Learn how to sew a DIY custom chair cushion with ties for any wooden chair in your home with this easy-to-follow sewing tutorial.
A few years ago I thrifted the perfect wooden chair for my refinished antique desk for a whopping $5! I spent time refinishing and bringing it back to its beautiful self and I’m so happy with how it turned out. I use my desk for a variety of things, including sewing, which means I sometimes sit in that chair for a good amount of time. And while it’s not the most uncomfortable chair there ever was, it definitely needed a chair pad/cushion to make it more comfortable. This tutorial will show you how to make a DIY chair cushion that is custom to your specific chair or chairs. This project uses only a few inexpensive materials and can be made in a matter of an hour or two! Adding custom cushions to your dining chairs, kitchen chairs, desk chair, or whatever chair you have adds an extra special touch and can help to bring a space together.
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YouTube Video Tutorial
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FAQs
What type of fabric is best for making seat cushions?
You can use any kind of fabric you’d like, including outdoor fabric, extra fabric you have on hand, fabric that’s thrifted, et cetera. For this project, I used a cotton seersucker fabric I found on Mercari. I love to use thrifted fabric any time I can, but I also love to shop the sales at places like Joann Fabrics and Hobby Lobby.
Do I have to use a mattress topper to make a chair cushion?
You don’t have to use a mattress topper for these cushions, instead swap the mattress topper for foam you find at the craft store, although the mattress topper is cheaper. You could also just use Poly-Fil and no foam at all. Another option is to reuse an old cushion.
How long does it take to make your own chair cushions?
Depending on your skill level, this project takes about 1-2 hours from start to finish for one cushion. If you’re making multiple chair cushions, I recommend an assembly line approach where you create a template with the mattress topper and use that to cut out all the foam and main fabric. I’d then cut out and make all the cushion ties, pin them to the main fabric, then sew, stuff and finish.
How to Sew a DIY Custom Chair Cushion with Ties
Tools You May Need:
- Sewing machine
- Sewing gauge
- Sewing needle
- Iron and ironing board
- Fabric tape measure
- Pins
- Scissors
- Cutting mat and rotary cutter (optional)
- Yarn needle
Materials Needed:
- 1 yard fabric of choice (I used cotton seersucker fabric)
- Poly-Fil
- Mattress topper
- Coordinating thread
- Tailor’s chalk or marker
- Yarn thread
Directions
How to Make the Main Cushion Piece
Place the mattress foam topper on top of the seat of the chair. Then, using a pair of scissors cut around, ensuring the foam covers the entire seat. I recommend placing the side of the scissors up against the chair to get the closest cut.
Fold the fabric in half, right sides together, then place the foam pad template on top and measure 1″ from the edge of the foam and mark all the way around, connecting all the marks with the tailor’s chalk.
Pin the fabric together, then cut the fabric out and set aside.
How to Make the Ties
For the ties, cut four pieces of fabric that is 2 inches wide by 10 inches long. If you need longer or shorter ties, adjust the length accordingly.
Fold one long edge of the tie up half an inch and press, then fold the other long side of the tie up to the middle and press. Fold the tie in half along the long edge again and pin.
Line the folded edge of the fabric up with the edge of the presser foot and sew the open edge closed.
Assembling the Chair Cushion
Determine where the ties need to be placed in order to tie onto the chair, then pin each tie in place, ensuring they are sandwiched in between the two main cushion pieces.
Sew all around the the outside of the cushion with a straight stitch using a 1/2 inch seam allowance, leaving a 6-8″ opening on the bottom.
Trim the raw edges with pinking shears or regular scissors, leaving about 1/4 inch and turn the fabric right side out, making sure to push out the corners.
Insert the cut out piece of foam into the case. It will be a tight fit, but should be a perfect fit.
Add Poly-Fil into the cushion on top of foam to the desired thickness.
Use a ladder stitch to hand sew the opening of the fabric.
How to Add Tufts to a Seat Cushion
To add tufts, measure the width of the fabric and the length of the fabric. Divide each number by four.
Measure in from the left, then down from the top and make a mark. Repeat for the right side on the top, then on the bottom (right and left).
Thread yarn thread onto a yarn needle and push the needle down through the hole and out the bottom.
