How to Sew a Cushion on a Dining Chair

Measure the seat of your dining chair. Most dining chairs are approximately 16 1/2 inches on each side. As the size of the seat varies from different manufacturers, it is best to get an exact measurement.

Lay the fabric out, right side down, on a flat surface.

Draw the shape of the cushion you would like (square, trapezoid, round) on a piece of paper using the measurements of the chair seat to determine the size of the cushion. Add 2 inches to the measurements if you are using 1/2-inch foam and 3 inches if you are using 1-inch foam, to accommodate the foam and a 1/2-inch seam allowance.

Cut out this shape and place it, face down, on the fabric. Trace around the shape. Cut out the second shape.

Lay the foam out on a flat surface.

Lay one of the cut-out shapes, right side down, on the foam. Trace around the fabric. Cut out the foam.

Lay the two pieces of cut fabric together, right sides facing each other. Pin around the edges. Leave one side of the cushion cover open.

Stitch the three pinned sides of the cushion cover leaving a 1/2-inch seam allowance.

Turn the cushion cover right side out. Press seams flat.

Place the foam or filling inside the cushion cover.

Stitch the open end of the cushion cover closed, either by hand or by machine.

Place the cushion on the dining chair. Mark the places where the main back supports of the chair hit the cushion.

Fold a 20-inch length of ribbon and hand-stitch it to the back edge of the cushion at each of these marks.

Place the cushion on the dining chair. Tie the ribbons to the main back supports of the chair.