The Sewing Place

Cushion covers... how hard can they be??

BrendaP

Re: Cushion covers... how hard can they be??
« Reply #15 on: January 27, 2018, 09:55:47 AM »
There are so many ways to make cushions.

The most basic is how Low described; machine three sides and hand stitch the fourth.

Add a zip, either in one of the seams or across the middle of the back section, easier than in the seam.

Pillowcase style; IME these usually need a bit of help to stay closed - a button and buttonhole or a bit of velcro to hold the flap closed.

To make a cushion look plump you should always use a pad that's bigger than the outer case; ie 45cm x 45cm pad in a 40cm x 40cm pad.
Brenda.  My machines are: Corona, a 1953 Singer 201K-3, Caroline, a 1940 Singer 201K-3, Thirza, 1949 Singer 221K, Azilia, 1957 Singer 201K-MK2 and Vera, a Husqvarna 350 SewEasy about 20 years old. Also Bernina 1150 overlocker and Elna 444 Coverstitcher.
http://paternoster.orpheusweb.co.

Mozzy

Re: Cushion covers... how hard can they be??
« Reply #16 on: January 27, 2018, 15:22:44 PM »
Regarding the Moon fabric, I wanted mine to match front and back and as I had plenty of fabric it wasn’t a problem. I bought it at the Multiyork outlet shop in Warrington, which sadly has closed down before all the other stores.

In fact, I still have fabric left but can’t decide what to make. I have enough for lampshades but two things stop me doing them - one is the suspicion they wouldn’t let any light through and the other is that there would just be too much of the same fabric. Maybe a cover for the waste paper basket lol.

Kittensposies

Re: Cushion covers... how hard can they be??
« Reply #17 on: January 27, 2018, 18:53:04 PM »
Evening all!!

Thank you sooo much for all the fantastic ideas. I am feeling much braver! I also hate flappy corners so will definitely round them off, and will definitely go for the larger cushion pad too.

Ooh exciting, I may be sewing again after such a long absence!! 

I’ll keep you posted  <3

annierose

Re: Cushion covers... how hard can they be??
« Reply #18 on: February 03, 2018, 17:24:19 PM »
Fabricland do decent cushion pads, much cheaper than Merrick & Day - not quite such good quality, but mine are still comfy after several years!
When making a lot of cushions, I bought a zipper roll so I could cut exactly what I needed, and found it so much easier than fiddling to put a zip in. As I seem to need to wash mine fairly often (!) I don't really like sewing them up by hand.

I cut a square of the 'nice' fabric to the exact size of the pad (so the seam allowance then makes it a bit overstuffed). From the plain fabric I would cut the same size but 2 cms. longer one way - cut this in half and sew the zipper on to join them, with a 1cm allowance. Zip up, now 2 squares the same size that can be sewn together.

HenriettaMaria

Re: Cushion covers... how hard can they be??
« Reply #19 on: February 05, 2018, 16:51:20 PM »
I did some with a button back.  I cut the back with overlaps at the centre line, faced them with remnants of a toning cotton fabric I had to hand and made the buttonhole first, added the button, basted it together and then sewed right sides together all the way round. 

Kittensposies

Re: Cushion covers... how hard can they be??
« Reply #20 on: February 06, 2018, 20:59:11 PM »
Thanks for the suggestion @annierose, if I’m going to buy Moon fabric I need to economise somewhere!!

@HenriettaMaria I love button back cushions! Not sure which I dislike more though...sewing buttonholes or sewing zips ;)

I got some plain Moon wool in a sort of pale moss colour as an offcut from eBay. This will probably be the back of the cushions; just need to pluck up the courage to spent £50 on a metre of the Huntingtower check  :o

I got 2m of the moss colour, so I might make a whole cushion out of it to test the fabric first.

Taking my time over this... current debate is whether to do piping or not, as I may have accidentally bought a piping foot “just in case”!

Iminei

Re: Cushion covers... how hard can they be??
« Reply #21 on: February 07, 2018, 08:32:15 AM »
Just sticking my oar in here...



