STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE

How to make an envelope cushion

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You will need

Three 46cm cushions
0.8m x 137cm each of three coordinating fabrics
Scissors
Tape measure
Matching threads
Pins
Sewing machine

Add an inviting touch to your sofa with these quick and easy-to-make envelope cushions. Just follow our easy instructions...

Time to complete job: Two hours
Approximate budget: About £8-£10 per cushion, depending on the type of fabric

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Video: How to make a cushion cover

Step 1: Cutting out the pieces

For our 46cm cushion pad, we used approximately 80cm of 137cm-wide fabric and cut the following pieces:

Main cover 95 x 49cm
Two ties, 36 x 10cm each
Flap 49 x 18cm
Facing 49 x 15cm
Step 2: Sewing the ties

Take two strips for ties, press in half, right sides together. Stitch along one short edge and the long edge using a 1.5cm seam allowance. Turn through. Press with right sides together, raw edges matching, pin to central point at opposite ends of fabric.
Step 3: Attaching the ties to the cushion

Hem one long side of the flap piece to wrong side with a narrow double hem and place the flap right sides facing, over the raw ends of the tie, at end of the main cover piece. Stitch along seam from end to end using a 1.5cm seam allowance.
Step 4: Attaching the facing fabric

Press the facing piece in half, wrong sides facing, and place at the other end of the cover over the tie (as with the flap). Stitch along the seam, right sides together, using a 1.5cm seam allowance. Press facing to wrong side.
Step 5: Stitching the cushion together

Fold the main cover in half with the top edges together and right sides facing, leaving the flap free. Pin down the side edges then fold the flap over and stitch down both side seams using a 1.5cm seam allowance.
Step 6: Finishing

Turn through your finished cover and insert the cushion pad. Place the flap neatly over the end of the cushion pad inside the cover (just like a normal pillowcase), then make a neat bow by fastening with your ties to finish.
Alternative idea: Covered buttons

Covered buttons add a smart tailored look to the cushion. The metal buttons are designed to be covered with fabric in seconds and come in a range of sizes. If you are a novice, instead of machine-stitching buttonholes, hand-sew the buttons to the top of the cover and use hidden Velcro dots or poppers to fasten.
Alternative idea: Rouleau ties

These mini ties are made from 4cm-wide strips of fabric and are attached in the same way as the large ties before you attach the flap and facing piece. Narrow strips are difficult to turn through so buy a rouleau hook. Simply insert the hook into the fabric strip and pull through before attaching to the cover piece.

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