How to Cover Cushions

Add style and glamor to decor with hand-sewn cushion covers.

Cushions add the finishing touch to a room decor and add a touch of luxury and comfort. Making your own covers for cushions allows you to quickly alter the look of a room, going from bright and summery to warm and inviting in the cooler months. Make cushion covers for the bedroom and create a coordinated, layered look on the bed with cushions ranging from large to small.

Things You'll Need

• Fabric
• Ruler
• Pencil
• Scissors
• Iron
• Pins
• Needle
• Thread

Instructions

1. Measure the cushion you want to cover. Take both width and length measurements.

2. Cut the fabric to the exact width of the cushion and two times the length.

3. Lay the fabric with the patterned side down and turn up a small hem on both short ends. Iron the hem in place, then turn up another hem and iron again. Hold the hems in place with pins, then stitch either by hand or machine.

4. Lay down the fabric with the patterned side, or right side, facing you. Fold both hemmed edges into the middle so they overlap, making a square of fabric with a double thickness that is the same size as the cushion. Pin the open edges together through all fabric layers.

5. Stitch the pinned seams, leaving a small seam allowance. Turn the cushion cover right side out.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't leave a seam allowance when measuring the cushion. The cover should fit snugly and hold the cushion pad firmly to shape so the cushion looks plump.

• Stitch this simple cushion cover by hand if you don't have a sewing machine.

• Use fabric left over from larger projects to make small cushion covers. Old drapes, curtains, tablecloths or clothes are also ideal for making cushion covers.

• Embellish cushions with buttons or bows, strips of ribbon or beads and sequins. If cutting up old shirts or blouses, cut the fabric so the button front of the garment runs down the center of the cushion as an instant feature.

References

• The Guardian; Make a Simple Cushion Cover; January 2010