Ribbed bench cushion

M A K E T H E L O O K Channel tufted bench cushion

Upcycle a plain wooden bench, like Monika, with this fun upholstery project

Monika’s chic striped cushions add softness to her rustic dining room

T O P T I P

Use any lef tover fabr ic to make co - ordinating seat pads for your dining chair s YOU WILL NEED wooden bench with a seat that extends beyond its legs black wood paint (optional) ticking stripe fabric heavy duty staple gun and staples firm upholstery foam fabric scissors ruler and pencil craft knife cardboard upholstery back tack strip – try The Millshop Online

INSTRUCTIONS 1 If desired, paint the legs of your bench black. Let dry. Mark the centre line across the width of your bench. Working out from the centre in either direction, mark lines at 15cm intervals. Then staple a line of tack strip along each of your markings.

2 Cut strips of foam to 15cm x the width of your bench, plus enough excess foam to wrap around the edge of the bench on either side. Then cut out strips of the fabric to 30cm x the width of your foam, plus 20cm. Make sure you cut out your fabric so that the direction of the pattern is consistent.

3 Lay a strip of fabric over the end of your bench with right side facing up and an equal amount of fabric extending off the edges. Line up the edge of your fabric with the first tack strip line then staple it down. Lay a second piece of fabric over the first, with the right side facing downwards this time. Line up your fabric edge with the tack strip line again, then place another piece of tack strip on top. Staple through all the layers, then fold the fabric back over the tack strip, right side up.

4 Place a piece of foam under your flap of fabric between your tack strip lines. Pull the fabric taut over the foam until you form a smooth dome, then staple in place along the next tack strip. Repeat with all your foam and fabric strips until the top of the bench is completely covered – leaving the ends of the bench unstapled.

5 Slip a strip of foam under the first fabric flap, then turn the bench over. Fold the excess fabric along the two short edges of the bench first. Pull the fabric taut and then staple into position to the base of the bench. Repeat along the long edges, starting at the centre and working outward, folding the corners neatly. To finish, trim any excess fabric close to the staple line.