What is the one thing that pro football games and little league tournaments have in common? You’re sure to be seated on those classic cold, hard aluminum stands. Whether you’re at the Super Bowl or your kid’s recreational weekend game, you’re likely to find yourself squirming for hours on end trying to get comfortable.
With fall right around the corner and sports season revving back up, the all too familiar aches and pains associated with the morning after a night in the stadium are also looming on the horizon. Fortunately, there is a simple fix! Even if you’re not a DIY enthusiast, making your own stadium cushion is easy, fast, affordable, and worthwhile for any sports fans. Follow the steps below, and you’ll be lounging comfortably in no time.
What Materials Are Needed to Make a Cushion?
Every DIY starts with a list of materials for the project. In this case, you can get pretty creative with a few elements to maximize the personality of your stadium cushion.
- Large piece of 2” high-density foam (like our HD36 High Quality Foam for example!) — This will be the base of your cushion and what saves your body from uncomfortable contact with the aluminum stadium seat. Depending on how large you want your seat pad to be, you can purchase as much or as little foam as you’d like. It should, however, be large enough for you to sit on and shift your weight comfortably. The 2” high-density component of the foam will ensure its longevity and ability to support the weight of an adult person without breaking down and losing shape too quickly.
- Electric or sharp carving knife – You’ll want a precise knife that can accommodate cutting through your foam to shape and size it the way you want. *Ruler – Since your foam will likely come in a larger sheet than you need, the ruler will help you measure before making cuts with your knife. This is an essential tool for any DIY to ensure that your measurements are accurate and material is not wasted.
- Durable fabric to cover the foam – Covering your foam with fabric will protect it from spills and general wear and tear. The fabric is an excellent piece of your cushion to customize—look for material with your team’s logo to show your support at the big game!
- Sewing machine or thread and needle – Once you’ve picked your fabric, you’ll need to cover your foam. You’ll enclose the foam in your fabric and sew it shut for a secure hold.
4 Steps for Making Your DIY Stadium Cushion:
- Cut the foam into your desired shape and dimensions using your electric or carving knife. Popular stadium cushion sizes are 14×14, 15×15, and 17×17, but you can customize your cushion to whatever size you deem fit. For this example, we’ll be using a 17×17 dimension.
- Measure your fabric with the ruler and cut it 20” wide by 40” long. Carefully measuring will ensure that there is enough fabric to cover the surface area of your cushion.
- Fold the fabric in half with the pattern sides facing each other and sew them together, leaving the top open so the foam can be inserted and at least ⅜ inch along the sides for the seam. Think of sewing a pillowcase!
- Flip the fabric so the pattern is facing right side out and insert the foam; sew the end of the fabric shut. Any excess fabric can be trimmed or tucked away at the end.
This beginner DIY is perfect for any sports fan who wants to show their team spirit at the big game with a customized cushion, all while reaping the benefits of padded seating. Take your stadium cushion beyond the stands and try it on benches, picnic tables, and long car rides. Wherever life takes you and your cushion, sit back, and relax!
