Sunnyside Upstairs: Thread Tufted Cushion

After completing my daughter’s book storage bench, I brainstormed about making a cushion for the bench using things we already had at home. I spotted my husband’s 100 lb. punching bag, one we purchased 6 years ago, whose stuffing had condensed at the bottom and was less useful to us. This was a pricey punching bag, so I expected it was filled with quality stuffing we could reuse.

I shared how wrong I was on Facebook, apparently the place I like to occasionally share behind the scenes photos. Needless to say, I washed the stuffing three times and dried it in the baking Hawai’i sun until it was fit enough to sit on. Worst DIY idea I’ve had!

Build a scrap plywood and 2x2 reading bench

Build a scrap plywood and 2x2 reading bench

The following tutorial is not the proper way to make a cushion, although it is an extremely easy way that worked for me without the use of special tools or skills.

Using canvas drop cloth leftover from my yet-deferred sofa slipcover project, sewing thread, and repurposed stuffing, it cost me $0 in new purchases to make this cushion for my daughter’s bench.

	Canvas drop cloth - 2 cut panels @ 13” x 38” (already owned) Stuffing (new or repurposed) (already owned)
	Sewing needle and thread (already owned) Sewing machine(already owned)

3 thread tufts on the bench cushion against the wall

I made three tufts, without measuring or marking. They are not perfectly aligned or spaced, but I achieved the look I wanted: simple, handmade, loosely tufted. :) I played with the cushion as a back support and as a seat cushion, with "bare" as my tester. =D

3 thread tufts on the bench cushion seat