How to Make a Leather Seat Top for a Bench

Adding a cushion to a piece of furniture gives new life to a found item or creates a new look for an existing item already in your home. Using leather to make a bench seat lends an air of sophistication and is easier to keep clean than other types of fabric because it can be wiped clean with a damp cloth. Your typical sewing machine may not be able to handle sewing leather. You may need an industrial-style machine or at the least, a heavy-duty needle for your machine.

Leather in your choice of color
Batting
Measuring tape
Thread
Sewing machine

Instructions

- 1
  Measure the length and width of the bench. Write down your measurements so that you can refer to them when you are cutting the leather.
- 2
  Roll out the leather right-side down. Do this on a clean floor to prevent it from getting scratched or damaged.
- 3
  Cut two pieces of leather. Be sure to add an additional inch to your recorded measurements, which leaves room for a seam. A pair of very sharp scissors will make a precise and even cut. If you are making a long cushion, you may want to have someone hold the tape measure on the leather so that you ensure a straight line.
- 4
  Pin the two pieces together, right sides in. Put the pins all the way around the cushion, which will keep the two pieces lined up and prevent an uneven seam.
- 5
  Make a 1/2-inch seam all the way around the cushion, leaving a 2-inch hole for stuffing. Use a thread color that matches the leather to disguise the seam.
- 6
  Stuff the cushion with batting. Use a stuffing stick to push the batting inside the cushion, and pack it tightly for a firm cushion or loosely for a softer cushion.
- 7
  Stitch the stuffing hole closed. Do this on the back of the cushion, which will hide it when it is placed on the bench.

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