Tutorial - How to make an Envelope Cushion Cover
These cushion covers are so easy to make, and we have to say more than a little addictive! They're a great way of updating your living space; and a quick way of making an individual and unique statement for your home.
We started with some very simple covers using the same fabric for the back and front, these ones still have impact, largely because of the prints we've chosen to make them up in. The cushion above, for example, is made in Ellen Luckett Baker's Half Round in Gold, this is such a statement fabric and has become a firm favourite of ours!
Another great fabric for these cushion covers is Echino's Samber in Natural, again this fabric speaks for itself and looks fantastic when used for both the back and front.
You could also mix it up by using a different fabric on the back to the front. For the cushion below we've used Nani Iro for Kokka's Pierre Pocho in Natural for the front and teamed it with Robert Kaufman's Essex Linen in Steel for the back pieces.
You will need:
- Cushion insert, for the purposes of this tutorial we've chosen to make a cover for an insert measuring 40cm X 40cm, but feel free to make whatever size you prefer
- Fabric of your choice, for the front panel you'll need a piece 42cm X 42cm (this allows for a 1cm seam allowance for a cushion insert measuring 40cm X 40cm); and for the two back panels, 2 pieces each measuring 42cm X 30cm.
- Matching Cotton Thread
- Dressmakers Scissors
- Tape Measure
- Sewing Pins
- Sewing Gauge (not essential, but it makes turning a hem so much easier and quicker!)
- Bamboo Point Turner
To make:
Pre-wash your fabric before starting.
Cut out the front panel as the measurements above if you're making a cover for a 40cm cushion insert, you want the cover to fit snugly.
Next cut the two back panels measuring 42cm X 30cm. Each of these panels needs to be hemmed along one of the 42cm sides. To do this first turn a 1cm hem, pinning as you go (as shown below) and press into place; turn this hem again and iron to create a double fold hem.
Top stitch this folded hem on the right side of the fabric close to the turned edge.
Next place the front panel piece right side up on your work surface. Then lay one of the back pieces right side down onto the front panel, with the unfinished 42cm side lined up with the outer edge of the front cushion piece.
Take the second back panel piece and again place it right side down onto the other fabric pieces, as with the other back piece, the unfinished 42cm side lined up with the outer edge of the front cushion piece.
Pin these pieces in place. Then stitch round all four sides of the cushion cover with a 1cm seam allowance, at each corner sink the needle down, lift the foot and pivot the fabric 90 degrees.
Trim the seams to 5mm, and trim the corners, as shown above, to ensure a neat finish. We finished our seams with a zig zag stitch, but this isn't essential.
Turn your cover inside out, give it a good press and there you have it, your own bespoke cushion cover!