How to Sew Your Own V-Berth Cushions Like a Pro

You can save money by making your own v-berth cushions with supplies from Sailrite and by watching this tutorial video. For maximum comfort we layered the foam for these v-berth cushions with a firm foam on the bottom and a soft foam on top. This layering technique helps to prevent bottoming out, which should provide the best possible sleep while on a boat. The cushion covers are made with a solution-dyed acrylic performance fabric called Outdura®, which is a highly UV resistant and stain resistant; it’s a quality fabric that will last for years. It is not that difficult to make your own cushions following this steps in this video. Let’s get started!
Intro - 0:00
Patterning V-Berth - 1:22
Layering Foam - 5:01
Cutting Foam to Size - 8:18
Cutting Wedge - 16:10
Cutting Top & Bottom Plate - 18:02
Cutting Moisture Prevention Underliner - 20:41
Cutting Seamed Corner Boxing Strips - 21:31
Cutting Boxing Length to Match Plate Edges - 25:58
Creating Zipper Plaque - 28:32
Joining Boxing Together - 37:40
Sewing Boxing to Top Plate - 39:20
Sewing Bottom Plate to Assembly - 48:11
Inserting Foam - 52:30
Materials List:
Dura-Skrim® Patterning Material 74" - SKU: 103134 www.sailrite.com/Dura-Skrim-2-Patterning-Material-74
CushionRite® Premium Antimicrobial Foam (Firm) - SKU: 124236 www.sailrite.com/CushionRite-Premium-Antimicrobial-Foam-Firm
CushionRite® Premium Foam (Soft) - SKU: 124230 www.sailrite.com/CushionRite-Premium-Foam-Soft
CushionRite® Foam & Fabric Spray Adhesive 16.9 oz. - SKU: 125476 www.sailrite.com/CushionRite-Foam-Fabric-Spray-Adhesive
Outdura® 54" Upholstery Fabric - we used Flurry Neptune (6932) - SKU: 124760 www.sailrite.com/Fabrics/Marine-Fabric/Brand/Outdura
Cushion Underlining Black 54" Fabric - SKU: 772100 www.sailrite.com/Cushion-Underlining-Black-54
Moisture Prevention Underliner 60" x 90" - SKU: 121766 www.sailrite.com/Moisture-Prevention-Underliner-60-x-90
Lenzip® #5 Black Continuous Molded Tooth Zipper Chain - SKU: 124253 www.sailrite.com/Lenzip-5-Black-Continuous-Zipper-Chain-Molded-Tooth
Seamstick 1/4" Basting Tape for Canvas & Upholstery (36 yds.) - SKU: 122065 www.sailrite.com/Seamstick-1-4-Basting-Tape-for-Canvas-Upholstery-36-Yards
Lenzip® #5 Black Locking Delrin® Zipper Pull (Molded Tooth Chain) - SKU: 125130 www.sailrite.com/Lenzip-5-Black-Style-A-Single-Locking-Delrin-Zipper-Pull-Molded-Tooth-Chain
Tools List:
Sailrite® Clear Acrylic Ruler 6" x 24" - SKU: 102400 www.sailrite.com/Clear-Acrylic-Ruler-6-x-24
3M™ Specialty Adhesive Remover 32 oz. (Quart) - SKU: 108984 www.sailrite.com/3M-Specialty-Adhesive-Cleaner-32oz-Quart
Multiuse Pins 1-1/2" (250 pack) - SKU: 102985 www.sailrite.com/Multi-Use-Pins-1-1-2-250-Pins
Sailrite® Blade Foam Saw V2 with Carrying Case (110V) - SKU: 121244 www.sailrite.com/Sailrite-Blade-8-Foam-Cutter-with-Carrying-Case-110V
Sailrite® Edge Cordless Hotknife 18V Package - SKU: 122177 www.sailrite.com/Sailrite-Edge-Cordless-Hotknife-18V-Package
Precision Cutting Blade & Foot for Edge Hotknife - SKU: 125495 www.sailrite.com/Precision-Cutting-Blade-Foot-for-Hotknives
Scribe-All® Water Soluble White Marking Pencil - SKU: 120681 www.sailrite.com/Scribe-All-Water-Soluble-Marking-Pencil-White
Professional Stainless Steel 10" Scissors - SKU: 123615 www.sailrite.com/Professional-Stainless-Steel-10-Scissors
Deluxe Tape Measure 120" - SKU: 123120 www.sailrite.com/Deluxe-Tape-Measure-120
Chalk Pen White - SKU: 123131 www.sailrite.com/Chalk-Pen-White
Small Fabric/Leather Clips (50 pack) - SKU: 123121 www.sailrite.com/Small-Fabric-Clips-50-pack
Sailrite® Canvas Patterning Ruler - SKU: 107040 www.sailrite.com/Sailrite-Canvas-Patterning-Ruler
Sailrite® Ultrafeed® LSZ Walking Foot Sewing Machine (110V) - SKU: 311602 www.sailrite.com/Sailrite-Ultrafeed-LSZ-Walking-Foot-Sewing-Machine-110V
Sailrite® Ultrafeed® Industrial Sewing Table - SKU: 120934 www.sailrite.com/Sailrite-Ultrafeed-Industrial-Sewing-Table
Seam Ripper Deluxe - SKU: 18104 www.sailrite.com/Seam-Ripper-Deluxe
Suisei Magnetic Sewing Guide - SKU: 102983 www.sailrite.com/Magnetic-Sewing-Guide
Painters Tape, Marker, Tape Measure, Straight Edge

