FABRIC KEY
Fabric A: yellow with white dot
Fabric B: white with yellow dot
Fabric C: stripe
Fabric D: blue with white dot

MATERIALS
Refer to the fabric key above.
Fabric A for cushion and small covered buttons
Fabric B for cushion bottom
Fabric C for gusset, loops, and large covered buttons
Fabric D for covered piping
Tracing paper and pencil
2-inch-thick upholstery foam and serrated knife, utility     knife, or electric knife
Batting
Upholstery spray adhesive
2 yards of 1⁄4-inch-diameter cotton piping cord
Eight 5⁄8-inch-diameter covered buttons
Two 1⁄8-inch-diameter covered buttons
Upholstery needle and thread

INSTRUCTIONS
Note: All measurements include 1⁄2-inch seam allowances unless otherwise noted.

Using tracing paper and a pencil, trace the chair seat shape. Transfer the shape to the upholstery foam. Using a serrated knife, utility knife, or electric knife, cut one shape from the upholstery foam for the cushion. Wrap the foam with batting using upholstery spray adhesive.

Transfer the traced seat shape to Fabric A and Fabric B, adding a 1⁄4-inch seam allowance. Cut the cushion top from Fabric A and the cushion bottom from Fabric B.

To figure the length for the gusset, measure the distance around the cushion and add 1⁄2-inch for each seam allowance. From Fabric C, cut a 3-inch-wide strip to this length for the gusset. Determine the length of piping needed by multiplying the length of the gusset
by 2. Cut the piping cord to the correct length. Click here for instructions to make covered piping. Cut enough 11⁄2-inch-wide bias strips from Fabric D to cover the piping cord; sew the strips around the cord.

With right sides together and raw edges aligned, pin together the short ends of the gusset to make a continuous loop. Using a 1⁄2-inch seam allowance, stitch the ends together. Press the seam open.

Cut the length of piping in half and pin one piece to the right side of the loop along one edge, aligning raw edges. Begin the piping away from the seam to minimize the bulk in the seam allowances. Where the piping meets, overlap the ends 1 inch and cut off the excess. Remove the stitching from the piping’s fabric cover in each end. Unfold the fabric and cut the ends of the cord to meet. Refold one end of the cover under the cord. On the remaining end, turn the cover under 1⁄2-inch and refold the fabric around the cord, concealing the raw ends of the fabric cover. Using a zipper foot and a long stitch length, baste the covered piping to the loop. Attach the covered piping to the remaining raw edge of the loop in the same manner.

With right sides together and raw edges aligned, pin the gusset to the bottom cushion panel, centering the seam on the gusset at the center back of the panel. Using a zipper foot, stitch the bottom panel to the gusset following the previous basting for the covered piping. Clip the corners as necessary. Sew the top cushion panel to the gusset in the same manner, leaving an opening for inserting the batting-wrapped cushion.
 
Turn the cover right side out and press. Place the batting-wrapped cushion inside the cover and hand-sew the opening closed.

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to assemble four 5⁄8-inch-diameter covered buttons with Fabric A and four buttons with Fabric B (or, click here for instructions for covering buttons). Using a fine-tip marking pen and referring to the photograph, mark the placement of the four covered buttons on the top of the cushion. Use a doubled length of upholstery thread and an upholstery needle to attach the buttons to the top and bottom of the chair cushion.

Click here for instructions on tufting with
covered buttons.

For tabs, cut two 4×6-3⁄4-inch strips from Fabric C. Fold each strip in half lengthwise with right sides together and raw edges aligned. Sew along the long side and one short side of each strip, leaving one short side open; trim the corners. Turn the strips right side out through the openings; press. Center and stitch a 1-1⁄4-inch-long buttonhole 1⁄2-inch from the finished edge of each strip. Topstitch the short open sides closed.

Place the cushion on the chair and mark the positioning of the ties on the sides of the cushion. Remove the cushion and hand-sew the ties to the sides. Cover two 1-1⁄8-inch-diameter covered buttons with Fabric C and position the buttons to correspond with the buttonholes. Hand-sew the buttons to the cushion with a doubled length of upholstery thread.

Click here for instructions to make the Lumbar Pillow.

For additional pillow designs check out:
Basic Square Pillow
Flanged Pillow
Tied Bolster

To outfit your home office, see:
Basket Liners
Filing Cabinet Slipcover
Pocket Board