Easy Bench Cushion

SUPPLIES & TOOLS:

• 1/2" plywood, 16" (seat width) x length of bench seat
• 1 1/2" dowel, length of bench
• Foam: 1" thick x 12" (back height) x length of bench, 1
• 2" thick x 16" (seat width) x length of bench, 1
• Staple gun
• 5/16" staples
• Scissors
• 2' quilter's rule
• Fine marker
• Sewing machine
• Thread
• Vinyl
• Seat: size of plywood + 4" (2 x foam thickness), + 4" (2" either side to wrap around to plywood)
• Back: 1 piece (front): size of back foam + 2" (1/2" for seam allowance x 2 + 1" for thickness of foam)
• 1 piece (back top): 2/3 back height + 4" x foam length + 2"
• 1 piece (back bottom): 1/3 back height + 4" x foam length + 2"
• Straps: 4 1/2"x 7", 2
• Batting, same size as vinyl for seat
• 3/4" Velcro®, color match vinyl, length of back cushion x 2"

DIRECTIONS:

SEAT

1. Lay out vinyl WS up on a flat surface. Use a marker and rule to locate the size of the bench seat centered on the vinyl back.
2. Lay batting on top of vinyl lining up the edges. Lay the foam then add the plywood on top of the batting. Lift the edges of batting to locate the foam and plywood in the center.
3. Staple the batting to the top side of the plywood. Start by stapling the center points of all sides. Pull the batting to tighten to the foam. This will keep the foam centered as other staples are applied. Staple the batting to the plywood, every 3", down both long sides keeping the batting tight to the foam.
4. At the corners, fold the long side batting under the end batting, fold at an angle and staple on the back. This will only catch part of the corner batting. See photo.
5. Fold the remaining corner batting to create a fold that runs along the corner of the foam and plywood, top to bottom. Staple batting to the plywood. Repeat for all four corners. Staple the loose batting on the ends onto the plywood.
6. Repeat the same process for the vinyl with staples every 2".

BACK STRAPS

7. On the back of each strap vinyl, mark a line 2 7/8" from one long edge, down the length. Fold the 2 7/8" side edge over to the line. Fold the other side over top. Sew 1/4" from both long edges. Repeat for all straps.
8. Fold each strap over the create a loop. Baste the raw ends together 1/4" from the ends. Pin raw ends of straps to one long side of back/front panel RST. Locate outer two straps 2" from short ends. Locate other two straps equally spaced between the outer two straps. Sew 1/2" from edges.
9. Fold over one long side of back top panel 1" and double stitch. Repeat for back bottom panel. Lay out flat back top panel WS up. Lay back bottom panel WS up on top overlapping the folded edges. Adjust panels to the size of the back front panel. Locate Velcro between the two panels along the folded edges. Sew Velcro to panels.
10. Pin the back front panel to the back top and bottom panel RST, lining up the corners. Mark a point at each corner 1/2" in from each side. This will be the mark to turn when sewing. Sew 1/2" seam allowance. Turn RSO. Insert 1" foam through Velcro opening.
11. Hang back panel onto dowel.