I finished this for the MIL's birthday this coming weekend ....



Its not over stuffed as the largest Feather inner I could find was 24" and the star block comes out around that, add the 1" border etc and you will have a slightly larger than you want cover.

Very pleased with the buttonholes! I made a practice one and then let The Splurgess get on with it!!!  :o Seriously, I pressed the Start button, got up and poured myself  a drink while she got on with them!  :P
The Imperfect Perfectionist sews again

rowe1311

Re: Cushion covers... how hard can they be??
« Reply #22 on: February 08, 2018, 19:30:35 PM »
I have just read through some of the posts.  Cushions are pretty easy, but I have only made a few, and have always done it the easiest way with the envelope fold and I have found they don't stick out much on the back.  I have only used cheap fabric, so I haven't been too precious about them though. 

I do, however, have more experience of baby puke and toddlers pee, and I think washable is a very very good idea! 

Kittensposies

Re: Cushion covers... how hard can they be??
« Reply #23 on: March 01, 2018, 17:57:02 PM »
Imi that cushion is gorgeous!!  I love the back!!  No way I'm getting into quilting though... I would be absolutely terrified!  All that geometry, and all those corners... *shudder*.  Maybe when I'm a bit more experienced?!

Rowe we have cat-barf coloured sofas for similar reasons lol.  I think the good cushions will be relegated to the nice chair, and I'll make some washable ones for the new sofa - which is stain-proofed (not had to test it... yet) for when the baby arrives.

4 months til mini-kitten turns up... holy moly.  Better get sewing cushions so I can actually enjoy them!!

Gernella

Re: Cushion covers... how hard can they be??
« Reply #24 on: March 02, 2018, 13:24:38 PM »
First time I ever did them, with some curtain fabric samples I got, I looked at a video.  One of those times when you look once and that's it, they are easy.  Unless of course you want to do one like Iminei, that is fabulous and way above my pay grade.
Stash extension 2024- 6.1 meters
Left at the end of 2023 - 66 meters now (includes fabric found hidden out of sight)  Lining fabric not included

lakaribane

Re: Cushion covers... how hard can they be??
« Reply #25 on: March 02, 2018, 13:34:01 PM »
The easiest cushion cover I  have made is just a long rectangle, with button bands at each end.  Turn these to the middle, sew across two ends, et voila, a cushion cover!

Stealing this!  :loveit:

Bloobell

Re: Cushion covers... how hard can they be??
« Reply #26 on: April 27, 2018, 10:37:22 AM »
I buy my feather pads from Allshapes Cushions.

http://www.feather-fibre-foam-cushions.co.uk/

They do custom sizes for really reasonable prices. I'd personally only use feather pads, because they can be fluffed. I don't like the way synthetic pads go flat really quickly, but I appreciate not everyone likes or can use feather.

crafter

Re: Cushion covers... how hard can they be??
« Reply #27 on: April 28, 2018, 01:34:58 AM »
I second that on feather cushion pads.  The finish is so much better and will last for years.

I make quite a few cushions and can now knock them up in minutes.  Cut two pieces the same size as your cushion pad.  On the first seam machine in 1" each side on what will be the bottom edge of your cushion.  Insert he zip in the gap - you are on a flat piece so easy peasy.  Then sew up the other three sides - overlock if you are fussy.

IMO envelopes, buttons, hand sewing the final seam, take much longer.  Piping can take longer but I haven't been asked for a piped cushion for yonks.  I think they are currently out of fashion.

Lowena

Re: Cushion covers... how hard can they be??
« Reply #28 on: April 28, 2018, 10:02:44 AM »
Ah @crafter  you haven't taken account of numptys like me who can't do zips  :(
Triumph of hope over experience :D

wrenkins

Re: Cushion covers... how hard can they be??
« Reply #29 on: April 28, 2018, 10:07:39 AM »
"Then sew up the other three sides - "
Remember to leave the zip open...ask me how I know... 8)
Harbouring resentment is like swallowing poison and waiting for the other person to die!