How to Make Chair Cushions Using 2 Inch Foam

Chair cushions come in many different styles and colors. A kitchen dinette set or a porch seat can be dressed up with the addition of removable cushions. You can make cushions using 2-inch foam for a fraction of the cost of those purchased at retail stores. You can even recycle 2-inch mattress foam pads for the cushion fillers. Use colors coordinated to your décor and give your chairs a whole new look.

Things You'll Need

• Fabric
• 2-inch thick foam
• Tape measure
• Scissors
• Straight pins
• Paper for pattern
• Thread
• Sewing machine
• Bias tape in contrasting or coordinating colors

Instructions

1. Measure the length and width of the top of your chair seat. Write down this measurement. Add 2-inches to both measurements and write down.

2. Draw on paper a rectangle, square or circle, depending on your chair seat shape to the measurements plus 2 inches of your chair seat.

3. Cut out this pattern.

4. Fold the fabric with right sides touching. Pin the pattern to the fabric. Cut out the pieces.

5. Sew around the edges using a 1-inch seam allowance, leaving a 10-inch gap on one of the sides. Turn the cover inside out.

6. Cut the foam to the exact measurements of the top of your chair seat (do not add 2 inches).

7. Fold the foam so it fits through the 10-inch gap and place flat into position within the chair cushion cover.

8. Hand-sew the gap closed.

9. Cut two pieces, each 10 inches long, of bias tape for the chair ties.

10. Fold each piece of bias tape in half.

11. Pin the center of the folded bias tape to the corner or "back" (wherever you designate) of your cushion and sew into place.

12. Repeat for the other piece of bias tape on the other back corner or "back" of cushion. If your cushion is circular you will need to position your chair cushion onto the chair and determine the best place to sew the two ties.

Tips & Warnings

• Fabric or same-colored large buttons can be hand sewn in four places using a strong button thread. To add a ruffle on your cushions, cut a strip of fabric 8 inches wide multiplied by double the measurement around your chair seat. Fold the strip over, wrong sides of the fabric touching, and gather. Sew the gathered edge between the cushion cover top and bottom, with the ruffle touching the right sides of the fabric and the gathered edge viewed between the top and bottom edges. When you turn it inside out, the ruffle will be between the cushion cover fabric.