Make printed message deckchair headrests: free sewing pattern

Accessorise deckchairs with headrests made from vintage material. If you like, add personalised messages, including names, mottos or significant dates.

You will need

● piece of cotton, canvas or linen or a readymade cushion cover and pad
● iron

● ink pad (or pieces of sponge to make your own), fabric paint, alphabet stamps
● paper
● tailor’s chalk and a ruler, if required
● eyelet set (available online) and hammer
● scissors

● two lengths of ribbon to attach cushions

To make

1 Make a cotton or canvas envelope cushion cover (see our beginner's cushion cover sewing pattern), or buy one. Iron it flat.


2 Decide on your wording, then practise the letter layout on a scrap of fabric before moving on to your cover material.


3 Follow a line on the fabric, draw one
 with tailor’s chalk, or work freestyle to print your design onto the cover.


4 Press the alphabet stamps on the ink pad or fabric paint and press on to the fabric.

5 Leave the ink or paint to dry (this may take up to an hour), then iron over it to set the colour. If it feels tacky, place a spare piece of cloth over the top first.


6 To add the eyelets, remove a small circle of fabric using the cutting part of the set, or snip a hole at the top corners of the cushion, and follow the instructions on the packet.

7 Insert a cushion pad, then, using ribbon, hang the cushion from the top of the chair.

Photo: Alun Callender. Styling: Ben Kendrick

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