DIY Box Cushion with Piping: A Step-by-Step Guide

Updated at: 18/05/2025

Add a touch of elegance and comfort to your home with a custom-made box cushion, complete with stylish piping! This versatile project is perfect for sprucing up your living room, bedroom, or even outdoor seating. Whether you're a seasoned sewist or a beginner looking to try something new, this DIY project offers a rewarding experience with impressive results. Creating a beautiful box cushion doesn't require advanced sewing skills or expensive materials; with a few simple steps and readily available supplies, you'll be amazed at what you can achieve.

This guide provides a clear and concise step-by-step tutorial, walking you through the process from selecting your fabrics and cutting the pieces to sewing the piping and finishing the seams. Get ready to transform plain fabrics into a luxurious and personalized addition to your home décor. Let's dive into the detailed instructions to create your own stunning DIY box cushion with piping!

Preparation and Safety Guidelines

Tools Needed
  • Decor fabric
  • Denim fabric
  • Upholstery foam
  • Dacron padding
  • Welting cord
  • Ruler
  • Thread
  • Scissors
  • Fabric marker
  • Foam spray adhesive
  • Velcro
  • Serrated or electric knife
  • Sewing machine with zipper foot
Safety Guidelines
  • Always use sharp scissors or a rotary cutter when cutting fabric to avoid injury. Blunt tools require more force and increase the risk of accidents.
  • Handle your sewing machine needles with care. Never force the fabric under the needle and be sure to unplug the machine before changing needles or cleaning.
  • If using a hot glue gun, work in a well-ventilated area and be mindful of the hot glue. Keep away from children and pets.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Prepare the Cushion Core

    • Measure and cut the foam to your desired cushion dimensions. The example uses 23x21x3 inches.
    • Attach Dacron cushion wrap to the foam using spray adhesive. Ensure the padding is smooth and free of bunching.
    Attach Dacron cushion wrap to the foam using spray adhesive. Ensure the padding is smooth and free of bunching.Attach Dacron cushion wrap to the foam using spray adhesive. Ensure the padding is smooth and free of bunching.
    Prepare the Cushion Core

  2. Cut Fabric Pieces

    • 23x22 inches). Ensure 90-degree corners using a ruler.
    • Cut fabric pieces for the boxing. The example uses five pieces (two 24x4 inches and three 22x4 inches) to create a Velcro closure. Account for seam allowance in your measurements.
    • 1.25 inches wide).
    Cut the piping. The length should equal the cushion perimeter plus about 5 inches for joining. Width should be the cording width plus twice the seam allowance (example: 1.25 inches wide).Cut the piping. The length should equal the cushion perimeter plus about 5 inches for joining. Width should be the cording width plus twice the seam allowance (example: 1.25 inches wide).Cut the piping. The length should equal the cushion perimeter plus about 5 inches for joining. Width should be the cording width plus twice the seam allowance (example: 1.25 inches wide).
    Cut Fabric Pieces

  3. Prepare the Piping

    • Sew the piping. (A tutorial link is provided in the video)
    Sew the piping. (A tutorial link is provided in the video)
    Prepare the Piping

  4. Attach Piping to Cushion Body

    • Sew the piping to the body pieces of the cushion, leaving space to avoid showing the seam.
    Sew the piping to the body pieces of the cushion, leaving space to avoid showing the seam.
    Attach Piping to Cushion Body

  5. Assemble the Back Panel

    • Create the back panel with two boxing pieces, adding seam allowance and folding to create a clean finish. Attach Velcro to these pieces.
    • Sew the boxing pieces together to form a loop, matching parallel sides for non-square cushions.
    Sew the boxing pieces together to form a loop, matching parallel sides for non-square cushions.Sew the boxing pieces together to form a loop, matching parallel sides for non-square cushions.
    Assemble the Back Panel

  6. Attach Boxing to Cushion Body

    • Pin and sew the boxing to the body of the cushion, sandwiching the piping between and ensuring perfect corner alignment.
    • Hand-sew any areas where the machine couldn't get close enough to the piping.
    • Repeat step 10 for the other side of the cushion.
    Repeat step 10 for the other side of the cushion.Repeat step 10 for the other side of the cushion.Repeat step 10 for the other side of the cushion.
    Attach Boxing to Cushion Body

  7. Finish and Stuff the Cushion

    • Turn the cushion right-side out, stuff the foam inside, and ensure the padding is flat and corners are properly pushed out.
    Turn the cushion right-side out, stuff the foam inside, and ensure the padding is flat and corners are properly pushed out.
    Finish and Stuff the Cushion

Read more: Sew a Lined Expandable Storage Bag: Easy Tutorial

Tips

  • Pay close attention to the corners when cutting fabric, ensuring 90-degree angles.
  • For patterned fabrics, pay attention to pattern alignment.
  • When sewing the piping to the cushion body, avoid getting too close to the piping to prevent the seam from showing.
  • Use a zipper foot for sewing close to the piping.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Unevenly Cut Fabric

Reason: Inaccurate measurements or cutting techniques can lead to mismatched fabric pieces, resulting in a poorly fitting and unprofessional-looking cushion.
Solution: Use sharp scissors, a ruler, and carefully measure and cut all fabric pieces twice to ensure accuracy.

2. Piping that's too tight or too loose

Reason: Incorrectly measuring or filling the piping cord can make it difficult to sew, leading to puckering or gaps in the finished product.
Solution: Ensure the piping cord is consistently filled and the piping is neither too tight nor too loose when attaching it to the fabric.

FAQs

What type of fabric is best for a box cushion?
Durable fabrics like canvas, linen, or even heavy cotton are ideal for box cushions. They hold their shape well and can withstand regular use. Avoid overly delicate or flimsy fabrics.
Can I use a sewing machine or do I need to sew by hand?
A sewing machine is highly recommended, especially for sewing the piping. While hand-sewing is possible, it will be significantly more time-consuming.