How to Make a Quilted Stadium Seat Cushion

Welcome friends! In this post we have a fantastic guest post tutorial by Jessica Steele with the excellent step-by-step process to make your own Quilted Stadium Seat cushion that you can customize for your favorite team. Plus, the project includes a handy pock for carrying a book or magazine for between innings. 🙂 Take it a way Jessica!

Hey there! I’m Jessica, the quilt pattern designer behind Jessica Steele Design - the home of athletically-inspired designs for the modern quilter.  My quilt patterns originate and are inspired by the world of sports and today I am so excited to share this tutorial for how to make a quilted stadium seat cushion.

Have orphan quilt blocks you have no idea what to do with? Use one to add a dash of quilty fun to this seat cushion for any season.

The tutorial also includes an option to add a pocket for bringing your favorite quilting magazine, project or book with you to get you through the lulls in action on a long day of games.

Let’s get started!

Materials Needed for Quilted Stadium Seat Cushion:

• 15 in x 17in x 3in outdoor foam (NuFoam is used in this example)
• Fabric - you can use basic quilting cotton for lighter use or canvas for a more durable cushion cover
  • If using the same fabric for all sides you will need 1 YARD total
  • If using various fabrics, you will need the following cuts:
    • (1) 16 in x 18 in rectangle  - TOP*
    • (1) 16 in x 18 in rectangle - BOTTOM*
    • (2) 4 in x 16 in rectangles - SIDE 1 & 3*
    • (2) 2 ⅝ in x 18 in rectangles - SIDE 2* (Zipper)
• These cuts are based on a 1 ¼ inch zipper width. If you are using a different width of zipper, adjust the 2 ⅝ inch measurement to → 2 inches + (½ of the zipper width)
• (1) 4 in x 18 in rectangle - SIDE 4* (Handle)

• (1) 5.5 in x 30 in rectangle - HANDLE
• (2) 13 in x 10 in rectangles - POCKET (optional)

*Note: these cuts are based on a 15in x 17in x 3in cushion. If you are using a different size of cushion, add at least 1 inch to each dimension of your cushion to accommodate the ½ in seam allowances

• ½ yard of foam stabilizer such as ByAnnie Soft ‘n Stable or Pellon Flex Foam
• Thread -
  • Using a polyester or outdoor thread such as this 12wt Coats Outdoor Living Thread can help with durability, especially when using canvas 
  • For quilting the cushion top, I use 40 weight Fil-Tec Glide polyester thread
• Minimum 18in Zipper (1 ¼ in wide) -
  • Since this cushion will likely be used outdoors, it is a good idea to stick to plastic zipper teeth vs. metal. I used this Coats Sport Zipper which is meant for outdoor use.
• Zipper presser foot
• Scissors or Rotary Blade
• Pins
• Iron
• (Optional) If adding raw edge applique letters:
  • Lightweight double-sided fusible web such as Pellon Wonder Under or Heat’nBond Lite Sewable 
  • Various scraps of fabric
  • Pen or pencil

Before Starting

It’s always a good idea to pre-wash any fabric for this project to ensure no shrinking.  The cushion cover is made to be removable so you can wash it.  If the fabric is not pre-washed, you run the risk of the cover shrinking on the first wash and being unable to put it back on.

All seam allowances are ½ inch unless otherwise noted.

RST= Right Sides Together

WST= Wrong Sides Together

Cutting

Cut the following pieces for your cushion:

• (1) 16 in x 18 in rectangle - TOP*
• (1) 16in x 18in rectangle - BOTTOM
• (2) 4 in x 16 in rectangles - SIDE 1 & 3
• (2) 2 ⅝ in x 18 in rectangles - SIDE 2 (Zipper)
• (1) 4 in x 18 in rectangle - SIDE 4 (Handle)
• (2) 13in x 10in rectangles - POCKET (optional)
• (1) 5.5in x 30in rectangle - HANDLE
• (1) 16 in x 18 in rectangle - FOAM STABILIZER*

*Note: if you intend to do more dense quilting on your cushion top, it is a good idea to add 1 inch to these measurements and then cut down to size after quilting as there can be shrinkage during the quilting process.

Making the Stadium Seat Cushion Top

For this tutorial I’ve added raw edge appliqué letters to the cushion top.  You can find many different fonts to explore on Canva and print them to size for your cushion.  If you’d like to use the same font as I have sized in this tutorial, you can download the letters here.

You may also consider using orphan blocks to add some interest to your cushion top. If you are using orphan blocks, I would recommend using blocks smaller than 16 inches as you will lose ½ inch in the seam allowance. Be sure to add borders to your block to finish at 16 in x 18 in for the cushion top dimensions.

Adding Raw Edge Appliqué Letters

1. To make the raw edge appliqué letters, print and cut out letters of your choice. Using various scraps of fabric, loosely cut enough fabric to cover the letters needed for your cushion. Be sure to cut a generous allowance of at least ¼ to ½ inch around each letter.

2. Cut pieces of fusible web slightly smaller than the fabric pieces for your letters but still larger than each letter. Per the directions of your fusible web, adhere the fusible side to the wrong side of your fabric. The paper side should be facing up.

3. Trace the letters you wish to appliqué onto the paper side of the fusible web and cut out. Note: if there are any letters that are not reversible (the letters “L” or “R” for example), be sure to trace the letter onto the paper flipped upside down so the letters face the right direction on the fabric side.

