How to Make a Wooden Bead Seat Cushion
Wooden bead seat cushions can be added to any chair. Using a flat beading stitch and commonly found beading supplies, anyone can make his or her own. Give them as gifts or keep them for yourself. They provide added support for the back, ease aches and tension, help stimulate circulation, and allow air to circulate around the body, creating comfortable temperatures. A basic square cushion pattern will fit most chairs, but it can be altered as needed.
Things You'll Need
- Wood beads (medium to large)
- Nylon cording
- Elastic trim (medium to large width)
- Measuring tape
- Succors
Instructions
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1
Gather everything you need within easy reach. Use large-mouth bowls or containers to hold the beads for easy access. Decide how large and wide you want your seat to be and create a pattern on paper to guide you, especially if you want be creative with colors and patterns of bead work. This pattern uses 1-inch beads in a simple rectangle pattern (15-by-31-by-1 inch).
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2
Cut approximately 20 inches of cording. Knot one end and string 15 wooden beads onto it. Knot the other end. If you wish to double-thread the seat cushion, add another length of cording and string it through the beads in the opposite direction of the original thread (so there is a knot on each end). Repeat this step 31 times.
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3
Lay two rows of 15 beads horizontally.
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4
Cut approximately 4 feet of cording. Knot one end.
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5
Thread the cording through the first bead on one row. Thread the cording through the first bead of the second row. Thread the cording through the second bead of the second row. Thread it through the second bead on the first row. Thread the cording through the third bead on the first row. Thread the cording through the third bead of the second row. Repeat the threading pattern until all beads have been linked together.
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6
Add a new row. Continue the threading pattern in Step 5 until all 31 rows have been attached.
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7
Measure the elastic to the chair (all the way around from front to back) for both the seat back and the seat bottom (where your rear sits). This should lay flat and snugly without stretching.
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8
Cut the elastic to size and knot one end. Thread it through a few beads at one side, at one end, of the cushion. Thread the other end of the elastic through a few beads on the other end (creating a circle) and knot. Repeat this step on the opposite side of the cushion.
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Tips & Warnings
Use a clear, quick drying, permanent adhesive on the knots to help secure them. A small amount of adhesive can also be used where the elastic lays against the beads.
Double-threading is not necessary; however, it will make the cushion stronger and if one string of cording should break, it will prevent the entire cushion from unraveling.
Elastic or nylon cording that is UV resistant is highly recommended if the cushion will be used outdoors or near windows. Natural fiber cording looks nice, but be aware that it can fray and catch on skin and fabric and will not last as long as other types.
Waterproofing the elastic bands on cushions to be used outdoors is also recommended (waterproofing solutions are available at most craft stores and shoe stores. Follow the manufacturer's directions).
Cushions can be as decorative or plain as you like, by simply using different beads and cording. Try mixing colors or creating specific patterns with colors. Also, changing the numbers of beads on each row will create different cushion shapes.
