One of the easiest ways to keep up with changing interior design trends is to sew your own throw
cushion covers. Making up a cushion sleeve is simple, even if you are not experienced with a sewing
machine. Before you begin, gather together your materials and tools.
You should start with around 137cm of 45-inch fabric, or about 91cm of 55-inch fabric, a pencil, glass
(of the drinking variety), ironing board and an iron. In addition to a sewing machine, you will also
require a pair of scissors, a handful of pins and a sufficient amount of thread. The scissors will be fine
for cutting fabric, but you might prefer to use a rotary cutter.
Measure and cut
Measure your fabric. One will want to cut a 21-inch by 21-inch square for the front part of the
cushion. Two rectangles measuring 13 inches by 21 inches will be required for the back of the
cushion. You can produce rounded corners to make the task of sewing easier (especially when
you have to turn the fabric). You can achieve this by positioning the glass on the other side of the
material. Then trace around it with the pencil. You should do this on each corner of the square fabric
and two of the long-edge corners on each of the rectangular pieces. Simply cut around the area
marked by the pencil. This will reveal the straight edges on both of the rectangular pieces, so it is
important to hem them for a neat finish. Fold over about a quarter of an inch of the raw straight
edge on each of the rectangles, then fold again, pin and stitch.
Pin together and sew
Next pin the whole cover together. Place the square face up on your work surface, then place one
of the rectangles face down on top. Make sure the rounded corners are positioned on the outside
before lining them up and pinning them. This can be tricky and it is surprisingly easy stretch the
material, so take care.
Position the other rectangular piece face down on top of the first. If you have done everything right,
the hemmed edges should just overlap. Pin this rectangle carefully, as before. Make sure that any
pins hiding under the overlap are removed to prevent problems when stitching later. Sew around
the cushion cover edges, removing pins as you go before the fabric passes through the sewing
machine.
Turn the completed cover inside out to reveal the right side of the fabric. Press with a hot iron and
fill with a cushion pad. Voilà! Your new cushion cover is finished. Pretty throw cushions can make
the plainest sofa look like a designer piece and can even be placed on a bed to give a small double mattress a touch of luxury.
Seasonal fabrics
Choosing a washable fabric is a clever move, as this will allow your covers to be removed and
laundered, keeping them fresh and clean. You can also regularly change your style by picking out
several types of fabric, which can be changed every season. Plush velvet is wonderful for winter,
while light cotton seersucker is cool for the summer. Changing your cushion covers is an easy and
cheap way to keep abreast of new furnishing trends and can be tailored to suit any changes in your
colour scheme, making changing your whole look affordable and simple.
*This is a sponsored guest post by Zoe for Archers Sleep Centre. Zoe is a blogging enthusiast who loves to cover a variety of topics, including health, home improvements, fashion and beauty. Zoe is currently writing for Archers Sleep Centre.
