How to Reupholster Glider Cushions

Updated on May 10, 2024

How to Reupholster Glider Cushions. Create new cushions for your glider rocking chair using the old cushions as a pattern.

Earlier this week, I shared how I updated my old glider rocking chair with a new stain. It sat outside and looked awful, so I wanted to see if I could make it look new again.

Today, I will share how I made new cushions for the glider using the old cushions as a pattern.

This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase something through the link, I may receive a small commission at no extra charge. Please read my full disclosure policy.

How to Reupholster Glider Cushions

You can see below that my chair was in really bad shape. The chair had sat outside on the edge of my porch for a couple of years. The cushions were dirty, had paint spilled on them, and overall, it was just gross.

Supplies

• Seam Ripper
• Fabric of Choice (this one is similar to the one I purchased)
• Scissors
• Coordinating Thread
• Foam and/or Batting (Optional)
• Velcro (Optional)
• Sewing Machine

Take Apart Old Cushions

The first step is to carefully disassemble the old cushions. You need to be patient because you want to ensure that your fabric pieces stay intact throughout this process. 

Use your seam ripper to carefully remove the seams from all fabric pieces you plan to reupholster.

Note how the pieces were put together as you remove the seams to make it easier when it comes time to sew. I took a few pictures with my phone for reference as I went.

You may or may not want to sew it back together exactly the same way, but at least you will know how the original pieces were put together.

I planned on reupholstering the ottoman, back, and seat cushion. For now, I decided not to replace the cushions that went over the chair’s arms.

I may redo these at some point, but the pockets get filled with dirt and leaves since the chair is outside.

Use the Old Cushion Pieces as a Pattern

I decided to choose some heavy-duty upholstery fabric since this chair will stay on our back porch. After you have everything apart, use the fabric you took apart to create new pieces.

Attach the old piece to the new fabric using straight pins. 

Then, cut out around the edge of the old fabric to create new pieces for your cushions. Do this for all the pieces you plan to make.

Cut New Foam and/or Batting (Optional)

Since my chairs sat outside, the foam inside the cushions and the ottoman was trashed. They were not washable, and quite frankly, they were not worth trying to save. 

Again, I used the old pieces as a template to cut new foam pieces. I used a marker to trace around the old cushion before cutting.

The back cushion also had batting inside of it that was sewn in. I cut new pieces for the batting as well.

Note: Depending on the condition, you may be able to reuse the batting and/or foam inside your cushions.

Sew New Cushions

Now, it is time to sew. Remember how I told you to make a note of how the pieces were sewn together? You will use the same general technique to sew them back together as you did to take them apart.

Add Ties or Velcro Tabs to the Right Side of the Fabric Before Assembling

Before sewing the pieces together, I needed to add the tabs back on the outside of the fabric. These allow me to attach the cushions to the glider so they won’t move around or come off as easily.

On my original cushions, there were four Velcro tabs and two tiestrings. Because this upholstery fabric was so stiff, I couldn’t make the string ties, so I improvised and made all six tabs with Velcro.

I cut the fabric about 3 inches wide to create the ties. I folded it in half with the right sides together. Then, I sewed along the cut edge on two sides. I turned the tube right side out.

Fold the open end and top stitch over it to secure it closed. Then, I sewed the velcro onto the finished tab to allow it to loop around the rung in the back of the chair.

Sew Together Cushions

For my particular seat cushions, a piece of foam was inserted inside the cushion. So, to start, I pinned the two fabric pieces, right sides together. 

Then I sewed all around the outside, leaving the back open. 

Next, I flipped the fabric so everything was right side out. Insert the new piece of foam into the cushion cover.

I folded the edge towards the inside of the cushion and pinned it. Then, I topstitched over the edge to close up the cushion.

For the back cushion, batting was sewn into the front side of the cushion.

I started by laying out the front piece of fabric, right side down, and pinned the batting to the wrong side of the fabric. I sewed three straight lines through the batting and the fabric to keep it all from shifting.

Note: This is how the original was pieced together, which made it easier for me to figure out how to create my new cushion.

Then, I pinned the top and bottom pieces of the back cushion’s right sides together and sewed around the outside edge, leaving the bottom open. Again, I turned the fabric right side out and inserted the foam piece inside the cushion. I tucked the edges under and topstitched along the bottom edge.

Helpful Tip: I found it easier to push the foam piece up further inside the cushion while I sewed. When I was finished sewing, it was easy to manipulate it back in place.

Reupholster the Ottoman

This is the easiest part of the entire project. Remove the top fabric and wood piece from the ottoman’s frame using a screwdriver or Allen wrench, depending on how yours is assembled.

Remove the fabric. It is usually stapled on, so a flathead screwdriver and pliers work well to pry up the staples.

Use the old fabric as a template to cut a new piece for your ottoman. I also replaced the foam to give everything a fresh start. Using an electric carving knife is the easiest way to cut thick foam.

Lay out your fabric (right side down), then the foam, then the wood. Be sure to center your foam and wood on the fabric piece. 

Helpful Tip: If you use fabric with a pattern that needs to be lined up more evenly (for example, stripes or plaid), start by laying out your wood base, then foam, then fabric right side up. Carefully flip everything over and staple the fabric to the back side of the wood.

I like to start stapling by doing opposite sides of the fabric to ensure everything is straight and tight. Then I will move on to the opposite ends. Fold over the corners and staple them in place last.

You can trim the excess fabric at this point if needed.

Reattach the reupholstered top to the bottom frame of the ottoman.

I am so happy with how this project turned out. This fabric is beautiful and makes a bright spot on our porch. Since this would be sitting outside, I sprayed each of the cushions with fabric protection spray to keep them looking nice and easy to clean.

You may also like:

• How to Paint a Wooden Glider
• Refinished Wooden Bench
• How to Stain a Deck: Preparation