4. Once your letters are cut out, peel off the paper liner and arrange the letters adhesive side down on the right side of your TOP piece of fabric.

5. Press your letters or shapes according to the fusible web instructions to adhere to the right side of the TOP piece.

6. To secure the letters, use a zig zag, satin or simple straight stitch along the edges.

Quilting the Cushion Top

1. Place your finished TOP piece on top of your foam stabilizer WST. You may clip or pin the pieces in place if necessary.
2. Quilt your pieces together using a design of your choice.
3. After quilting, finish the edges by serging or using a zig zag stitch around the perimeter to reduce bulk in the seam allowance.

Making the Handle

1. Fold each end of the HANDLE piece WST 1 in from the edge and press.

2. Fold the HANDLE piece (with the ends folded in), in half lengthwise and press. Unfold, then fold each long edge to the center crease and press again. Fold in half lengthwise along the center crease.

3. Pin or clip the ends together and topstitch around the entire perimeter by sewing ⅛ inch from the edge. Backstitch at the start and end.

4. Fold (1) SIDE 4 piece in half lengthwise and fingerpress to find the center. Place the handle piece centered on this line 2 ½ inches from each end of the SIDE 4 piece, and pin in place.

5. Sew a square with an “X” in the center on each end, backstitching at the start and end.

Adding the Zipper

1. Place (2) SIDE 2 pieces RST and sew together using a ⅝ inch seam allowance.

*Note: ⅝ inch is half of the width of the zipper I am using in this example (1 ¼ inch). If your zipper width is different than 1 ¼ inch, make your seam allowance ½ of your zipper width.

2. Press the seam open.

3. Place the zipper right side down on the seam of the SIDE 2 pieces, making sure to center the zipper teeth with the seam.

4. Using a zipper foot, backstitch at the top of the zipper and sew down the middle of the entire zipper tape, making sure your zipper remains aligned in the center of the seam. Backstitch at the end. You may need to pull the zipper pull down before starting to stitch and pause to pull it back up as you go.

5. Repeat and sew down the middle of the other side of the zipper tape and backstitch to secure the zipper.
6. Sew back and forth a few times right next to the start of the zipper and 1 inch from the end of the zipper to secure. If your zipper is longer than 18 inches, trim the zipper to the edge of the finished piece.

7. Using a seam ripper, carefully take out the stitches on the finished (top) side of the zipper to expose the zipper between the two stitched ends where the zipper was secured.

Adding a Pocket (Optional)

A long day at the ball fields can mean you will need to bring some reading material or another activity for lulls in the action or time between games.  Adding a pocket to your seat cushion can be the perfect way to bring a book or your favorite quilting magazine!

To add a pocket:

1. Sew the (2) pocket pieces RST using a ¼ inch seam around the perimeter leaving one of the 13 inch sides partially open.  Be sure to backstitch at the beginning and end.

2. Before turning right side out, cut excess fabric from the corners. Turn right side out and use a point turner for neat, crisp corners. Press the pocket piece so the edges are flat.

3. Topstitch the edge with the opening ⅛ in from the edge, backstitching at the start and end.

4. Arrange the pocket piece RST with the BOTTOM piece. Pin the pocket piece in place 2 ¾ inches from each side, and 2 ½ inches from the bottom. Note: the topstitched side should be opposite the bottom edge as this will be the pocket opening.

5. Topstitch ⅛ inch from the edge along both sides and bottom of the pocket, leaving the top edge open. Backstitch at the start and end.

Assembling the Cushion Cover

1. Sew, RST, all four of the side pieces making sure the zipper and handle are on opposite sides from each other. 

2. Arrange the SIDE 4 (handle) piece RST and centered along the top edge of the BOTTOM piece (make sure the opening of the pocket is facing the SIDE 4 piece). Pin in place at the corners and along the edge.

3. Sew together, backstitching at the beginning and end, stopping one or two stitches before the corner seam of the SIDE 4 piece.

4. Lift the presser foot and flip SIDE 1 to align with the top edge of the BOTTOM piece. Sew together down the SIDE 1 piece, backstitching at the start of the first corner and one or two stitches before the next corner.

5. Repeat until all four sides are sewn to the BOTTOM piece.
6. Trim excess fabric from corners to reduce bulk.
7. Repeat the same process to sew the quilted TOP piece to the sides, aligning the SIDE 4 (handle) piece with the top edge of the quilted TOP piece. Be sure to leave the zipper partially open a few inches so you can turn the cover right side out.

If you plan on washing your seat cover, you may consider serging or using a zig zag stitch along the raw edges at this point.

Once your cover is assembled, turn it right side out using a point turner on the corners.

To easily place the cushion inside, fold in half lengthwise and place inside, then once the entire cushion is inside let the cushion unfold to fill the space.

Zip up your cushion cover, and head to the ball fields!

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and would love to see yours! Tag me on Instagram @jessicasteeledesign to share your version.  

There are so many ways you can make this seat cushion your own.  I also made this softball version by using a reduced sizing of my Fastball quilt pattern.

If you’re looking for more quilty sports inspiration, you can find all my patterns at www.jessicasteeledesign.com or download my free Fastbreak Wall Hanging and Fourth Down Table Runner patterns here.

Thank you so much for such an awesome tutorial for a practical project, Jessica. Those bleachers can get pretty uncomfortable after a while. What a great idea. A quilted Stadium Chair would make a great Mother's or Father's Day gift for parent or grandparent superfans!