How to Make Custom Cushions for a Bench

Custom cushions make seating arrangements more comfortable. Benches with or without a back can be set off with nice soft cushions. Bench cushions are easy to make and can be modified to fit any room decor.

Things You'll Need

• Fabric
• Sewing machine
• Thread
• Scissors
• Pins
• Cushion foam

Instructions

1. Take measurements to see what size bench cushions are needed. Measure the width of the bench seating area and the depth from front to back. Write all the measurements down and also draw out a picture of how the custom cushions should look. Select fabric for the cushion that is durable yet soft and that the sewing machine can handle.

2. Use the measurements of the benches and fabric size to figure the amount of fabric needed. Buy enough of the fabric to allow for fabric pattern matching and seam allowances. Also buy matching thread and any trim, as well as cushion foam or stuffing for the cushion. Polyester stuffing works well and can be used for outdoor cushions. The more put into the bench cushions the stiffer the cushions will be. For outside benches, the fabric will need to be waterproof and stand up to the sun.

3. Make a pattern for the bench cushions to go by for cutting. Use a large piece of paper and cut out a pattern the size of the cushion top. If curved corners are wanted on the custom cushions, trace that curve on the paper pattern and cut along it. For this bench cushion, only one pattern piece is needed because the bottom and top are the same size. Double the fabric with the right sides together and pin the pattern to it. If there is a fabric pattern on it, don't fold it but cut each piece separately. Move the paper pattern to where the two pieces will match when cut. Be sure to have the pattern running straight with the grain of the fabric and not at any angle, then cut out both the top and bottom pieces for the custom cushion.

4. With the right sides of the fabric together pin the top and bottom pieces together. Place a pin every 6 inches or so around the edge, pointing outward and about 1/2 inch from the edge. If using trim like fringe around the bench cushion, place it between the two pieces now. Line it up so it is pinned in place to be sewn over with the 1/2-inch seam. Start pinning the trim on near the middle of the short side the sewing will start on.

5. Using a sewing machine, about 6 inches from the corner along that same short side, start sewing a seam 1/2 inch from the edge. Remove the pins as they are come to, and do not sew over them. When a corner is reached, sew a rounded curve or turn a 90 degree angle. Continue around the sides, doing each corner the same way, until back on the short side that was started on. Sew down this side 6 inches, leaving an opening of 10 inches to stuff the bench cushions. Let any trim extend across the short side to overlap its starting end and sew it down along that bottom piece.

6. Clip the corners to get them to lay flat by cutting 1/4-inch-deep slits toward the seam, three at each curve or one at each 90 degree turn. Be careful not to cut into the seam. Take the sewn cushion over to the ironing board and iron the seams open so they will lay flat. Turn the cushion right side out and stuff it. Use loose, fiber fill stuffing or a piece of foam, cut to size. Hand or machine sew the opening shut.

7. To keep the custom cushions from sticking up more in the middle, don't over stuff them and add fabric covered buttons, sewn on through the top and bottom layers to make them tufted. If they are not stuffed too tight, fold the raw edges along the opening inward and sew it up using the sewing machine with a narrow seam along the edge. Once closed up, the bench cushions are done unless buttons are wanted to make them flatter.

8. Position the buttons in a pleasing pattern across the top of the custom cushions and sew them on using a large needle. Sew through both the top and bottom of the cushions to attach the buttons.

Tips & Warnings

• Sew the trim on to one of the pieces using a 1/4-inch seam before sewing the two pieces together to be sure it is positioned right.

• If a removable cushion cover is wanted, sew a zipper in the seam on one of short sides. This will mean buttons cannot be used for tufting.

• Does the bench not have a back and the cushion slides off? Sew two long shoe strings or cords across the length of the cushion to be able to tie it down. Just lay them across the wrong side of one of the pieces before sewing them together.

• Adjust the measurements for different sized cushions.

• Be sure to account for all pins and needles around beds and carpeting.