[@johnrathbun2943]

Now I know how to sew a cushion cover for the V-birth. I'm glad I've got the hard part out of the way. Now I just need to get a sailboat. 😅

[@JD2jr.]

Right? Don't get me wrong, these are fantastic videos that include lots of valuable information that can be used in all kinds of circumstances, but... I definitely find myself wondering why I'm watching something I will never use...

[@SailriteDIY]

Don't forget the most important part - the sailboat! Cushion covers are nice, but a boat is a bit more essential.

[@natemesser199]

Wow, that looks Great! They fit better than the stock cushions did. Great video, can't wait for another one

[@SailriteDIY]

Glad you liked it. Cockpit cushions coming next.

[@ewjorgy]

Another great instructional video full of tips and tricks! Thank you so much for taking the time and effort to share this with all of us! All the best from California 🧡

[@SailriteDIY]

Thanks a bunch for watching and for the support from California!

[@AlexMotan1]

Another excellent presentation. Thank you, and keep them coming!

[@SailriteDIY]

I'm glad you enjoyed it! Your support means a lot to me.

[@davestewart9146]

Wow the cushion turned out amazing, thank you 👍😁

[@SailriteDIY]

I'm glad you liked how the cushion turned out!

[@debbiewingate2113]

Thank you for all your time and effort. I would like to see you using the fabricator more often . That's the machine I'm saving for!

[@SailriteDIY]

The next project is cockpit cushions and we will use the Sailrite Fabricator for that cushion making project, as you wish. Coming soon!!!

[@kameltoes2625]

I like this video better than the older v-berth cushion video ( with the yellow striped fabric). It is easier to follow.

[@SailriteDIY]

Excellent! Glad you liked it.

[@pitbull1969rr]

@@SailriteDIY how much fabric did you used for this particular V-berth?

[@dennishively5994]

Great video , thank you for sharing

[@SailriteDIY]

Thank you for taking the time to watch and comment, it means a lot to me!

[@kameltoes2625]

I believe that there may be an error in the dialogue. In the section where you are cutting the boxing strips to match the length of the top plate, at 26:20 you state that the inside surfaces of the boxing should be facing inside surfaces of the top plate. I believe that it should state that the OUTSIDE surfaces should be facing each other, not the inside surfaces, as we are sewing the cushion inside-out. (??).

[@SailriteDIY]

Oh.... no you are correct. At 26:20 it should be outside surfaces should face each other. Thanks for catching that!!!!

[@kameltoes2625]

Is here any difference in the ease of installing the foam (in my case 5" foam) with the zipper on the boxing (zipper plaque) vs having the zipper on bottom plate?

[@SailriteDIY]

In my opinion installing the zipper in the bottom plate is easier than installing it in the boxing. We have a new Cockpit cushion video coming soon that shows installing the zipper in the bottom plate and using a continuous boxing instead of seamed corner boxing. Be watching for that video coming soon!

[@tortillamilk]

You made the side panel with the wedge and zipper the same height as the other sides because it was only .25 inches more than the others. What if the wedge side was bigger - say .50 inches? How would you make the transition from the regular size sides to the taller wedge side?

[@tortillamilk]

I think I just figured it out. When you mark and cut the side panels connecting to the wedge panel, you cut them at an angle and that angled cut is probably as long as the width of the wedge panel.

[@kameltoes2625]

What is the benefit of making a zipper plaque vs. just putting the zipper in the bottom plate (like in the snap down bow cushion video)? The bottom plate zipper appears easier to install with less chance of not having the corners match up...

[@SailriteDIY]

It is much easier to install the zipper in the bottom plate than in the boxing. You are totally correct!!!

[@Chris97302]

Why do you put the zipper on the angled edge vs the straight edge where the cushions meet? Does it keep the cushions closer or is there some other reason?

[@SailriteDIY]

Usually the zipper goes against the hall or wall of the boat in most V-Berth Cushions. In doing that, the occupant will in no way feel the zipper teeth when sleeping.

[@WadeMcLure]

"Say-a-rite" ;-)

[@SailriteDIY]

"Say-a-rite" back at you! ;-)