The following three sections describe how to measure, create and improve your patio bench cushions. Read on to learn more.
Section 1: Measuring a Bench Cushion:
A measuring tape of yard stick will help greatly in the following steps. Begin by taking measurements of the length and width of your current bench. Many manufacturers build cushions in increments of 1/2 inch, so you need to round up or down to the next half-inch if you land anywhere in between. If you have an old cushion which is to be replaced, feel free to measure the cushion instead of the bench. Next, determine how thick you want your new patio bench cushion to be, either by measuring the old one or eyeballing the desired thickness on the bench surface, measuring in 1-inch increments. If you will be using both seat and back bench cushions, remember to subtract the thickness of the seat cushion from the width of the back cushion to obtain a correct measurement.
Section 2: Making Your Own Bench Cushions:
Bench cushions are made using pieces of foam placed within a weather-resistant fabric exterior. To start, you will need to obtain a piece of foam with the desired consistency and thickness. Next, it needs to be cut into a rectangular shape which matches the profile for the bench seat (you can use the measurements you found in Section 1). Be sure to allow for a bit of extra space for the thickness of the fabric, especially at the seams. To create raised edges, you need to use a material called cording, which is a small tube which the fabric gets wrapped around. Wrap the chosen fabric for the bench around a length of cord and glue it down. The cord needs to be sewn onto the edges of the fabric rectangles before everything is sewn together. After lying all of the pieces out, you can begin sewing them together. Sew inside-out, leaving a hole at the end for the foam. Sew up the end and you will have a completed bench cushion.
Section 3: Preventing Cushion Slippage:
To prevent your bench cushions from slipping around, especially on wooden benches, you can use non-slip material adhered to the bottom of the cushion or simply set on the surface of the bench. This material, which is used in cabinets and drawers, is designed to grip surfaces and prevent slipping. It can be permanently adhered to the bottom of the cushion when creating one from scratch. Many store-bought cushions have a version of this material on them.
- Learn about outdoor furniture cushions.
- Learn about kitchen chair cushions.
- Return to Wood Outdoor Furniture.
