Categories: Utility, Gifts, Decor

It is such a thrill to go into your attic and find a treasure. In the back of your mind you knew it was there somewhere but when you discover it, it is such a thrill. We tend to save things for our adult children. Special toys and odd pieces of furniture that we know they will want for their children. This is what DIY Chair Cushions is all about. Updating a hidden treasure that will make the perfect gift for your grandchild. With some adorable fabric, a piece of NuFoam™ Foam Padding, American Spirit Batting™, a little work and you have a perfect gift as wells as the added bonus of more room in your attic.

What you need to make this project

Materials: Assorted fabric of your choice; NuFoam™ Pad - cut to size needed; Cotton Batting - cut to size needed; Thread

Supplies: Basic Measuring, Cutting and Pressing Tools & Supplies; Sewing Machine

Instructions

Step One

Measure the chair seat you will be covering, allowing 1/2 inch on either side. Cut the NuFoam™ Pad to the exact measurement. Hint: Using a serrated knife helps. Set aside.

Step Two

Decide on the design for the chair cushion. Will it be pieced as in the example or a solid piece of fabric? The choice is yours. You will need to have two pieces for the top and bottom that after quilting measure the width and length of the NuFoam™ cut earlier plus 1/2 inch seam allowances. You will also need two pieces for the backing. Additionally you will need a third piece of quilted fabric that measures 3 inches by the diameter of the chair cushion plus one inch.

Step Three

To quilt the fabric, create your desired top by combining pieces of fabric. Layer the top right sides up on top of a piece of American Spirit Batting and a backing fabric which is wrong sides up. Draw a diagonal line across the middle and quilt, sewing in rows running parallel to each other. Note: It is easier to work with the batting and the backing fabric larger than the top. Once the piece has been quilted, trim to desired size.

Step Four

Cut the top, bottom and side pieces using the measurements noted earlier. Place marks at the corners of the top and bottom sections by measuring in from the top and side of each corner 1/2″ and placing a mark using a removable fabric marker. See Diagram A
Diagrams have been provided. See DIY Chair Cushion Diagrams
covering-a-chair-cushion

Step Five

With right sides together, stitch the ends of the side strip together using a 1/2 inch seam. Press the seam open. Using a removable fabric marker mark the corners of the chair cushion along both edges of the side strips. See Diagram B

Step Six

Cut two pieces of fabric for the ties 3 inches by 10 inches. Fold the each of the tie sections right sides together and stitch along the 10 inch length using a 1/2 inch seam. Turn right side out and press. Fold in each of the ends and topstitch. Diagram C

Step Seven

Mark the placement of the ties. Fold each of the ties in half and place a pin at the fold. Pin ties in place on the side strip and stitch. See Diagram D

Step Eight

With right sides together, pin the side strip to the back edge of the cushion top, centering the back seam of the side strip to the center back of the chair cushion top and matching the corner marks made earlier. Stitch using a 1/2 inch seam. Diagram E

Step Nine

Clip into the side strip and rotate it to align with the side of the chair cushion top. Repeat stitching to the next corner. Continue until the entire strip is attached to the cushion top. Diagram F

Step Ten

Follow the same steps to attach the cushion bottom to the side strip, leaving the back seam open. Insert the NuFoam™ Pad and hand stitch the opening closed.

DIY Seat Cushions