A cushion cover is two fabric rectangles sewn together with a zipper or opening for stuffing

A basic cushion cover is simpler than it sounds: you cut two pieces of fabric to size, sew three sides closed, insert your cushion pad through the fourth side, then stitch that side shut. If you want to remove the cover later to wash it, you sew in a zipper instead of closing the fourth side completely. The whole project takes two to four hours for a beginner, depending on whether you use a zipper and how large the cushion is.

You will need fabric (cotton or linen works well for beginners), thread that matches or complements the fabric, a sewing machine, scissors, pins, a measuring tape, and either a needle and thread for hand-sewing the final seam or a zipper and zipper foot if you want the cover to be removable. A cushion pad in the size you want is also essential—you buy these ready-made at fabric stores, or you can measure an existing cushion you want to recover.

Key Takeaways

  • Measure your cushion pad in all directions, then add half an inch on each side for seam allowance when you cut your fabric.
  • Pin your two fabric pieces together with the right sides facing inward, sew three sides on your machine, then turn the cover right-side-out through the open fourth side.
  • Insert your cushion pad through the opening, then close the fourth side by hand with a ladder stitch, or install a zipper before sewing the sides if you want the cover to be removable.
  • A zipper makes the cover washable but requires a zipper foot attachment and takes longer; hand-closing the final seam is faster and works fine for cushions you do not plan to remove often.

Measure your cushion and cut two matching fabric pieces

Start by measuring your cushion pad in length and width. If your cushion is 16 inches by 16 inches, add half an inch to each dimension for the seam allowance—so you will cut two pieces that are 17 inches by 17 inches. Write these measurements down so you do not forget them while you are working.

Lay your fabric out on a flat surface, smooth it flat with your hands, and use a measuring tape and a pencil or fabric marker to mark the dimensions on the back of the fabric. Cut along your marked lines with sharp fabric scissors. You now have two identical rectangles. If your fabric has a pattern or direction (like stripes or a print that looks better one way), make sure both pieces are oriented the same way before you cut.

Pin the fabric pieces together and sew three sides

Place your two fabric pieces on top of each other with the right sides facing inward—this means the pretty sides are touching each other, and the dull or back sides are facing outward. This is important because when you turn the cover right-side-out later, the seams will be hidden inside.

Pin around all four edges, placing pins about every 2 to 3 inches. Leave one entire side unpinned—this is where you will insert the cushion pad later. Set your sewing machine to a straight stitch with a medium stitch length (around 2.5 millimeters). Sew along three sides, starting about half an inch from the edge and stopping half an inch before the corners. Backstitch at the beginning and end of each seam to lock the thread. Remove the pins as you go.

At each corner, stop with the needle down, lift the presser foot, rotate the fabric 90 degrees, lower the presser foot, and continue sewing. This creates a neat corner instead of a rounded one. When you finish the third side, cut the thread and remove the fabric from the machine.

Turn the cover right-side-out and insert the cushion pad

Reach into the open fourth side and grab the fabric from the inside. Pull gently until the entire cover flips inside-out, so now the right sides (the pretty sides) are facing outward. Use a blunt tool like a chopstick or the eraser end of a pencil to push the corners out from the inside so they are sharp and square instead of rounded.

Slide your cushion pad through the open side. Smooth it into the corners so it sits evenly inside the cover. If the cover feels tight, you may have cut it too small—this is a common mistake. If it is very loose, you cut it too large, but a little looseness is normal and will tighten as you close the seam.

Close the fourth side by hand with a ladder stitch

Thread a needle with thread that matches your fabric, and tie a knot at the end. Fold the raw edges of the open side inward by half an inch, and pin them closed. This hides the raw edges inside the seam.

Use a ladder stitch (also called a slip stitch) to close the opening invisibly. Bring your needle up through the fold of fabric on one side, then cross directly over to the fold on the opposite side and slide the needle inside the fold for about half an inch before bringing it back out. Cross back to the first side and repeat. The thread runs inside the fold of fabric, so it is hidden from view. After every inch or so, pull the thread gently to close the gap. When you reach the end, tie off the thread inside the fold and trim it.

This seam is nearly invisible from the outside, which is why hand-closing is popular for decorative cushions. It takes 10 to 15 minutes for a 16-inch cushion, but the result looks professional.

Install a zipper instead if you want a removable cover

If you want to wash the cover without removing the cushion pad, sew a zipper into the fourth side instead of closing it by hand. You will need a zipper that is slightly shorter than the width of your cushion (a 14-inch zipper works for a 16-inch cushion), and a zipper foot—a special presser foot attachment that lets you sew close to the zipper teeth.

Before you sew the three sides, open your zipper and pin it face-down along the raw edges of the fourth side, with the zipper teeth facing inward toward the cushion. Sew the zipper in place using the zipper foot, sewing as close to the teeth as you can without hitting them. Then fold the fabric over the zipper and sew the three other sides as described above. When you turn the cover right-side-out, the zipper will be hidden in the seam on the fourth side, and you can open and close it to insert or remove the cushion pad.

Zipper installation adds 20 to 30 minutes to the project and requires practice to keep the stitching straight, but it is worth learning if you plan to make many cushion covers or want covers you can wash frequently.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

The most common error is forgetting to add seam allowance when you cut the fabric, which results in a cover that is too small. Always add half an inch on all sides. The second mistake is sewing with the right sides facing outward instead of inward, which leaves the seams visible on the outside. Double-check before you start sewing that the pretty sides of the fabric are touching each other.

A third mistake is cutting the fabric crooked or uneven, which makes the finished cover lopsided. Use a measuring tape and mark your lines carefully, and cut slowly with sharp scissors. If your fabric is wrinkled, iron it flat before you measure and cut. Finally, many beginners pull the thread too tight when closing the ladder stitch, which puckers the seam. Pull gently and evenly, and the seam will close smoothly without bunching.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make a cushion cover without a sewing machine?

Yes. You can sew all four sides by hand using a backstitch, though it takes much longer—one to two hours instead of 30 minutes on a machine. The result is just as strong if your stitches are even and close together. Hand-sewing is practical for small cushions or if you enjoy the meditative pace, but most people use a machine for the three main seams and hand-sew only the final closing seam.

What fabric is best for a beginner?

Cotton and linen are forgiving and straightforward to work with. Avoid stretchy fabrics like jersey or knits until you have more experience, because they shift under the presser foot and are hard to keep straight. Avoid very slippery fabrics like silk or satin for your first project. Medium-weight cotton quilting fabric is ideal—it is sturdy, does not fray excessively, and is inexpensive.

Do I need to finish the raw edges inside the cover?

Not for a cushion cover that will stay closed. The raw edges are hidden inside the seam and will not unravel because they are enclosed. If you are using a zipper and plan to wash the cover frequently, you can finish the raw edges with a zigzag stitch or pinking shears to reduce fraying, but it is not necessary for durability.

What if my zipper is longer than the side of my cushion?

Trim the zipper to fit. Open the zipper and carefully cut the fabric tape at each end with scissors, leaving about half an inch of tape beyond the teeth. You can also buy zippers in many lengths, so measure your cushion side before you buy and choose the closest size.

How do I prevent puckering when I sew?

Puckering usually happens when you pull the fabric toward you while sewing, which bunches it under the presser foot. Let the machine feed the fabric at its own pace—your job is to guide it straight, not pull it. Keep your hands light and relaxed, and let go if you feel resistance. Also, make sure your needle is sharp and the correct size for your fabric; a dull or wrong-size needle causes skipped stitches and puckering.