How to Make a Chair Cushion With Cording

Cording on a chair cushion adds style.

Upholstering some chairs with cushions requires working with springs, twine and webbing, but you can create a simple, square cushion for an upholstered easy or occasional chair with only some heavy fabric, cording and a square of foam pad. The project requires a sturdy sewing machine, especially if your fabric is very heavy, but most experienced sewers will be able to create a professional-looking corded cushion with just a little attention to detail.

Things You'll Need

• Scissors
• Sewing machine with zipper foot
• Pins
• Tape measure
• Fabric
• Foam rubber pad
• Cotton welt upholstery cording
• Heavy thread
• Upholstery needles

Instructions

1. Measure the old cushion, or the space where you want to place a cushion. Measure from front to back and side to side, then add an inch on each side for a seam allowance. Measure around all four sides of the cushion for the "boxing," or upright section of the cushion. Measure for width; then add an inch on each edge for the seam allowance, plus an inch on each end.

2. Cut out a paper pattern according to your measurements. Alternatively, use the pieces of the old cushion, if you have them, and they are in good condition.

3. Pin your pattern pieces to the fabric, placing them on the straight of the grain. Center any fabric design. Cut out the fabric top, bottom and boxing.

4. Cut the foam the size of your cushion plus ¼ inch. Foam rubber comes in 1- to 4-inch thicknesses.

5. Sew together the ends of the boxing piece. Measure and sew very accurately for a snug fit around the foam.

6. Place one of the lengths of cording just above the 1-inch mark along the inside edge of the boxing. Fold the edge over the cording, right-side out. Use a zipper foot on your machine, sewing very near the cording. Repeat on the other edge.

7. Place the cushion top on the cushion and fit the boxing around the edge, right-sides out. With the right side of the top and the folded-down edge of the boxing together, pin the boxing along the seamline of the top, arranging the cording along the edge of the foam. Remove the pinned-together fabric from the foam, turn it wrong-side out and stitch it close to the lower side of the cording. Ease the fabric around the corners to avoid pleats or puckers. Trim the sewn seams near the seamline and sew vertical notches in the corners.

8. Remove the fabric from the cushion and repeat the process with the bottom fabric piece. Mark the corners on the boxing to ensure you turn them at the same place on the top and bottom. Leave the back seam open and remove the pinned cushion cover from the foam. Sew the bottom cushion cover to the boxing close to the lower edge of the cording.

9. Stuff the foam back into the cushion cover and adjust it so the cording runs squarely along all four sides. Stitch the bottom back opening closed by hand using heavy thread. A curved needle works well, but a straight heavy-duty upholstery needle will also work.

Tips & Warnings

• For an occasional chair, ordinary fabric such as denim or twill will work for a cushion. For an overstuffed armchair, use upholstery fabric.

References

• Penn State: College of Agriculture: Upholstering a Chair