Make a Custom Boat Mattress: DIY V-Berth Cushions
X-HT-300739
- Intro – 0:00 min.
- Patterning V-Berth – 1:22 min.
- Layering Foam – 5:01 min.
- Cutting Foam to Size – 8:18 min.
- Cutting Wedge – 16:10 min.
- Cutting Top & Bottom Plate – 18:02 min.
- Cutting Moisture Prevention Underliner – 20:41 min.
- Cutting Seamed Corner Boxing Strips – 21:31 min.
- Cutting Boxing Length to Match Plate Edges – 25:58 min.
- Creating Zipper Plaque – 28:32 min.
- Joining Boxing Together – 37:40 min.
- Sewing Boxing to Top Plate – 39:20 min.
- Sewing Bottom Plate to Assembly – 48:11 min.
- Inserting Foam – 52:30 min.
- Dura-Skrim® Patterning Material 74" – #103134
- CushionRite® Premium Antimicrobial Foam (Firm) – #124236
- CushionRite® Premium Foam (Soft) – #124230
- CushionRite® Foam & Fabric Spray Adhesive 16.9 oz. – #125476
- 3M™ Specialty Adhesive Remover 32 oz. (Quart) – #108984
- Outdura® 54" Upholstery Fabric - we used Flurry Neptune – #124760
- Cushion Underlining Black 54" Fabric – #772100
- Moisture Prevention Underliner 60" x 90" – #121766
- Lenzip® #5 Black Continuous Molded Tooth Zipper Chain – #124253
- Seamstick 1/4" Basting Tape for Canvas & Upholstery (36 yds.) – #122065
- Lenzip® #5 Black Style A Single Locking Delrin® Zipper Pull (Molded Tooth Chain) – #125130
- Painters Tape
- Sailrite® Clear Acrylic Ruler 6" x 24" – #102400
- Multiuse Pins 1-1/2" (250 pack) – #102985
- Sailrite® Blade Foam Saw V2 with Carrying Case (110V) – #121244
- Sailrite® Edge Cordless Hotknife 18V Package – #122177
- Precision Cutting Blade & Foot for Edge Hotknife – #125495
- Scribe-All® Water Soluble White Marking Pencil – #120681
- Professional Stainless Steel 10" Scissors – #123615
- Deluxe Tape Measure 120" – #123120
- Chalk Pen White – #123131
- Small Fabric/Leather Clips (50 pack) – #123121
- Sailrite® Canvas Patterning Ruler – #107040
- Sailrite® Ultrafeed® LSZ Walking Foot Sewing Machine (110V) – #311602
- Sailrite® Ultrafeed® Industrial Sewing Table – #120934
- Seam Ripper Deluxe – #18104
- Suisei Magnetic Sewing Guide – #102983
- Marker, Tape Measure, Straightedge
We chose an Outdura® performance upholstery fabric for our cushion covers. These American-made fabrics deliver the best in quality and visual appeal at a price fit for any DIY budget. Outdura’s excellent water, mold and mildew resistance make it perfect for use inside or outside of your boat’s cabin. Plus, other great features such as high abrasion resistance, stain resistance and UV resistance make Outdura fabrics a dream to use practically anywhere. To learn more about why we love this easy-care, indoor/outdoor fabric line, check out our blog, “Outdura® Fabric - Premium Performance Upholstery” (#300694XHT).
This DIY video is like a masterclass in marine cushion-making that you can take at your own pace. Not only will you have a beautiful, useful v-berth boat mattress at the end, but you’ll also learn many valuable cushion sewing skills along the way, including:
- How to layer foam to find the perfect combination of comfort and support.
- How to prevent scratches from an exposed zipper slider with a simple pocket.
- When and how to make a wedge in your cushion foam.
- How to make a zipper plaque with a molded tooth zipper take a gentle curve.
- What materials to use to avoid moisture buildup in a marine cushion.
- And more!
When you’re ready to get a better night’s sleep on your boat, watch the video to get started. Sailrite’s DIY experts will show you every step of how to make boat cushions for your v-berth. You can do it!
Was this boat cushion project easier than you thought it would be? What was the most challenging part of your cushion build? Let us know in the comments below. And if the other cushions on your boat could use a little TLC, make sure to check out the rest of our marine DIY projects! These tutorials are absolutely free, and you can access them at any time that fits your schedule. Happy sewing!