How to Fill a Cushion

Make lumpy or flattened cushions look new again using basic sewing materials.

When you are decorating your home, you may think of tossing out your own, flattened chair cushions and replacing them with new cushions. However, buying new chair cushions can be costly and may not fit into your decorating budget. One alternative is to refill the chair cushions you already own using new infill to make them appear plump and new again. You can fill chair cushions using inexpensive materials that are found at any fabric or craft store.

Things You'll Need

• Seam ripper
• Cotton or polyester infill
• Wooden dowel, 1/2 inch thick, 12 inches long
• Straight pins
• Sewing needle
• Nylon thread
• Scissors

Instructions

1. Locate the exposed sewn seam along the edge of the cushion. It should appear as if part of the edging is sticking out on about 4 to 6 inches of its length. Carefully cut the exposed seam using a seam ripper. Do not cut the cushion fabric as you cut the seam.

2. Remove the old infill from inside of the cushion. If the cushion had cinched buttons, be careful not to rip or tear the stitching. Dispose of the old infill.

3. Insert new infill into the cushion through the opened seam. Select either cotton or polyester infill, which are non-allergenic. Insert the end of a 1/2-inch diameter wooden dowel to push the infill into the corners of the cushion. Fill the cushion as full as you prefer.

4. Pinch the opened seam back together, lining up the edges, and insert straight pins along the seam to secure it in place.

5. Sew along the pinned edge using a sewing needle and nylon thread, then cut off any excess thread before using the cushion.

6. Repeat to fill as many cushions as you require.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep sharp seam rippers, sewing needles and scissors out of the reach of children.