Hi Everyone!

I’m so excited that I’ve finally gotten around to sharing my new poufs/floor cushions with you!  I actually made them for our little Superbowl viewing and they worked out great!  So much easier than getting out a bunch of extra seating, not to mention, cozier on the bum!

Since then these bad boys have been used as “wheels”, a napping spot for the kids and dogs, fort foundations, weapons (not surprisingly) and foot rests.

They’re very versatile and I hope you’ll make some for your home too!

Here’s what you will need to make 1 pouf, double for extra fun:

1.  A 24″ x 24″ piece of 5″ thick foam

2.  Fabric cut into these sizes: 2 – 25″ x 25″ pieces, 1 – 6″ x 54″ and 2 – 4″ x 34″ (for the zipper), and 2″ wide sections for your welting, if you choose to add this detail

3.  Batting cut into 2 – 25″ x 25″ pieces, and 2 – 6″ x 54″ pieces  Pick your thickness, but I went pretty thick!

3.  A 33″ long zipper, usually only available by the yard (not in those packages)

4.  Thread, sewing machine, fabric ruler, scissors

Does that fabric look familiar to you?  That’s because I picked it up last year at the Rose Bowl for $8!  Check it out here.  It was a fairly small piece and only 36″ wide, but it was hand-stitched in Guatemala and so amazingly colorful.  I love it!

Or maybe you recognize the kimono pillow we’ve already made?  Good memory!!

I started by cutting my foam.

Using a ruler, I found the middle and then just measured out from the middle 12″, making little markings around the edge.  I tied ribbon around a pen and pinned it to the center to help me draw in the circular shape.  Not necessary, really but it reminded me of an elementary school project!

Grab a bread knife and make triangular cuts around the square.  The trick it to keep the cuts super perpendicular to the top!

Don’t stress too much if you get a few crevices or dents!  That’s what the batting is for!  It’s like a mask for your foam.

Now lets cut circles out of our fabric.

Fold it in half…

Then in half again…

This will leave you with a quarter of a circle… or two pepperoni slices!

Using your fabric ruler measure out 12.5″ from the folded corner of the fabric.  Mark your spot with a pin.

Now trim the fabric following your arc of pins.

Oh la la!  With one circle done, just copy it for the rest!  I actually used plain black polyester for the bottom of my cushions.  It cleans well, is durable and was only a buck for a yard!

Now you will sew together the batting to make a cover for the foam.  I used my sewing machine for the top to side and then only half of the bottom to the side, leaving a large opening to get it back onto the foam.  *Tip:  As you sew with the machine, use your fingers to hold the batting flat so that it doesn’t snag on the foot.

Then I just hand-stitched it shut.  I won’t be taking that off anytime soon!

If you’ll be adding a welted detail, time to get that going… Use those 2″ strips, your zipper foot and plain cording.  This isn’t hard, promise!!  I don’t pin mine in place or anything.  I just hold it closed as I sew and adjust every few seconds or so.

To add the welt, simply follow the circular outline of your fabric, pinning to keep it in place.  You will pin it to the FRONT of the fabric like so.  Use a zipper foot to sew around the welt cord as close as possible to the original stitch you did.

With that zipper foot, put in your zipper.  I’ve shown you that, so no need to review, right??

With the top and bottom done, just pin the sides in place and sew it all together!

You’re done!!

Now relax and put those sewing feet up, because you done good.  Yes, you have done real good.

Also, prepare yourself to be amazed by the many situations your little poufs get into!

I hope you’re all having a great week!  And I hope that you’re inspired to try a little pouf or two!

Happy Creating!  Tootles!  Jessica