Ever stared at your sofa and thought, “Something’s missing here”? That’s the magic of a well-made cushion.
Handmade cushions aren’t just pretty extras - they’re your chance to inject colour, texture, and personality into any room without breaking the bank.
Whether you’re a total beginner with a pair of scissors and a sewing kit, or a seasoned stitcher dreaming of an small shop, this guide will take you from fabric choice to final flourish.
Ready to turn plain old cushions into your next favourite home accessory?
Let’s go.
Why create handmade cushions?
There are so many reasons to create handmade cushions, including:
1. Simplicity: If you’re new to sewing and want a simple project, cushion covers are excellent starting points. They’re much easier to create than curtains and other types of furnishings due to their simple shape.
2. Aesthetic Appeal: Making handmade cushions for your home means you won’t have to worry about them clashing with your decor, as you can match the patterns and colours to your needs.
3. Creativity: Many people love creating unique items, and making handmade cushions could be the perfect way to unwind.
4. Business Opportunities: Designers know they have to set themselves apart today more than ever before, but creating handmade cushions could also help you start a new business or side hustle.
1: Make the right fabric choice
Fabrics set the tone for your cushion and ensure it makes the right statement. For example, if you want to go for a luxury aesthetic, choosing high-end fabrics is essential. But if you’re creating cushions for laid-back interiors, you can enjoy more flexibility.
Here are some of the best fabric options for your cushions:
1. Cotton: Cotton offers a host of benefits for cushions because it’s easy to sew, highly versatile, and breathable. You’ll have no problems finding inspiring cotton cushion fabrics.
2. Velvet: You can’t go wrong with velvet cushion fabric, as it instantly creates a sense of luxury. Opting for rich and bold colours can show velvet in all its glory.
3. Boucle: If you’re looking for something unique, boucle fabric could be a great choice. It offers the luxurious feel of velvet, but it has a distinct aesthetic and will add cosy vibes to any room.
4. Faux Leather: Many people appreciate the feel and aesthetic of leather but avoid it for ethical reasons. Opting for faux leather cushion fabrics means you can achieve the same aesthetic while ensuring the cushions appeal to everyone.
Your fabric choice will depend on personal preferences, so consider what you want to achieve with the cushions and whether you’re more comfortable working with certain materials than others.
2: Consider cushion shape and size
While most homes use standard square cushions, you can get creative with the design and choose different shapes.
For example, some cushions come in long rectangular shapes, which are ideal for relaxation, while children’s cushions can replicate animals, cartoon characters, and other popular shapes.
Remember to consider your skills when choosing a shape - it’s much easier to create a square cushion than working on a complex star or sun.
3: Choose the style
Once you know the shape and size of your cushions and the fabric, you can focus on the most exciting part: choosing colours and patterns.
Some people prefer to keep it simple, while others see handmade cushions as an opportunity to get creative without disrupting their room's natural balance.
Plain colours
Prefer to keep things simple? Opt for classic tones that match your decor, including blue, grey, and red cushions. You’ll find a variety of shades, including subtle, neutral tones or bold colours that liven the cushions up.
Patterns
Patterns can suit contemporary and classic designs, but finding the right balance is vital. Modern-style fans will love working with animal print or geometric patterns, while traditionalists might prefer retro patterns.
The best classic handmade cushion patterns options include paisley, damask, and floral fabrics.
4: Order your fabric
Ordering your fabric from a specialist supplier like Yorkshire Fabric Shop can save you money and provide a convenient experience. Our made-to-measure service provides high-quality fabrics cut to your specifications.
Plus, our customers can order affordable samples before placing a large order to test the fabric before creating homemade cushions.
5: Create the cushions
This stage depends on whether you’re creating an envelope back or zip cushion. Once you have the basics nailed down, both processes are relatively simple.
However, beginners usually find envelope-back cushions easier to create because there's no need to fasten a zip.
Once you’ve created the cushion, you can fill it and add any decorative elements, including buttons, tassels, embroidery and piping.
6: Finish the cushions
Pressing your cushion cover with an iron to remove creases and ensure it looks clean is advisable.
Next, check the cushions carefully for issues such as loose seams. Then, you can either add them to your home or prepare to start selling.
Ready to create beautiful handmade cushion designs?
Making handmade cushions can be a great way to relax and enjoy getting creative - even if you’re not a designer. Once you start with the basics, you can work up to creating more complex designs that showcase your unique personality.
If you’re looking for superior-quality cushion fabrics, we have a vast collection available. With UK-wide delivery and a long-standing reputation for excellence, our affordable prices let you enjoy endless creativity.
Order some samples today and enjoy the convenience of shopping with us. Need any support? Please contact our customer service experts, and they’ll help you.