What are cushions?
Many think of cushions as small square soft objects or scatter cushions. These are used to make sitting on a harder chair more comfortable. Others would say a cushion is the base of the chair or settee and especially important when sitting on outdoor furniture. Then there is the cushion that goes behind the back of the person sitting on the chair or settee. In some countries, the word “cushion” is replaced with “pillow.” All the above are correct, as cushions make sitting a lot more comfortable, and there are many different types of designs.
Types of cushions:
Quillows:
These types of cushions are made to include a single bed-size quilt inside that is used for the padding when the quilt is not in use.
The cushion’s front and the quilt are attached, and when the quilt is pulled out, the cushion’s front can act as a foot pocket. The cushion’s back and the quilt are made of the same material, and the front is hidden.
Storage problems are not an issue, as they resemble ordinary cushions and will fit perfectly on the chair or settee until the quilt is needed.
Turning it back into a cushion will only take a few folds and a bit of fitting back into the casing and some practice.
Features:
- Snuggling up on the settee in the evening to watch television, a wonderful way to save money on heating.
- A comfort blanket for children, ideal for the bath/bedtime routine, and a way to wind down from a hectic day.
- An extra layer for warmth at sleepovers or in student rooms.
- Giving a sparse room more of a homely feel, be it in an institution or house.
- A handy mat/cover for yoga or meditation.
- An added layer when camping or caravanning.
The cushion front sometimes shows a picture, and the cover has top stitching to enhance the detail, with the final product having a quilting effect.
Other types of interest could include musical themes, with the front cover featuring piano keys or guitars and the inside quilt displaying musical notes.
Bordered Cushions
Like a frill, bordered cushions can make a cushion’s size seem larger than it really is.
The type of border is either single, double, or padded. They can be used with other decorations like piping or ribbon, but they’re pretty enough on their own. The end result is entirely up to your taste.
Some other names for bordered cushions are “flanged” and “Oxford.” Usually, these words are used when buying pillowcases.
The simplest type extends the cushion size beyond the filling area. The simplest type will have a padded area, then a line of stitching with the edge of the cushion a specified distance away from this line of edging.
This simpler version is also known as the false Oxford. The proper Oxford cushion has two borders.
Boxed Edged Cushions
Boxed-edge cushions are similar to a simple cushion, but this design has a side edge or gusset added to it. This side edge gives the cushion more depth whether it is small or large.
These cushions are usually found on chairs and settees in the living room. This shape is also found on window seats. Having the extra piece between the front and the back of the cushion gives extra strength and is especially beneficial if the cushion is going to need to be hard-wearing.
This shape is ideal as a cushion for metal, wood, or plastic outdoor furniture, as a seat on its own for picnics, or as a bench at sports venues. These are very transportable and could be carried to such events to give extra comfort while sitting.
Piped Edge Cushions
Another name for a cushion with a piped edge is a corded cushion.
You can easily transform a basic cushion design into one with a piped edge by inserting a covered cord into the seam.
This type of edge can give the cushion a touch of elegance while also providing shape and strength. The edge can be made from the same or contrasting material.
These edges can be seen on cushions for patio furniture, on settees and comfortable chairs.
There are variations of this design, such as gathered pipes and mock pipes. The overall effect is a raised, almost padded edge to the cushion.
This design of cushion works well for chair or settee backs and bases.
Squab Cushions
Squab cushions are a thinner type of cushion used to give a soft feel to traditional chairs for the kitchen, dining room or outside.
These cushions are usually made to fit the shape of the seat and are fastened to the chair with tie fastenings or Velcro strips.
Larger fastenings can be used, such as ribbons or bows, if you want an elaborate look, like at a wedding or party celebration.
The cushions are for wooden or plastic chairs, and the fastenings keep them from falling off.
These types of cushions are very widely available in many shops and online outlets.
Bolster Pillows or Cushions
They are elongated tubes with rounded ends to give a cylindrical shape. Originally, they were used mainly to provide support to the head when sleeping, so they were bolster pillows. This pillow provided a firm base and usually covered the whole width of the bed. Then softer pillows were placed on top.
When using these, sitting on a chair or settee or along the sides of wooden chairs, they provide added comfort and support to areas of the body.
Although nowadays these have a much softer filling of down and feathers or polyester fiber.
Overall, these were mostly decorative and could be ornate, made from heavy fabrics with tassels and other embellishments.
A cushion’s finishing touches can transform a room. Varying the shape, color, and even texture will improve the room’s look.
Children’s cushions are often this shape if the cushion is pretending to be an animal or a reptile. These are a wonderful shape to hug and play with.
These cushion styles are making a comeback as they can be fitted into the back and sides of chairs or settees to give extra support. They also look appealing when placed on top of the bed.
Another beneficial way to use these cushions is at the back of a wooden garden chair, as these can be too upright in their design and not offer enough support for the lower back. Adding an elongated cushion provides extra comfort.
You can find these cushions in various sizes to fit the chair or settee where you plan to place them.
The ends can be varied with either
- Straight edges
- Gathered around the seam or just in the middle of the end.
- Pleated from the side to the middle.
- Made with an elongated end and then tied closed.
- Using a buttoned look.
- With a piped edge
This design is usually bought as a whole cushion, so it is worth checking that the fabric and the insert are washable.
These elongated cushions are excellent to take out and about, as they can easily fit into a bag. They can be used in a park, on the beach, camping, or in the garden.
Frilled Cushions
There are a few different ways that cushions can have frills added.
- Single: One frill is attached to the cushion. The frill can match, contrast or be a totally different colored fabric. The final choice will depend on the look you want to achieve.
- Double—Two frills are added. One is made wider than the other, and the larger frill is usually the outer one. The frills can be made of the same fabric as the cushion, with one matching and one contrasting, or both can be made of a material that complements the main body of the cushion. For example, the frill could be a similarly colored checked material attached to a floral or striped one.
- Bound—Frills, in this case, would bind the top edge. The binding would pick out a particular colour that is found in the material
Lace can be added as a frill and used singly or doubly, as with material frills.
Once you choose the size and shape of your cushion, you can calculate how much material you need. The amount will depend on how many gathers you want in your frill. The material should go around the cushion either twice or three times. The frill should be twice the width needed, as the fabric can be folded in half.
A zip fastening could be sewn into the seam. Another way to sew in the fastening would be to put it in the middle of the cushion back. Alternatively, the cushion could be closed using no fastenings at all and just slip-stitched closed.
