Chair seat cushions are not just for aesthetics. They provide meaningful comfort and support, which is especially important when you’re spending most of your day sitting in one place.
We all know how uncomfortable wooden chairs can be after a while. That’s why we’ve created this guide to teach you how to make seat cushions for wooden chairs.
From fabric types and filling options to the various kinds of sewing techniques, this post will give you all the information you need to know on How To Make Seat Cushions For Wooden Chairs: The Ultimate Guide.
Related article: How to Transport Beach Chairs.
Why you need to make seat cushions for wooden chairs
In our work environment, we don’t have a lot of options for sitting – either we sit on a chair or a bench.
Chairs are more comfortable because they provide a little more support and padding, especially if you make seat cushions for wooden chairs.
One thing you’ll notice about office chairs is that they don’t have any cushioning on the seats. This means your butt will start to hurt from sitting in one place for too long.
You might also notice that your tailbone starts to ache as well as you’re sitting up straight all day. This is because you’re not getting the right amount of support from those hard surfaces.
Having seat cushions for wooden chairs can help alleviate those aches and pains that come with sitting all day long in uncomfortable seating. They can even improve posture!
The fabric you’ll need
The type of fabric you use will determine the type of filling you’ll need. For this project, we recommend ticking or heavy cotton linen.
Ticking is a heavy cotton fabric, making it sturdy enough to stand up to the weight of the stuffing inside.
It also has a comfortable texture that provides some cushioning against hard wooden seats, so it’s perfect for this project. It comes in many different colors and prints, so you can choose what fits your needs best.
Heavy cotton linen is another great choice for this project because it is durable and breathable.
This means that it will hold up well to repeated use and allow air to circulate between your body and the seat cushion, preventing sweat build-up on hot days.
Plus, these fabrics come in many different colors and prints as well, so it’s easy to find one that works for your space.
Choosing the right filling for your seat cushions
There are many different kinds of filling to choose from, and choosing the right one will depend on the chair’s dimensions.
You’ll want to measure the height, width, and depth of your chair before deciding on the best filling.
The most popular type of filling is polyester fiberfill (PFF). It provides a bit more cushion than wool batting, but it is less expensive and easier to maintain.
A good middle-of-the-road choice is cotton batting or 100% wool batting. If you need some serious padding for a very hard chair, then foam rubber or 100% polyester fiberfill would be the best option.
Aside from the kind of filling you’ll want to use for your chair cushions, you also have to think about weight.
If your chairs are lightweight enough to be carried around without too much effort, then you can use some lighter fillings that will still provide some cushioning for comfort.
If your chairs are heavy or need to stay in one place, then using heavier fillings would be better – either polyester fiberfill or foam rubber.
It’s also important to note that any kind of stuffing will lose its shape over time with constant use and will eventually break down, so make sure you keep this in mind when choosing your seating filler.
Sewing Techniques for Making Seat Cushions
Sewing seat cushions for your wooden chairs is not difficult. You will need to assemble the fabric and filling of your choice, then sew the cushion together using a straight stitch on your sewing machine.
In order to make a 16-inch by 16-inch square, you’ll need two pieces of fabric with dimensions of 16″ by 16″, as well as a piece of batting or foam cut to those dimensions.
Pull the batting tight and lay it on top of one piece of the fabric. Place the second piece of fabric over the first, matching up all four corners, then pin them in place.
Place pins at different points along the edges to ensure they stay together. Sew around all four edges with a straight stitch on your sewing machine, leaving an opening on one side for turning it right-side out.
Trim any excess batting or fabric from around the stitching line so that you have a clean edge.
Turn the cushion right-side out through the opening and press it flat with a hot iron if desired before closing up the opening with a sewing machine or hand stitches so that it lies flat against the chair’s surface.
Stuffed seat cushions
The most popular type of seat cushions are the stuffed kind. This is because it’s easy to customize them to your own liking. First, buy the fabric you want for your seat cushion.
If you don’t have a specific color in mind, white fabric is usually a good option. You can also consider patterns or prints if you want to spice up your chair.
Next, decide on the filling you want inside the seat cushion. There are many options here, but polyester fiberfill is usually one of the best choices for comfort and easy cleaning.
Last but not least, cut out two pieces of fabric that are slightly larger than your wooden chair seat. Line up the edges so they’re even with each other and sew them together using a 1-inch seam allowance all around.
After this, stuff one piece of fabric inside the other so it creates a cylindrical shape with an opening at one end that can be tucked into your wooden chair seat.
Sew this end shut with another 1-inch seam allowance and then snip off any excess material from both ends of the cushion to make sure there aren’t any loose threads poking out.
This will ensure that it stays securely in place while you’re sitting on it.
Sewing without stuffing
If you don’t want to add stuffing to your cushion, sewing without stuffing is the best option for you.
This technique is perfect for those who don’t want to add any extra bulk to their seat cushions. To do this, simply sew two pieces of fabric together and create a “tube” of sorts.
Then, slip one end of the tube over the wooden chair and poke the other end through the hole in the chair, creating a loop.
This way, you can thread a tie or some kind of fastener through either end of the loop and pull it tight to secure it.
When you’re finished, just pull on each side of the loop and pull up on each side of the fabric until it reaches desired firmness. A few knots on either end will help keep everything in place.
How to attach the seat cushion to the chair
Before you begin assembling your seat cushions, measure the chair and cut a piece of fabric to cover the seat.
The first step is to attach the fabric to the bottom of the chair. If you’re using staples, make sure you place them in hidden areas; if not, be sure to hand-stitch to make it look nice.
Next, place the cushion on top of the fabric. You can either sew or staple it in place for easy removal later. The cushion will be thicker than the fabric because it will need filling; this is why you want it on top.
This is where you can decide whether or not you want an opening for filling (just like with throw pillows). If so, then leave about 1 inch of fabric all around and stitch or staple that off.
This way, when it’s time for refilling, all you have to do is undo one side and remove all of the old filling before refilling with new stuffing.
For closure without an opening, simply sew or staple along all four edges around the cushion itself to create a clean finish.
FAQS
What is the best fabric for a seat cushion?
So, what kind of fabric should you use for your seat cushions? That depends on the desired look. For a more casual look, cotton is a good option. Linen gives a more sophisticated vibe and velvet creates an elegant look. The best way to figure out which material will work best for you is to take into account the style of chair that you are using.
What’s the best filling for my seat cushion?
The type of filling that you want to use in your seat cushion will be determined by how much padding you need. The most common options are foam, down feathers, or buckwheat hulls. Buckwheat hulls are less expensive than foam or down feathers but also offer less padding. Down feathers offer lots of padding but can cost significantly more than other fillings. Foam is another popular option because it offers nice padding without breaking the bank.
What sewing technique should I use?
The sewing technique that you use will largely depend on the type of fabric that you choose to sew with. If you want to create an intricate design with your sewing machine, then decorative stitches like backstitch would work well with woven fabrics like cotton or linen; zigzag stiches work well with stretchy fabrics like twill; and straight stitches work well with heavy-weight fabrics like wool or denim prints (though they may come out looking sloppy). But if your goal is simply
Conclusion
The seat cushions are an important part of the chair. They make the seat more comfortable with the right amount of padding.
You can make seat cushions in a variety of ways. You can make them out of your favorite fabrics, or you can make them out of a foam material.
Whichever way you choose, you should be able to find a seat cushion that suits your needs.
With a little knowledge and creativity you should be able to make a seat cushion that is both comfortable and decorative.
