How to Make Personalized Cushions

Create a customized cushion as a way to update a living room or bedroom.

Handcrafted cushions are one way to give a room a simple, inexpensive style makeover. Changing out the textiles on couch pillows, chair cushions or bedding pillows gives a room a new, updated look. Cushion making does not require extensive sewing skills, just the ability to sew a straight line with a sewing machine. Personalize homemade cushions with a simple, iron-on monogram.

Things You'll Need

• Cushion pad, 18-inches wide
• Machine washable fabric, 20-inches by 54-inches
• Ruler
• Fabric scissors
• Sewing machine
• Matching thread
• Straight pins
• Iron
• Ironing board
• Image
• Computer
• Imaging software
• Scanner
• Printer
• Iron-on transfer paper

Instructions

1. Place the cushion fabric face down on the table. Place a cushion pad on top of the fabric and cut out a rectangle measuring 2-inches wider than the cushion in all directions. Cut out another rectangle of fabric using the same measurements.

2. Place the two rectangles of fabric on top of one another so their right sides are touching. Use straight pins to secure the two pieces together about 1 1/4-inches in from the edge.

3. Sew three sides of the fabric rectangles together 1-inch from the edge, using a sewing machine. Remove the straight pins from the fabric as you go to prevent breaking the sewing machine's needle. Set up the ironing board. Turn the iron on a cool setting and smooth out any wrinkles in the fabric.

4. Flip the fabric right side out through the open end of the rectangle. Place the cushion pad inside the fabric. Tuck the edges of the fabric on the open end inside the cushion about 1-inch. Secure with straight pins. Use the sewing machine to sew the edge together.

5. Select an image, such as an initial for a monogram. If the image is located in a book, scan it into the computer. Use an imaging software to create a reverse of the original image.

6. Load an ink-jet printer with iron-on transfer paper. Follow the instructions on the paper's packaging as different brands require different loading techniques. Print the image on to the iron-transfer paper.

7. Cut the image out leaving a tiny border, about 1/8-inch wide. Heat the iron on medium heat. Center the image face down on the cushion. Now the image should appear right side up. Use the iron to transfer the image on to the cushion.

Tips & Warnings

• This project can be used to create any size cushion. Just cut apart an existing cushion at the seams and use the fabric as a pattern. Use a weatherproof fabric to make an outdoor cushion. Consult a salesperson at a local fabric store if you are unsure what to purchase.

References

• The Guardian: How to Make Cushion Covers
• Channel 4: Design and Style How-to Guides: How to Make an Envelope Cushion
• All About You: Getting Started with Cushion Making
• Martha Stewart: Iron-on Monogram with Petals