How to Make a Stadium Cushion

By Clara
45 minutes

Sitting through an entire game on a hard seat or bleacher can get uncomfortable, especially if your team is losing. This stadium cushion has a handle and Velcro closure so the cover can be washed. Whether you’re at a high school football game or a professional baseball game, get comfortable with a stadium cushion. It’s a winning gift for sports fans.

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Materials

Video

Instructions

Step 1: Measure & cut the fabric

Pre-wash your fabric, especially if it’s cotton or a cotton blend.

Cut 2 pieces of your main fabric for the top and bottom. Add an inch to the width and length of your cushion or foam dimensions. This cushion is 15 by 17 inches, so I’m cutting 2 pieces that are 16 by 18 inches.

Measure and cut a piece that is 4 by 10 inches for the handle.

I’m using a contrasting fabric for the sides.

Measure and cut 2 pieces that are the length and height of the cushion plus 1 inch. That’s 3 by 16 inches for me.

Measure and cut 3 pieces that are the width and height of the cushion plus 1 inch, which is 3 by 18 inches here.

Cut both the hook and loop sides of the Velcro to the width of the cushion plus 1 inch, which is 18 inches for me.

Step 2: Sew the handle

Fold the handle piece in half lengthwise and iron.

Fold each edge to the center crease and press.

Fold the ends in half an inch and press.

Refold and pin.

Sew around the sides an 1/8th of an inch from the edges. Back stitch at the beginning and end.

Make a mark 4 and 3/4 inches in from each end of a 3 by 18 inch piece. Center the handle and line it up with one of the marks and pin.

Sew a square with an “X” through it.

Repeat for the other end of the handle.

Step 3: Sew the Velcro

Fold the bottom of one of the 3 by 18 inch pieces in half an inch and iron. Fold in another 1/2 inch and press again.

Place the Velcro on the wrong side an 1/8th of an inch from the edge and pin. Sew on the Velcro close to the edges.

Make another half inch double fold on the top edge of the final 3 by 18 inch piece.

For this piece, sew down the edge of the fold.

This time, sew the Velcro on the right side.

When you place the Velcro together, the total height of the piece should be 3 inches.

Step 4: Sew the pieces together

Sew all the side pieces together with a 1/2 inch seam allowance.

Pin the sides to one of the 16 by 18 inch pieces with right sides facing.

Sew around the entire piece with a 1/2 inch seam allowance.

Back stitch when you get to the corners, and start sewing again on the next side.

Repeat for the other 16 by 18 inch piece.

If you’re going to be washing the cover, you may want to serge or zig-zag stitch the edges, use fray check, or cut with pinking shears to help prevent frayed edges.