The Classic Square Pattern for Cushions

A square pattern for a cushion is usually the first shape that springs to mind when thinking about making cushions.

Patterns can be bought commercially and Minerva Crafts have a good selection, under their sewing cushions headline, but making them yourself can be quite easy.

Making a Square Pattern

A square is a shape that has four sides the same length, have ninety degree angles in all four corners and have diagonals the same length.

To make easy patterns various objects can be found to draw around as long as it is found to be a square. These could be:

• a box 
• a baking tin
• a book
• a plastic container
• the top of a small table
• a paving slab
• a base cushion of a chair or a settee
• a picture frame

The list could be endless as long as you can find something fit the size you want.

Making your own patterns may take you a little longer but you can then have the cushions to suit your own needs and if you keep the paper pattern one for future use as well.

Making you own patterns from scratch without any object can seem a little daunting and complicated but grab a pencil and some paper and get drawing.

Decide on the size it will be -

• a pincushion will be small
• a scatter cushion for a chair or settee are around 17 - 20 inches (43 - 51 cm) square.
• ones for the floor larger still.

Using a ruler or a cutting mat as shown in the picture above draw or trace your square onto a piece of paper.

Any paper will do as long as you can see the lines and it will be strong enough when pinned on the fabric. If this is to be kept for future use a firmer type of paper may be best.

After a few tries and with confidence the lines could be drawn straight onto the fabric with tailors chalk and then cut out.

Draw your first line to the length the cushion will be or maybe a little larger to allow for the seam allowances. Then using a protractor or a set square and place this onto the line, mark where the 90 degrees line is and using this as a guide extend this line to the first line.

Alternatively take a piece of paper and the edges will be 90 degrees therefore the first two sides of the square. Take the corner and fold it towards the opposite side until the sides are equal, mark last side with a pencil.

Why not have a go at making pattern for a rectangle, circular or heart shaped cushion for many different shapes.

Whatever shape or pattern you choose have fun making your square patterns.

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