Easily Make a Cushion for a Chair or Bench
You may not know this but I was a seamstress long before I was a draftsman or DIYer. I made most of my clothes in high school, as well as most of my kids clothes before they decided that it was uncool to have Mom make their clothes! I’ve done quite a few upholstery projects involving furniture and car interiors. Let me show you how to make a basic box cushion to complete your DIY seating projects or refresh existing furniture using basic sewing skills. If you can sew a straight line, this basic box cushion with a Velcro closure is for you!
Materials:
- Cushion or foam (use a bread knife to cut the foam) (<– affiliate links!)
- Fabric of your choice – Duck cloth, canvas, or drapery fabrics work best for cushions because of the durability (<– affiliate link!)
- Hook and Loop tape (Velcro) (<– affiliate link!)
- Measuring tape or yardstick (<– affiliate links!)
- Coordinating thread
Step One
Start by measuring the the cushion or piece of foam to be covered. Add 1″ to the overall length and width for the seam allowance. I recommend covering the foam or cushion with Dacron upholstery batting to help round the edges of the foam and give it a fuller look.
Step Two
Cut a strip of fabric as thick as the foam or cushion plus 1″ (for the seam allowance) and as long as the measurement from the center of the side, across the front edge, to the center of the opposite side plus 1″.
Step Three
Cut two strips the same length as the first strip but the width of each piece will be half of the thickness of the foam or cushion plus 2-1/2″. This will create a flap where the pieces will overlap at the back and be secured with the hook and loop tape.
Step Four
Starting with the two strips for the flap, fold one long edge over on each piece by 1″ and sew in place. Cut pieces of the hook and loop tape and stitch in place along the length of each piece. One side of the tape will be sewn to the front side of the flap at the hem and the other side of the tape will be stitched to the back side of the flap at the hem.
Step Five
Layer the flap pieces pressing the hook and loop tape pieces together. Pin the short edges of the flap to the short edges of the remaining long strip. Sew with a 1/2″ seam.
Step Six
Pin the seam of the strip to either the top or bottom piece starting at the center of the side with the right sides together. When a corner is reached, make a 1/2″ clip into the edge of the strip so it will lay smooth around the corner. Once the strip is pinned in place, stitch with a 1/2″ seam. Repeat for the remaining piece.
Step Seven
Open the flap by pulling the hook and loop tape apart and turn the cover right side out. Insert the foam or cushion.
Voila!! You’ve learned how to sew a basic box cushion with no zipper! Any questions on how to make a basic box cushion? Leave a comment below!
37 Comments
Thank you so much for this!!!! I need it to make new cushions for my patio furniture!!!! I just bought the foam I needed at Home Depot last week and I was searching for a pattern on how to make cushions! You must have been reading my mind 😉
Of course I was… We’re besties, remember!! If you have any questions, let me know!!
Am pinning! Such good timing as I get ready to redo some furniture 🙂 Thanks for sharing this post!!
Thank you so much, Wendi! I have to replace a few myself so I will be adding them to “the list” which seems to steadily be growing!
Thank you so much! I really appreciate you stopping by!
I tried this today but I ran into a problem. if you cut the two strips for the velcro 1/2 the width of the foam plus 1 1/2 ” and you turn over 1″ on each strip you end up with two strips that if you put them side by side are the same width as your non opening strip. Once you overlap them to fasten the velcro you end up 1 ” short!
You are absolutely correct, AnneeM, and I appreciate you bringing this to my attention! I’ve edited the plans to cut the strips half of the thickness of the foam plus 2-1/2″ allowing for an extra inch on each piece. Thank you!
The instructions actually say to add 2.5 inches although the drawing shows just 1.5. Maybe that’s the problem. Did you ever work it out? I’m planning to use these instructions soon. Thanks!
I am having a problem with my box cushion. all measurments are correct and construction is correct. When I insert the foam into the cover the corners pull in and don’t make a sharp corner. what am I doing wrong?
Hi, Connie! I’m not sure what the problem could be… Is there any way a photo can be uploaded so I can take a look?
Does the width of the velcro tape matter? I bought 3/4″ velcro so should I add 2 and 3/4″ to the overall width of the back strip? I’m trying hard to visual this especially after the last comment about the pieces meeting up and not overlapping.
Hi, Karen! The width of the hook and loop tape does not matter. The instructions have been adjusted so that there will be an overlap. The pieces will be cut at half of the thickness of the cushion PLUS 2-1/2″. For example, if the cushions are 4″ thick, each piece will be cut at 4-1/2″ wide allowing for a 1/2″ seam allowance. If the pieces are folded back 1″ for a hem, they will overlap 1″, does that make sense? Hope this helps!