DiyProject

How to Make Curved Cockpit Cushions

X-HT-300740

Does your boat have a curved cockpit seating area? We'll teach you how to make custom curved cushions that will perfectly fit into your cockpit. Don't own a boat? No problem. The cushion-making approach in this video works great for many other types of cushion applications for your home, RV, office, outdoor seating areas and more. This type of cushion-making technique features a zipper on the underside — not in the boxing — and continuous boxing instead of boxing that is seamed at each corner. After watching this video you too will see how easy and fun it is to make cushions for yourself and save money!
Video Chapters:
  • Patterning Cockpit — 1:58 min.
  • Cutting Foam to Size — 4:49 min.
  • Cutting Out Top Plate — 7:22 min.
  • Cutting Continuous Boxing to Size — 8:49 min.
  • Creating a Bottom Plate with Zipper — 10:16 min.
  • Sewing Piping to Boxing — 19:22 min.
  • Joining Boxing to Top Plate — 20:41 min.
  • Sewing Assembly to Bottom Plate — 29:56 min.
  • Inserting Foam — 34:50 min.
Materials List:
  • Dura-Skrim® Patterning Material 74" #103134
  • CushionRite® Dry Fast Antimicrobial Foam (Firm) #124204
  • EverSoft™ Pebble Indoor/Outdoor Tan 54" Vinyl Fabric #122212
  • Phifertex® Plus Vinyl Mesh Stucco 54" Fabric #123811
  • Lenzip® #5 White Continuous Molded Tooth Zipper Chain #124254
  • Seamstick 1/4" Basting Tape for Canvas & Upholstery (36 yds.) #122065
  • Lenzip® #5 White Style B Single Pull Locking Metal Zipper Slider (Molded Tooth Chain) #124286
  • Morbern™ Seabrook Vinyl Welting/Piping Midnight #120144
  • Sample of Morbern™ Seabrook Midnight 54" Vinyl Fabric #105987
  • Cushion Wrap Silk Film 54" #103933
Tools List:
  • Gingher® 8" Scissors Right Handed #19104
  • Professional Stainless Steel 10" Scissors #123615
  • Multiuse Pins 1-1/2" (250 pack) #102985
  • Sailrite® Blade Foam Saw V2 with Carrying Case (110V) #121244
  • Scribe-All® Black Marking Pencil for Vinyl #121977
  • Sailrite® Clear Acrylic Ruler 6" x 24" #102400
  • Deluxe Tape Measure 120" #123120
  • Sailrite® Deluxe Fabricator® Sewing Machine Package (110V) #400600
  • Cording Foot Set 1/4” for Fabricator #400414
  • Seam Ripper Deluxe #18104
  • Small Fabric/Leather Clips (50 pack) #123121
  • Sailrite® Fabric Edge Match Pliers #123498
  • Deluxe 5-1/2" Magnetic Sewing Guide #103597
  • Painter’s Tape, Marker, Straightedge, ShopVac

We're using EverSoft™ Indoor/Outdoor Vinyl Fabric for the cushion top plate and boxing strip. Our bottom plate is made from Phifertex® Plus Vinyl Mesh. Using a vinyl mesh for the bottom plate promotes water drainage and air circulation, meaning your cushions will dry out faster. Dry Fast Antimicrobial Foam is a great choice for cockpit cushions that you won't be stepping on to get in and out of the boat. If you need a much firmer foam that offers more stability and support, choose CushionRite® Flotation Foam.

In this curved cockpit cushion tutorial you'll learn how to:

  • Pattern your cushion shape from your boat's seating area.
  • Create a continuous boxing strip.
  • Create a bottom cushion plate with a zipper.
  • Sew premade vinyl piping to your cushion boxing.
  • Assemble and sew your cushion panels.

If you enjoyed this cushion tutorial, check out the rest of the DIYs in our Marine Projects section. Let the authority on all things marine DIY help you turn your boat into your home on the water. Comfortable cushions, protective covers, storage bags and other how-tos will make your vessel the relaxing haven you deserve. With hundreds of free marine blogs and videos, Sailrite® has everything you need to DIY the boat of your dreams.

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