Stadium Bleacher Seat Cushion

SUPPLIES & TOOLS:

• 1 1/2yds outdoor fabric
• Two 2"-thick high density foam pieces: 15"x 15"
• Spray adhesive
• Electric knife or hand saw
• Chalk or disappearing ink pen
• 1yd 1 1/2" canvas webbing
• 1/2yd sew-on hook & loop tape
• Leather strap: 1 1/2"x 9"
• Two 1/4"-thick plywood pieces: 15"x 15"
• Rivets & riveting tool for leather
• Basic sewing supplies

DIRECTIONS:

1. Prepare the foam, plywood and fabric:
• Mark and cut foam to 15"x 15".
• Spray a light layer of adhesive to one side of plywood and one side of foam. Allow the adhesive to rest 30 seconds to develop tackiness, and then press the foam and plywood together. Repeat for the second pieces. Set aside.
• Cut an 18 1/2"x 51" length of fabric and set aside.
• Cut two pieces of fabric that are 19 1/2"x 20".


2. Create the cushion covers:
• You will be making the box form of the cushion covers by folding in the corners, sewing and trimming off the excess fabric.
• Help yourself distinguish the 19 1/2" edges from the 20" edges by marking along the 19 1/2" edges with your chalk or disappearing ink pen. Draw a rectangle in each corner that is 2 1/4" in from the 19 1/2" edge and 2 3/4" in from the 20" edge.
• One at a time and with right sides together, fold each corner diagonally, making a crease through the corner point to the interior corner of your drawn rectangle. Pin in place. There will be an extra 1/2" of material along the 20" edge. You will need to fold this edge later. (See Diagram 1)



• Sew along your drawn line, from the interior corner point to the short side edge. Trim thread and repeat for each corner.
• Trim off the excess triangles of fabric in each corner, about 1/4" away from your seam.
• Fold in the edges of the longer edge 1/2" and press with your iron.
• Turn right side out and set aside.


3. Prepare the base of your seat:
• Take the base of your seat - the 18 1/2"x 51" piece of fabric - and fold one of the short edges in 8 3/4". Press the folded edge with your iron.
• Fold both long edges in 1/2" and press. Fold them 1/2" again and press.
• Fold the remaining short edge in 1/2" and press. Fold it 1/2" again and press. Set aside.
• Cut your webbing in half to make two pieces. Cut one edge of each at a 45-degree angle. Set aside.
• Cut your hook & loop tape into 15" lengths. Secure the loop tape to the right side of the seat base, at the short side with the 1/2" fold, about 3/4" from the folded edge, with pins. Sew in place.


4. Add the cushion covers to the base:
• Take one folded edge of a cushion cover and unfold. Center the raw edge along the 1/2" folded short edge of the seat base. Tuck the raw edge under the fold, pin and topstitch along the edge.
• Tuck the sides of the cushion cover into the folded sides of the base and pin.
• Make a mark on both sides that is 3" from the top, sewn edge and tuck the angled edge of the webbing pieces into the folded sides of the base at the mark. The webbing should be angled down towards the bottom of the seat. Secure the webbing in place and topstitch along the folded edge, stitching back and forth when you get to the webbing for added strength.
• Leave the bottom, folded edge of the cushion cover open to insert the foam into at a later step.
• For the other cushion, measure 3 1/2" from the first cushion cover and mark. Unfold one folded edge of the cushion cover and flip upside down so the right side of the seat cushion is facing the wrong side of the base. Place on the seat base matching the crease of the fold to the 3 1/2" mark, pin and sew along the crease. Fold down and press seam edge with iron.
• Tuck side edges of cushion into the side edge of the base. Pin in place.
• On both cushion side edges, measure 3" from the bottom edge of the cushion (the edge that is not sewn.) Make a mark. Measure 1 3/4" from that first mark and make another mark. Place a pin in between the two marks to remember not to sew this section (the webbing will be inserted into this section later) when the sides are sewn. Topstitch along the folded edge, skipping the 1 3/4" openings for the straps.


5. Add the foam:
• Insert a foam and plywood piece into the first cushion cover, through the bottom. Hand-stitch the bottom opening closed.
• Determine the correct length for the webbing and sew in place before inserting the second piece of foam. Place the bottom foam on top of its cover and place the first piece in its upright seat back position. Pull the webbing straps taut, lining them up with the opening on the bottom and mark a line on the webbing where the strap meets the folded edge. Cut that line at a 45-degree angle, repeat for the other side. Tuck webbing straps into the folded edge openings, pin in place and sew, backstitching a couple of times for added strength.
• Insert the remaining foam and plywood piece into the bottom cushion cover. Hand-stitch the bottom opening closed.


6. Finish the flap:
• Topstitch the remaining folded edge.
• Fold the cushion seat closed and fold the flap over the loop tape. Mark the point where the loop tape meets the flap. Open the seat and secure the remaining 15" hook tape on the marked position. Sew in place.


7. Attach the leather handle:
• Fold the cushion seat closed again and mark the top center of the flap. Center the leather strap over your mark, pin and open. Poke a hole through either side of the leather strap, through the flap, using an awl or even a large safety pin or a sharp scissor point. Attach rivet using the riveting tool.

JOANN HACKS:

• Have the hardware store to cut plywood to size for you.