How to Sew a Curved Seat Back Cushion

X-HT-200677

Some patio furniture might have a curved back. This can make sewing your own patio seat back cushions a bit tricky. But no worries! In our how-to video, we're going to show you how to sew a curved cushion that will fit a concave backrest. This video tutorial is part of our "Expanded Dining Area Patio" blog series. Join us and learn how to make a backrest cushion that actually curves to the shape of your curved patio furniture.
Video Chapters:
  • The Facts about Curved Cushions – 0:29 min.
  • Patterning Top & Bottom Boxing – 3:00 min.
  • Patterning Side Boxing – 12:48 min.
  • Patterning Plates – 16:02 min.
  • Creating Zipper Plaque – 23:53 min.
  • Cutting Sides & Top Boxing – 32:22 min.
  • Sewing Side & Top Boxing Together – 34:43 min.
  • Sewing Boxing to Front Plate – 36:17 min.
  • Gluing & Cutting Foam – 44:33 min.
  • Sewing Assembly to Back Plate – 46:36 min.
  • Stuffing Foam in Cover – 51:53 min.
  • Materials List – 53:49 min.
Materials List:
  • Dura-Skrim® Patterning Material 74" (#103134)
  • Outdura® Canvas Pesto 54" Upholstery Fabric (5432) (#124535)
  • YKK® #5 White Continuous Molded Tooth Zipper Chain (#28218)
  • Seamstick 1/4" Basting Tape for Canvas & Upholstery (#104167)
  • 3M™ General Trim Spray Adhesive 18.1 oz. (#73211)
  • Tex 70 (V-69) White Bonded Nylon Thread 4 oz. (1,500 yds.) (#124935)
  • YKK® #5 White Style A Single Non-Locking Delrin® Zipper Pull (Molded Tooth Chain) (#103178)
  • CushionRite® Dry Fast Antimicrobial Foam (Medium) (#124203)
Tools List:
  • Multiuse Pins 1-1/2" (250 pack) (#102985)
  • Sailrite® Clear Acrylic Ruler 6" x 24" (#102400)
  • Tape Measure 120" (#102986)
  • Gingher® 8" Scissors Right Handed (#19104)
  • Sewing Gauge Ruler 6" (#102995)
  • Sailrite® Ultrafeed® LS Walking Foot Sewing Machine (110V) (#311502)
  • Sailrite® Blade Foam Saw V2 with Carrying Case (110V) (#121244)
  • Retractable Tape Measure, Marker, Straightedge, Pencil, Masking Tape, Calculator

Our previous video, "How to Make Cushions for a Curved Patio Set" (#200702XHT), showed you how to sew the seat cushions for our curved patio furniture. In that video, the backrest cushions were not curved. Instead, we made two backrest cushions per curved section. The two straight, regular box cushions were easy to make. However, after we made them, we noticed a bit of overhang on the edges of the furniture piece because the straight-back cushions did not accommodate the curve in the furniture or the seat cushion.

This video tutorial is a little more complex but will result in a fantastic-looking backrest that perfectly complements the shape of the wrought iron furniture set. The key to adding a curve in the cushion is to pattern it very carefully. Watch our video closely as we show you all the steps to patterning and sewing a curved cushion.

We hope this cushion tutorial has been helpful and informative. Sailrite® is your one-stop shop for all things sewing and DIY. Not only do we have all the fabrics, tools, notions and supplies you need to sew for your home, patio, boat and RV/auto, we also have hundreds of high-quality how-to videos to help you tackle all your dream DIYs! If you want to check out the rest of the videos in this patio series, click here to see the whole playlist.

Materials List:

Dura-Skrim Patterning Material 74"

#103134

Dura-Skrim® Patterning Material 74"

Outdura Canvas Pesto 54" Upholstery Fabric (5432)

#124535

Outdura® Canvas Pesto 54" Upholstery Fabric (5432)

YKK #5 White Continuous Molded Tooth Zipper Chain

#28218

YKK® #5 White Continuous Molded Tooth Zipper Chain

Seamstick 1/4" Basting Tape for Canvas & Upholstery (50 yds.)

#104167

Seamstick 1/4" Basting Tape for Canvas & Upholstery (50 yds.)

Tex 70 (V-69) White Bonded Nylon Thread 4 oz. (1,500 yds.)

#124935

Tex 70 (V-69) White Bonded Nylon Thread 4 oz. (1,500 yds.)

YKK #5 White Style A Single Non-Locking Delrin Zipper Pull (Molded Tooth Chain)

#103178

YKK® #5 White Style A Single Non-Locking Delrin® Zipper Pull (Molded Tooth Chain)

CushionRite Dry Fast Antimicrobial Foam (Medium)

#124203

CushionRite® Dry Fast Antimicrobial Foam (Medium)

3M General Trim Spray Adhesive 18.1 oz.

#73211

3M™ General Trim Spray Adhesive 18.1 oz.

Tools List:

Multiuse Pins 1-1/2" (250 pack)

#102985

Multiuse Pins 1-1/2" (250 pack)

Sailrite Clear Acrylic Ruler 6" x 24"

#102400

Sailrite® Clear Acrylic Ruler 6" x 24"

Tape Measure 120"

#102986

Tape Measure 120"

Sewing Gauge Ruler 6"

#102995

Sewing Gauge Ruler 6"

Gingher 8" Scissors Right Handed

#19104

Gingher® 8" Scissors Right Handed

Sailrite Ultrafeed LS Walking Foot Sewing Machine (110V)

#311502

Sailrite® Ultrafeed® LS Walking Foot Sewing Machine (110V)

Sailrite Blade Foam Saw V2 with Carrying Case (110V)

#121244

Sailrite® Blade Foam Saw V2 with Carrying Case (110V)

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