Push the needle back up through the bottom hole and through the top. Push the needle back down through the cushion about 1/4″ to the right of the original hole.
On the bottom edge of the cushion, pull the two ends of the yarn tight and tie a couple of knots. Repeat for the other three marks.
Place the cushion on the chair seat and tie it to the back of the chair.
Notes
- It’s important to make the foam the shape of your seats as it’s a template for the rest of the project.
- To ensure the proper length of ties, use some yarn or string to plan it out prior to cutting the fabric.
- You do not need to add the tufts, but I like the look it gives. You could also use small buttons to make it more decorative.
- You can machine wash these cushion covers, but I recommend spot cleaning.
DIY Custom Chair Cushion
Learn how to sew a DIY custom chair cushion with ties for any wooden chair in your home with this easy-to-follow sewing tutorial.
Materials
- 1 yard fabric of choice (I used cotton seersucker fabric)
- PolyFil
- Mattress topper
- Coordinating thread
- Tailor's chalk or marker
- Yarn thread
Tools
- Iron and ironing board
- Sewing machine
- Sewing gauge
- Sewing needle
- Fabric tape measure
- Pins
- Scissors
- Cutting mat and rotary cutter (optional)
- Yarn needle
Instructions
How to Make the Main Cushion Piece
- Place the mattress foam topper on top of the seat of the chair. Then, using a pair of scissors cut around, ensuring the foam covers the entire seat. I recommend placing the side of the scissors up against the chair to get the closest cut.
- Fold the fabric in half, right sides together, then place the foam pad template on top and measure 1" from the edge of the foam and mark all the way around, connecting all the marks with the tailor's chalk.
- Pin the fabric together, then cut the fabric out and set aside.
How to Make the Ties
- For the ties, cut four pieces of fabric that is 2 inches wide by 10 inches long. If you need longer or shorter ties, adjust the length accordingly.
- Fold one long edge of the tie up half an inch and press.
- Fold the other long side of the tie up to the middle and press.
- Fold the tie in half along the long edge again and pin.
- Line the folded edge of the fabric up with the edge of the presser foot and sew the open edge closed.
Assembling the Chair Cushion
- Determine where the ties need to be placed in order to tie onto the chair, then pin each tie in place, ensuring they are sandwiched in between the two main cushion pieces.
- Sew all around the outside of the cushion with a straight stitch using a 1/2 inch seam allowance, leaving a 6-8" opening on the bottom.
- Trim the raw edges with pinking shears or regular scissors, leaving about 1/4 inch and turn the fabric right side out, making sure to push out the corners.
- Insert the cut out piece of foam into the case. It will be a tight fit, but should be a perfect fit.
- Add Poly-Fil into the cushion on top of foam to the desired thickness.
- Use a ladder stitch to hand sew the opening of the fabric.
How to Add Tufts to a Seat Cushion
- To add tufts, measure the width of the fabric and the length of the fabric. Divide each number by four.
- Measure in from the left, then down from the top and make a mark. Repeat for the right side on the top, then on the bottom (right and left).
- Thread yarn thread onto a yarn needle and push the needle down through the hole and out the bottom.
- Push the needle back up through the bottom hole and through the top. Push the needle back down through the cushion about 1/4" to the right of the original hole.
- On the bottom edge of the cushion, pull the two ends of the yarn tight and tie a couple of knots. Repeat for the other three marks.
- Place the cushion on the chair seat and tie it to the back of the chair.
Notes
- It's important to make the foam the shape of your seats as it's a template for the rest of the project.
- To ensure the proper length of ties, use some yarn or string to plan it out prior to cutting the fabric.
- You do not need to add the tufts, but I like the look it gives. You could also use small buttons to make it more decorative.
- You can machine wash these cushion covers, but I recommend spot cleaning.
Looking for more easy sewing projects or a free sewing pattern?
Looking for more easy sewing projects like this custom chair cushion? Check these out:
- How to Sew a Sofa Topper
- How to Sew Reusable Fabric Bowl Covers
- DIY Reusable Linen Bread Bags
- How to Make a Reusable Rice Heating Pad
Did you try making a DIY chair cushion? If you did, I’d really love to see it. Tag me on Instagram (@thesimplehomeplace) to show me your own recreation of this tutorial!
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