How to Create Furniture Replacement Cushions

Making the Cushion

• 1

  Put the old cushion on the furniture and make sure it fits. Measure the length and width of the old cushion. Make any adjustments to the measurements to create a cushion that will fit, if this one does not. Subtract ½-inch from the length and width measurements to make room for the foam batting and fabric. Buy a piece of 5-inch-thick high-density foam at an upholstery supply store or a sewing store. Have the store cut it to your dimensions.

• 2

  Take the measurements for the length and width of the high-density foam base and cut two rectangles of extra-loft foam batting to those dimensions. Add the measurements for the length and width of the foam and multiply by two. Cut one 5-inch-wide piece of extra-loft batting that equals that measurement (which is the same as the distance around the side of the foam).

• 3

  Apply a light coat of spray adhesive to the top of the foam piece. Lay a corresponding piece of batting on top of the foam and press down so that it adheres. Cover the bottom and sides of the foam with extra-loft foam batting following the same procedure.

Making the Cushion Cover

• 4

  Lay out your fabric on your work surface. Cut two rectangles the same size as your original measurements of your cushion (before you subtracted the ½-inch) plus 1-1/4 inches in each dimension. If your original width measurement was 28 inches, for example, make the width of the fabric for the cushion cover 29 1/4 inches. The extra fabric accounts for the seam allowance, which is the distance between the raw edges of the fabric and the seam you will sew to join two pieces of fabric. For this project, the seam allowance is 5/8-inch. To cut the fabric to cover the sides of the cushion, take your original measurements for the width and length of the cushion and multiply by two. Add 1 1/4 inches, then cut a strip of fabric that long and 6 1/4 inches wide.

• 5

  Pin the two ends of the long strip of fabric together with the right sides together using straight pins placed 2 inches apart perpendicular to the edges of the fabric. The right side of the fabric is the side you will see when the cushion cover is finished. Sew a seam 5/8-inch in from the raw edges of the fabric using a sewing machine.

• 6

  Pin the loop of fabric to the top of the cushion cover, going around all four sides. The right sides of the fabric should be facing each other. Sew the loop of fabric to the top of the cushion cover. Attach the loop of fabric to the bottom of the cushion cover the same way, but leave a gap of 18 inches along one side.

• 7

  Turn the cushion cover inside out (which is actually right side out). Put the batting-covered foam cushion into the cushion cover through the gap you left. Sew the opening closed with a needle and thread. Hand-sew the opening together using a needle and thread.