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Cushion measuring guide


To get the best look and fit for your cushions, covers should always be slightly smaller than the cushion inner. This helps maintain a good plump shape, especially with duck feather inners which tend to settle into corners. For a cushion inner 45cm x 45cm, the actual size of the cushion cover should be around 42.5cm x 42.5cm. One metre of standard width (137cm) furnishing fabric is enough for three plain cushions with either zip or standard button fastening to fit up to 45cm x 45cm size. Other styles of cushion will need more fabric.

Cushions are great for using up offcuts and remnants. I've given a guide below to show exactly what you need for each type of cushion and how the pieces work together. I always try to keep waste to an absolute minimum, so I work with only a small seam allowance of 1cm - this is included in the measurements given below.

You don't need to cut your fabric for your cushions, I'll do that for you. You just need to make sure you have enough fabric to make your choice of cushion covers.
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For a plain cushion cover with zip fastening:

You will need two pieces of fabric the same size as the cushion inner you are using.

For a cushion cover to fit a 45cm inner, you will need:
  • two pieces of fabric 45cm long x 45cm wide
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For a plain cushion cover with standard button fastening:

You will need one piece of fabric the same size as the cushion inner you are using, plus two smaller pieces to form the buttoned flap front.

For a cushion cover to fit a 45cm inner, you will need:
  • one piece of fabric 45cm long x 45cm wide
  • one piece of fabric 25cm long x 45cm wide, and
  • one piece of fabric 30cm long x 45cm wide
Note: This will not produce a cushion with a pattern match to the buttoned side. If you want a perfect pattern match, you may need considerably more fabric depending on the pattern repeat.
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For a piped edge cushion cover with zip fastening:

You will need two pieces of fabric slightly larger than the cushion inner you are using, plus a long narrow piece for the piping.

For a cushion cover to fit a 45cm inner, you will need:
  • two pieces of fabric 47cm long x 47cm wide, and
  • one piece of fabric 190cm long x 5cm wide (this can be made from two shorter pieces joined together as long as the total length is 190cm)

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For a piped cushion cover with standard button fastening:

You will need one piece of fabric slightly larger than the cushion inner you are using, two smaller pieces to form the button flap front, plus a long narrow piece for the piping.

For a cushion cover to fit a 45cm inner, you will need:
  • one piece of fabric 47cm long x 47cm wide
  • one piece of fabric 26cm long x 47cm wide
  • one piece of fabric 31cm long x 47cm wide, and
  • one piece of fabric 190cm long x 5cm wide (this can be made from two shorter pieces joined together as long as the total length 190cm)
Note: This will not produce a cushion with a pattern match to the buttoned side. If you want a perfect pattern match, you may need considerably more fabric depending on the pattern repeat.
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Fabric covered buttons

Fabric covered buttons can be made using scraps.

For each button, you will need:
  • one piece of fabric 5cm x 5cm
How much fabric do I need?   This quick guide shows how much fabric you will need per cushion
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