How to Make a Tailored Cushion Cover

Create your own tailored cushion covers

Tailored cushion covers give a finished look to any piece of furniture it's used on. The crisp, square corners, edged with piping says, "I'm a piece of furniture, not just another pillow" Add a tailored cushion to a chair, window seat or even pile three-high on the floor for extra setting.

Things You'll Need

• Cushion pad, should be at least four to five inches thick
• Fabric
• Piping (ready-made or make your own to match fabric)
• Scissors
• Tread matched to fabric
• Sewing machine
• Straight pins
• Tape Measure
• Zipper, length should be two to three inches less than one-half the total circumference of the cushion (zipper should go around the entire back of the cushion, plush one-quarter of the way on either o

Instructions

1. Measure and cut fabric pieces for steps 2, 3 & 4:

2. CUT TOP AND BOTTOM CUSHION PIECES
   -Measure the length and width of the top of the cushion
   -Add a seam allowance of 5/8-inch on all four sides
   -Cut 2 pieces (top and bottom)

3. CUT FRONT AND BACK CUSHION BANDS
   -Measure around one half of cushion
   -Add a seam allowance of 5/8-inch on the top and bottom of band
   -Add four-inches to overall length
   -Cut 3 pieces

4. CUT PIPING
   -Measure enough to go around the circumference of the cushion with a little overlap
   -Cut 2 pieces

5. Pin and sew piping to the right side of the top piece of the cushion cover. Piping seam should align with the seam allowance of the cushion (when the cushion is turned right side out, the piping is exposed). Clip the seam on one end of the piping. Cut the cord ends inside the piping so they just meet and slip the lose end of the piping fabric over the other. Finish sewing piping to the cushion.

6. Repeat the above instructions for the bottom cushion cover.

7. For the back cushion band, press two of the three bands in half lengthwise. Sew the zipper between the two bands of folded fabric.

8. With right sides together, sew the front and back cushion bands together. At this point, the cushion band will much larger than the top and bottom cushion pieces. Lap the two ends of the front band over the back zippered cushion band (each end of the zipper will have fabric overlapping). Tack at the seam allowance to hold the overlaps in place.

9. With right sides together, pin and sew top and bottom cushion covers to cushion band. Clip the seam allowances at the corners before turning.

10. Insert the cushion pad into the cover, zip and enjoy your new cushion covers.

Tips & Warnings

• You may want to do a trail run with muslin fabric. Make adjustments as needed and use the muslin pieces at a pattern.

• Use fastening tape instead of a zipper, but remember to add an additional 1-1/2 inches of fabric to overlap the tape.