What are Cushions? 

Many think of cushions as small square soft objects or scatter cushions. These are used to make comfortable seating on a harder chair. 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 by the word pillow. All the above are correct as cushions make sitting a lot more comfortable and there are a lot of different types of designs.

Types of cushions:

Quillows:

These type 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 front of the cushion and the quilt are attached and when the quilt is pulled out the front of the cushions can act like a pocket for your feet. The front part can’t be seen and the back of the cushion and the quilt are made from the same material.

Storage problems.. not at all as they look like ordinary cushions and will sit very well 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 practise.

Features:

• Snuggling up on the settee in the evening to watch television, a great way to save money on heating.

• A comfort blanket for children, really good 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 this has top stitching to enhance the detail with the final product having a quilting effect.

Some other types of interest could be musical and then the front cover could show piano keys or guitars with the inside quilt having musical notes on it.

Bordered Cushions

Like a frill, bordered cushions can make the size of a cushion seem larger than it really is.

The types for borders are either single, double or padded. They can be used along with other decoration such as piping or ribbon but are lovely enough not to need extra touches. The end result is entirely upon 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. This 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 good if the cushion is going to need to be hard wearing.

This shape is ideal as cushions for metal, wood or plastic outside furniture, or as seats on their own to take on picnics or used on 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.

A basic cushion design can be changed very easily into one with this edge cushion by inserting a covered cord into the seam.

This type of edge can give the cushion a touch of elegance and at the same time giving shape and strength to the cushion. 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 piping and mock piping. 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 use to give a softer 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 in wedding or party celebrations.

The chairs that the cushions are for are made from wood or plastic and these fastenings will stop the cushion 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 give support to the head when sleeping so 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 used mainly as decoration and some could be quite ornate made from heavy fabrics with tassels and other finishing touches such as embellishments.

A room can be transformed by the finishing touches a cushion can bring. By varying the shape, colour and even texture will add to the look of the room.

Children’s cushions are often this shape if the cushion is pretending to be an animal or a reptile. These are a great 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. Also they look good placed on top of the bed.

Another good way in using these cushions is at the back of a wooden garden chair as these can be too upright in their design and not enough support for the lower back. By adding an elongated cushion extra comfort is given.

These may be available in different sizes to suit the chair or settee where it will be placed.

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 great to take out and about as they can easily fit into a bag. They can be used while resting in a park, sitting on a beach, camping or just relaxing 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. This can match, contrast or be a totally different coloured fabric. This will depend on the look you want to achieve.

• Double – Two frills are added. One is made wider than the other and this is usually the outer one. These can be made either in the same fabric as the cushion, one could match and one contrast or both made out of a material that compliments the one used on the main body of the cushion. For example this could be a similar coloured check material attached to a floral or striped.
• Bound – Frills in this case would have a binding on 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 can be used singularly or double as with material frills.

When you decide what size and shape your cushion is going to be, you will then need to work out how much material you will need. This 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 this can be folded in half.

A zip fastening could be sewn into the seam. Another way to sew in the fastening would to be 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.