How to Ruche a Cushion

You can attach ruched fabric to any cushion, whether purchased or homemade.

Ruched fabric is created from strips of material that are bunched tightly together to create a gathered look. Pillows and cushions made from ruched fabric are fashionable and add personality to any room they decorate. Although they can be purchased from many home decorating stores, ruched cushions can easily be made at home in your choice of sizes and fabrics and selected to match your particular decor. When piled on top of a chair or couch, homemade ruched cushions add a touch of decorative comfort to any room.

Things You'll Need

• Foam pad, cut to the correct size
• Fabric for cushion cover
• Coordinating thread
• Fabric for ruching
• Measuring tape
• Scissors
• Sewing pins
• Fabric pencil
• Sewing machine

Instructions

Making The Cushion

1. 

   Measure the length and width of your foam pad.

   Measure the length and width of your foam pad, which should already be cut to the proper size. Add 1 inch each to the length and width. Write down the measurements.

2. 

   Cut two pieces of fabric for your cushion cover.

   Cut two pieces of the fabric chosen for your cushion cover, using the measurements you wrote down. You should now have two identical pieces of cut fabric.

3. 

   Pin three edges of the fabric together.

   Lay the pieces of fabric on top of one another, with the right sides facing each other. Pin three edges of the fabric together, leaving the fourth side open.

4. 

   Sew the three pinned edges together.

   Sew the three pinned edges together. Turn the cushion cover inside out. Then, insert your piece of cut foam.

5. 

   Stitch the fabric closed.

   Turn under the edges of the remaining, unsewn side. Pin the top and bottom edges together. Then, stitch the fabric closed.

Making The Ruched Fabric

1. Measure the length of your cushion. Multiply this number by four. This will be the length of the fabric strips you will need to use.

2. Measure and cut a strip of fabric, 2 inches wide and the length measurement calculated in step one.

3. Fold this strip of fabric in half width-wise, right sides facing out. Press down on the fold to help define it. Then, unfold the fabric.

4. Fold the edges of the fabric inward and right side out, lining up the edges with the pressed fold. Press these newly folded edges firmly, to help them more easily stay in place. Then, turn the folded fabric strip over, so that the solid edge is facing up.

5. Draw sawtooth-shaped lines down the length of the fabric, using your fabric pencil. The sawtooth pattern should stretch from edge to edge, forming triangle shapes down the length of the fabric.

6. Stitch along these lines, using long stitches. The stitches can be somewhat loose and messy. If you are using a sewing machine, adjust it to the longest stitch length possible. When you reach the end of the fabric, leave a four-inch tail of thread.

7. Gently pull the tail of the thread while pushing the fabric in the other direction. The fabric should begin to ruche as you do this. Lay your ruched strip of fabric against your cushion, making sure it has been ruched to the proper length.

8. Attach the ruched fabric strip to the cushion by pinning it in your desired spot. Sew the ruched fabric to the cushion, using small stitches.

9. Make more ruched fabric strips, adding them to your cushion until you have finished your design. You can add only a strip of ruching to one side of the cushion, if desired, or use it to cover the entire surface.

Tips & Warnings

• You can also sew your handmade ruching to any store bought cushion.

References

• Sew4Home: How To: Ruching Strips
• Making Your Own: Make Your Own Cushions