How to Make Puffy Style Cushions

Foam Shaping

• 1

  Make a pattern. Place the cardboard or newspaper on the surface of the chair or sofa seat. Trace the outline of the seat using a yardstick to ensure straightness.

• 2

  Transfer the pattern to the foam. Place the pattern on the foam while pressing the along the pattern edges with the ruler to flatten the foam.

• 3

  Slice through the pattern and foam along cutting lines. Set the pattern aside for later.

Stacking Puff

• 4

  Drizzle a small amount of craft glue on the top surface of the foam shape. This will keep the batting from shifting while working with the cushion.

• 5

  Attach the first layer of batting to the foam. There are three main, overstuffed styles. The first has all the puff on the top with straight sides where all the batting is only on the top. For this style, cut a rectangle or square of the batting that covers the the top of the foam and will be trimmed at the top edges of the foam. The second has puff on top and bottom with straight sides, in which the batting is only on the top and bottom of the foam. Treat both sides of the foam the same as the first, repeating everything for the bottom side. The third appears puffy on the top and bottom with a rounded front. Wrap the batting over the foam from the top rear, to over the front and to the bottom rear of the foam.

• 6

  Attach additional layers of batting. Follow the same procedure used for the first layer, adding only a small drizzle of glue between each layer of batting. The number of layers will vary according to the desired end effect and the loft value of the batting. When shopping, select a batting with a higher loft number that indicates a higher puffy thickness the batting.

• 7

  Trim the batting. Once all layers are in place trim the layers with a pair of scissors following the outlines of the foam shape.

Cushion Cover

• 8

  Measure the height of the foam and batting.

• 9

  Cut muslin from the pattern. Place the newspaper pattern over two layers of prewashed muslin cloth. Cut the pattern out allowing for not less than 1/4-inch seam allowance all the way around the pattern. For the cushion with the batting wrapped over the front edge, add half of the cushion's height to lengthen the pattern along the front edge. Place this edge along the fold to create one long section of muslin rather than the two used for other styles.

• 10

  Measure the total length of the sides. For the cushion with the puffy front, start at one front corner and measure around the back to the opposite front corner. For the other two styles continue around to the beginning corner.

• 11

  Cut a strip of muslin equal to the height and the length of the sides plus not less than 1/4-inch seam allowance.

• 12

  Sew the side strip to the top and bottom sides. Pin the muslin together at the seams with dressmaker's pins. Leave the width of the rear bottom seam open. Turn the cover right-side out. Squeeze and shove the foam and batting into the cover ensuring a good fit. Blanket stitch the opening. The muslin is only a simple cover for the cushion that will make it easier to install and remove from the final upholstered cover.