How To Make Cushions For Porch Rocking Chair

I spend a lot of time outdoors, either tending to my yard or sitting on the porch, sipping tea and reading a book!

The joy of being amidst nature is unbeatable. So, I go out of my way to create a comfortable environment for myself and my neighbors, who often join me for tea outside.

Rocking chairs are the perfect addition to your house and can soothe anyone with their gentle back-and-forth motion. Now, I had a splendid set of antique wooden rocking chairs that were pretty durable but not so comfortable. That’s right! Despite their looks and strength, comfort was a distant dream.

This had been bothering me for some time, and I was looking for ways to make my rocking chair cozy for longer durations. My husband suggested buying cushions, but I didn’t like the options I found online. So, I decided to go ahead and make cushions for the rocking chairs myself.

Hi there! I’m Stacy Smith. And today, I’ll tell you all about how to make cushions for porch rocking chair.

Without further ado, let’s get started!

How To Make Cushions For Porch Rocking Chair

Step 1: Design The Layout

The first step is to design the layout of the cushions. If you have old cushions, you can use them as samples. If not, make a template using brown paper bags.

Cut open the bag and place them on the chair seat, carefully covering the edges. Trace around the edges of the chair and trim away the extra paper. Now, you’ll have a template that you can use to create that personalized cushion.

Usually, people prefer rectangular or square cushions, but if you like round cushions, you can create a template of that too. All you have to do is carefully trace along the perimeter of the chair and cut the paper in the form of a circle.

However, I recommend you start with simpler patterns before going onto a more challenging one.

Step 2: Calculate The Required Foam

To make comfortable cushions, you’ll have to measure the width and length of the chair. The padding should be at least 1 to 1 ½ thicker than the depth of the seat for maximum comfort. If you want back cushions,  then measure the length and breadth of the backrest as well.

There are countless cushion fillings available, but foam remains the most popular option.

Since foam is pretty expensive, you don’t want to end up buying more than the quantity you’d need. Therefore, be careful while taking the measurements. For my chair, I used a 3-inch thick and a 2-inch thick layer for the seat and the back respectively.

Next, trace the prototype onto the foam using a permanent marker. With the help of a utility knife, cut out the foam.

Step 3: Choose The Material

The next step is choosing a material. Most people prefer cotton or polyester cushion covers since they are easy to clean. Although leather is more durable, it is difficult to sew and not suitable for hot summer days.

Once you’ve decided on a material, then the real task begins! Fold the fabric in half, and put the cushion foam on top, tracing carefully around it. Keep a 1-inch allowance on all sides of the material that’ll help in sewing later.

Pin the corners of the fabric together to keep it in place.

Step 4: Sew The Fabric

With the help of a marker pen, mark the sewing lines. Then, remove the foam and start sewing, removing the pins as you move along. Remember to sew the seam at least ½-inch away from the marker line. To get a neat finish, fold over the extra edges that you initially leave out and sew it together.

If you have butterfingers, sewing can get really complicated. But, you can still get a perfectly plush cushion for your rocking chair through the no-sew method. In this, you place the foam in the center of the chosen fabric and then wrap it around like you would wrap presents.

Fold the width of the material first, followed by the sides. Once this is done, use an adhesive to glue the fabric together and trim the extra edges for a neat finish.

Alternatively, you can use safety pins to hold the edges together. Pull taut the raw edges and pin them at the bottom. Then, flip the cushion over so that no one can see the safety pins.

Step 5: Attach The Cushions To The Chair

The next step is fixing the cushions onto the rocking chair. Ideally, string ties come in handy and are easy to make. Cut four 8-inch long strips from the cushion fabric. Fold each of these pieces length-wise, and sew it along the sides. Then, fold the tie right in the center and iron it. Attach this to the end of the cushion, on all four sides.

A more straightforward method would be to use carpet tape. Although it is not a permanent solution, it still manages to hold the cushion in place.

So, cut out four to five wide strips of carpet tape and place one end of it on the chair. Before placing the cushion, remove the protective layer on the other end of the tape.

Once you place the cushions, press it down to ensure that it comes in contact with the tape.

Conclusion