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How to Make a Pillowed Bench

A bench is a sturdy and practical piece of seating, however, not always the most comfortable. If you want to make a comfortable bench, adding a bench pillow is the best way to go about it. Even if your bench is intended for outdoor use, a pillow can be removable, so inclement weather will not be a problem. Making your own pillowed bench doesn't require master carpentry or sewing skills, so almost anyone can attempt the project with confidence.

Things You'll Need

  • 4 planks 2-by-8-by-20 inch lumber
  • 4 planks 2-by-4-by-18 inch lumber
  • 2 planks 2-by-12-by-48 inch lumber
  • 150-grit sandpaper
  • 16 deck screws, 2-1/2 inch
  • Drill
  • 12 lag bolts, 3 inch long and accompanying washers
  • Wood stain or varnish or paint
  • Paintbrush
  • 1 foam pillow form, 4-inch thick by 24 inches wide and 48 inches long
  • Fabric
  • Scissors
  • Sewing machine
  • Long zipper
  • Pins
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Instructions

  1. Making The Bench

    • 1

      Sand all the bench components, which include: four pieces of 2-by-8 inch lumber, 20 inches long for the legs of the bench, four 2-by-4 pieces at 18 inches long for the leg braces and two planks of 48-inch-long 2-by-12 for the seat of the bench.

    • 2

      Place two legs onto the work table with the inner edges 2-inches apart. Place a leg brace piece over the top of the legs, flush with the top and sides of the legs. Drill two pilot holes sized for 2-1/2 inch deck screws through the brace into each leg. Turn the legs over and attach another brace to the other side in the same manner.

    • 3

      Repeat with the remaining leg and leg brace planks. Stand both sets of legs upright, with the braces at the top spaced 40 inches apart.

    • 4

      Place the two seat pieces over the top of the legs, with an inch space between them. Drill four pilot holes sized for 3-inch lag bolts through each seat plank into each of the leg braces. Place washers over the holes, then secure the seat to the legs with lag bolts.

    • 5

      Follow the stain or varnish manufacturer's recommended application method and drying times for staining or varnishing the bench and leave to dry.

    Making the Bench Pillow

    • 6

      Cut two pieces of material to 26-by-50 inches for the top and bottom panel of the bench pillow. Cut two lengths of fabric to 6-by-50 inches for the long sides of the pillow (welting) and two lengths to 6-by-26 inches for the short sides of the welting.

    • 7

      Fold all the pieces of fabric over into a double 1/4 inch seam, so that all the raw edges of the fabric is encased. Sew the seams using a straight stitch on a sewing machine.

    • 8

      Pin the 6-inch edges of the welting pieces of fabric to form a rectangle, wrong side of the fabric outwards. Sew together with straight stitch on the sewing maching.

    • 9

      Place the top panel wrong-side up and pin the welting all around the edges and sew together with a double flat stitch. Repeat with the bottom panel, only pinning a zipper along one long side between the welting and the bottom panel before sewing.

    • 10

      Open the zipper and turn the pillow in the right way before inserting the pillow form into the cover. Close the zipper and place the pillow on top of your bench.

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Next:

Chairs
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  2. How to Make a Dining Bench
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