D.I.Y.

DIY Bench Cushion Cover

May 8, 2021

Let’s be honest here. I am not the world’s best sewer. Having not picked up a sewing machine since home economics in the 8th grade, I was incredibly nervous adventuring into this. I did know, like most DIY adventures I take on, this DIY bench cushion cover would save a ton of money if I figured out a way to do it myself. So that was my goal, and I’m so proud of the way this DIY bench cushion cover turned out.

I didn’t do this alone. I was resourceful in my youtube video hunting. I also used inspiration from the Wild Flower Home Blog (who has a no sew option), but in the end, I opted for the way that made the most sense to me to make this cushion cover.

What made the most sense to me was to dumb this down and make it into a beginner level for my minimal sewing brain.

Here we go my instructions for the MOST beginner-friendly DIY bench cushion cover ever.

My Cushion Cover Inspo

For this cushion cover, I wanted an overstuffed look. Think RH cloud couch vibes – the name of the RH couch says it all: I wanted it to look like a pillowy (yes, this is a word … in my world anyways) cloud that was so inviting you couldn’t help yourself.

I also wanted some durability here. Our mudroom is well used. It’s the entrance we use as the main entrance for the family, where all of the sandy, wet clothes come after an afternoon in the park. It needed to be machine washable and zip off.

My last must-have was that we needed something other than white/light neutrals – I’m pretty sure based on the above, I don’t need to explain why a white cushion cover wouldn’t work.

One thing is for sure based on this before and after, the space desperately needed this facelift.

Make Your Own DIY Bench Cushion Cover

Materials You Need:

+ foam (cut 2″ shorter than the length and width you need) – I used 3″ thick foam, but if I did it again, I would opt for 2 and add more batting for a more pillowy look.
+ batting – I don’t even know what kind of batting there was, but I got it from the same shop I got from the foam store. I would suggest wrapping it twice in batting.
+ Spray glue that works on foam and fabric
+ Fabric of your choice in the size that will fit around your foam + batting (batting adds 2-4 inches of additional height, length, width, depending on how much you intend to use)
+ All things sewing-related, a machine, pins, needle, thread, a zipper that is long enough to accompany your cushion cover.
+ Patience

Instructions:

Before I get into the complete instructions for your cushion cover, I wanted to run through some tips for you:
+ if you need to cut your foam, use an electric turkey carver if you have one. A drywall saw is a great alternative. So is a bread knife.
+ if you are a professional seamstress or simply above level 2/10, you probably have a better way of doing this.
+ If you want a different way to do it, as I mentioned, Wild Flower Home took a different approach, so I would suggest checking hers out.
+ If you’re adding a zipper, make sure you sew it on the OUTSIDE of the fabric, but the zipper upside down. Not the inside. When you flip it right side up, it will hide most of the zipper portion and be perfect.

1. Wrap your batting around your foam to test it out. Sit on it, measure it in your space, make sure you’re happy with it.
2. Spray your glue onto the foam and the batting. Wrap your batting around the foam until it is a tight fit. You may need to use clamps to hold it together. You may need to use gravity. If you’re using gravity, ensure that you’re protecting the floors in the event glue is over the edge. Furthermore, lift the foam and batting to ensure the glue isn’t sticking to whatever you’re protecting your floors with (a drop cloth, for example).
3. Wrap your fabric around your foam. Put the two open sides at the part of your cushion that will be facing the wall. Measure 1-inch of additional fabric on either side and cut. If your fabric permits ironing, iron an inch of fabric on either opening. You want the top of the fabric to be folded over the bottom. Measure where your zipper will go and pin the zipper upside down onto the folded-over-top portion of your fabric (yes, zipper is upside down, but fabric is right side up – it’s confusing, but it works). Using a zipper foot, sew your zipper onto the piece of fabric. My zipper left 2″ open on either side of the cushion cover.
4. Once your zipper is sewn on, have your fabric inside out and place it around the cushion – make sure the zipper is placed in the exact spot you will want it. Zip it up (if you can). And pin the rest of the unsewn areas together, so your cushion cover is tight. You’re sewing it together like a pillowcase. Straight line, two sides, plus closing the zipper side.
5. Unzip your zipper, and remove the cushion cover from the foam/batting. With the zipper still unzipped, sew each side together. Sew together the zipper side where there are those two 2″ openings as well.
6. Flip your cushion cover back to the right side out, and voila! You have sewn yourself a super simple pillowy, cloud-like cushion cover! Place over your cushion, and away you go!