3-Minute Skills - Cushion Covers

Video HERE

Once again technician error... Now that I've found the Time Lapse setting on my camera I can't seem to remember to turn it off!

Cushion covers are the easiest projects to start using a sewing machine for - of course you can do it by hand, but who really wants to waste the time? I am making these to order, so taking that extra step to add linings for quality and flare isn't a problem. If you're doing them for yourself there is no reason not to keep them simple.

This kind of project is really quick, I finished the order for 4 covers in a couple of hours. You can adapt it for any size of cushion, just remember not to measure around the padding, but between the corners to get the correct flat size. If you want to revive some tired cushions that have lost some of their puff then make the covers 2-3cm (1") shorter on either side, this will squeeze the decrepit padding more, creating a fuller effect that shouldn't look too different from the original.

You Will Need:
Corduroy Fabric (Or whatever you like) cut to size*
Lining Fabric (if using)**
Buttons***
Matching Thread
Set Square
Ruler
Fabric Pen (or biro)
Pins
Sewing Machine (optional!)
Needle
Scissors

Method:

1. Wash and press your fabric before you start.
2. Mark out the pieces on the wrong side of your cushion fabric. For my 40cm square I have drawn lines at (button) 2:8:40:40:8:8 (button holes).
3. Fold over and sew a neat edge to one side of each piece of lining fabric, press if you like.
4. Button end - sew the thin strip of lining right-sides together along the first line, then fold back and top-stitch about 5mm (1/8") from the seam to cover the loose edge.
5. Button holes - Fold over the first 8cm and pin in place. From the right side mark out the placement of your buttons**** and then sew using whichever method you prefer.*****
6. Place the other lining piece right-side to the BACK of the buttonholes, tuck the edge under the flap and sew along about 5mm (1/4") from the top of the buttonholes.
7. Use long pins to mark the mid point, then turn the fabric right-side up. Fold over the button hole side first, aligning the first line with the centre. Pin in place and mark the side seam over the lining. Fold over the other side, aligning the centre again. Pin and mark the seam.
8. Sew along the seam with a straight stitch of about 3-4mm (1/8"-3/16"), then again just beyond the seam with a zig-zag stitch to hold everything together (do not take this stitch all the way to the ends, stop about 15mm/ 1/2" short)
9. Trim the corners and any excess to about 15mm (1/2")****** then turn the right way around, pushing out the corners with CLOSED scissors to make them sharp and neat.
10. Pull the flaps level together and mark through the centre of the buttonholes to position the buttons, then sew the buttons in place.*******
11. Finish by pressing if you like, fluffy fabric like this requires going over with a strip of tape or a lint roller to get rid of any loose bits.

*My covers are for 40cm (16") square cushions so my fabric is cut to around 106x45cm (42"x18")
**I'm using a dark green cotton, 10x45cm and 20x45cm (4"x18" and 8"x18") per cushion
***I have calculated the width of the overlap and button flap by doubling the width of the buttons - in this case 4x2=8cm. This is going to give me an overlap of about 15-16cm (6") so there is no chance of the cushion peeping through if the buttons are pulled tight.
****As I am using a corded fabric it is easy to drop the machine needle into the valley between cords. ALWAYS try a practice hole on a scrap first. I usually aim for the width of the button plus 2x the thickness then see how that works on the practice piece before moving on.
*****In a future 3M video I will go over a number of buttonhole techniques. For this fabric I outlined the hole with very tight stitches rather than using a machine setting.
******Don't trim tight to the corner, leave a few mm or the corner might start to fray over time. Use pinking shears if the fabric is liable to fray, or add a thin bead of fabric glue to the raw ends.
*******Depending on your fabric you might want to use some scrap fabric to support the button stitching from the inside. I use a piece of folded lining and then trim it back so that it sits neatly inside. I also dab a bit of fabric glue onto the stitches in the button to help things stay in place over time.