How to Cover a Bench Cushion with Fabric (No Sew)

Today I am going to show you how to cover a bench cushion with fabric (no-sew) and share an inspiring example done by my dear friend Deb.

Typically if a project involves a tool other than my sewing machine, I am somewhat intimidated.

This project does involve a staple gun, but it is ridiculously easy, fast, and inexpensive. You can do it!

Click here for More Cushion Projects

Seat Cushion Ideas and Inspiration

For your fabric inspiration and some overall cushion basics, here are other kinds of cushion projects on my site.

How To Make A Cushion Cover For A Chair
DIY Bench Seat Cushion Cover Tutorial
How To Make Chair Or Bar Stool Cushions
DIY Bench Cushion Cover

Okay, are you properly inspired? Let’s get started!

Supplies

Here are the materials you will need to cover your seat or bench pad.
(Affiliate links are below in teal.)

Fabric
Foam
Base Board
Batting optional
Rotary Cutter or Fabric Scissors 
Staple Gun
Screwdriver
Pliers
Hammer optional

Instructions for Covering a Bench with Fabric

Below are the steps to covering a cushion in order.

Remove Old Upholstery

If you are reupholstering a seat, you will probably need a Phillips or flat screwdriver, pliers, and possibly a staple remover.

Turn the chair or bench over so you can remove the hardware and disconnect the upholstered top from the base.

With a screwdriver, take out the screws and place them in a place you will remember.

Then, use pliers or a staple remover to remove any remaining hardware holding the top in place.

Remove the worn layers that you will be replacing. Follow below for the parts you need to restore.

Cut a Wooden Base

First, you’ll need a wood base if you do not have one. Cut it with an electric saw to fit your seat. Three-quarter-inch plywood works great.

Cut your High-Density Foam

Next, foam! If you do not have the foam cushion already, cut yours to size.

You can cut your poly foam to size using an electric knife, scissors, or a bandsaw.

There are two styles I explain below.

Top-Sitting Cushion

For the style of the seat where the foam cushion sits completely on top of the base, cut the foam slightly larger than the wood base.

Making the foam larger adds extra side softness and protection of edges.

A good measurement is making it approximately one-quarter-inch larger than your wood base on all four sides.

Wrap around Cushion Style Cushion

Alternatively, if you are using a thinner foam cushion, for example, under 1/4 inch high, you may choose to wrap that around the edges and staple it underneath the wood base.

If so, follow the directions below for stapling on the batting using the foam layer. It is an identical process.

Cut out your Batting and Fabric

If you are reupholstering, use the existing pieces as size templates for your newly cut pieces.

Cut your fabric and batting to the original size unless you see a need to change it.

If you are starting from scratch, cut your fabric and batting to fit your cushion, plus the other materials it will wrap around.

You’ll need to measure the stack height (wood base + batting + foam cushion), so you know how wide your perimeter will be.

For the batting, I like to leave a margin of the TOTAL HEIGHT of the stack PLUS a minimum of 2 INCHES to wrap around to the bottom wood base.

For the fabric, I typically just 1/4 inch more than the batting.

You can always trim any extra batting or fabric later, but this gives you something to grab onto and securely staple.

If you’d like to fold under the raw edges of the fabric on the underside of the seat for a more finished look underneath, you may want to allow even more fabric.

With more experience, you may prefer less fabric, but if you are a beginner, more is better.

1 After cutting your fabric and batting pieces, place the fabric upside-down on your work table, then stack the batting, foam, and wood on top in that order.

Start Stapling

Now the moment of truth. 😃

Staple your Batting to the Wood Base

2 Have your staple gun ready. If you are using batting, first, position that in place.

You will need to staple that all around the cushion stack, keeping it and pulling it taut as you go.

Start with one staple in the center front, then one on the back.

Follow that with a staple in the center of each side before proceeding with staples on all four sides.

3 Then work outward from each center. Place a staple every inch or two until you reach the corners.

4 Finish the corners by stapling the fabric on both sides of the fold at a 45-degree angle.

Cut off any excess batting. Wrap the remaining batting over the corner and staple again.

Stapling your Fabric to the Wood Base

Next, for the fabric. If you have a directional print on your fabric, you should mark the front and back center before you begin to help keep it aligned.

Mark with a marker or cut a slit in the fabric to identify. This will mark will wrap around to the bottom and won’t be visible.

Measure your base to find centers, then align the center front and back to your cushion stack.

Start with the middle front of the cushion. Keeping fabric in place and secure underneath, wrap to the back and staple them to the bottom of the wood base.

You can also fold the raw ends and tuck them under if you want.

Staple the fabric across the front side. Stop stapling about 2 inches from each corner.

After the first side is stapled, tightly stretch the other side around, adjusting the tension where necessary.

Don’t be afraid to pull it a little tighter because after it is used, it will loosen up a bit.

Try to keep the tension the same all the way around the cushion.

Now do the same with both sides. Work from the middle of each side panel out to each corner.

Corners

Here are two methods for finishing your fabric corners.

Squared Cushion Corner

For a more squared-off style corner, pull one side across and tuck it down behind and under the other.

Kinda like tucking in a sheet on your bed…in reverse, though.😁

After you tuck one side in, tightly pull the other side up to the wood base.

Cautiously trim off excess fabric as you go to reduce bulk.

Play around with the fold until it is smooth—with a staple to secure it.

Clean up any other stray fabric ends by trimming or stapling down also.

Rounded Cushion Corner

To create a slightly more rounded corner, pull the squared corner diagonally up to the wood base and trim off the corner excess fabric with a straight or slightly arc-shaped cut.

Pull the center of the arc tightly up to the wood base and staple it down.

Next, pull each side, one at a time, over the top of the center, and stapling down, adjusting the fold as you go to get a smooth “pleated” finish.

Reattach the cushion to the base

Position the newly upholstered seat on your furniture piece.

Review all sides to be sure it is fitting correctly.

Turn the furniture over and screw the top and bottom together again.

Use Scotchgard to protect your new masterpiece!

Now you know how to cover a bench with fabric. And how EASY it really is!

Enjoy your new look!

xo,
Cindy

More Cushion DIY Projects

DIY Window Seat Cushion with an elastic, removable cover
No-Sew Chair or Bench Seat Cushion DIY fabric over a plywood base

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