out the top.

You will have part of the pillow sham that is empty. Fold it over to the underside of the cushion, and place it back on the chair. Fold under any part that is hanging out in the back of the cushion.

You are finished!!! How quick is that??!! The best part is, that you can remove the cover for washing whenever needed, and you can purchase other sets of shams from thrift stores so that you can change the looks of your chairs anytime you wish! The pillow shams are available in different sizes from standard to king size, so check to make sure which size sham you will need for your cushion.

I hope you enjoyed this little tip!! It is a great way to save money & yet decorate your home the way you wish! :-)

Finished chair!