How to Make Frilled Cushion Covers

Give square or round cushion covers a more luxurious look with the addition of a double frill, gathered and sewn between the front and back panels. The softening effect of frills give cushions an extra plump look and makes the seat an altogether more inviting proposition.

A frilled cushion cover is distinctly feminine, and adds a softening touch to a room.

The choice of fabrics affects the look of the cushion. A cover made in a crisp stripe with a striped frill has a restrained charm, while a rose-strewn chintz cover with a contrasting or lacy fill, and suggests pure frivolity and romance.

The easiest method of adding a frill to a cushion cover is to use a double frill, so called because it is made with a folding strip of fabric that looks the same on both sides. This type of frill gives the cushion a lovely plump appearance and a very neat finish, with the fold forming the outer edge and the raw edges enclosed in the seam.

Adding piping between the frill and the cushion gives definition to its shape.
For an extremely lavish finish, make two frills of slightly different depths in coordinating fabrics and layer them together.

To make square frilled cushion covers you will need:
Furnishing fabric
Square cushion pad
Tape measure
Sewing thread

1. Cutting out the cover: Measure the sides of the cushion pad. For the front panel, cut one piece of fabric to these measurements plus 5/8 inch (1.5cm) seam allowance all round. For the back panels, cut two rectangles of fabric the length of one side of the cushion pad, plus 1 inches (3cm), by half the adjacent side, plus 4 inches (10cm).

2. Cutting out the frill: Measure all round the cushion pad and double the measurement. Cut strips across the width of the fabric so that when joined they make up this length, by 8 inches (20cm) wide. For a fuller or deeper frill, add to the length or the width of the strip respectively.

3. Preparing the frill: Right sides together, join the frill strips into a circle. Press the seams open. With the wrong sides together, fold the fabric in half lengthways and pin raw edges together. Divide the frill in four and mark with pins.

4. Stitching the gathering: Run two rows of gathering stitches inch (1.2cm) and inch (2cm) in from the raw edges of the frill. Stop and start the stitching half way between the pin marks. This makes it easier for gathering up.

5. Attaching the frill: With the right sides together and raw edges even, pin the frill round the edge of the front cover panel, matching the section marks to the corners. Pull up gathering stitches to fit. Adjust the gathers so that they are even, allowing extra fabric at the corners.

6. Attaching the cushion back: On one long edge of each back panel turn under and machine stitch a 5/8 inch (1.5cm) double hem. With the right sides together and the raw edges even, place the two back panels on the front cover panel so that the hemmed edges overlap. Pin, tack and machine stitch a 5/8 inch (1.5cm) seam all round the outer edge, through all layers.

7. Finishing the cushion: Trim the seams and clip the corners to reduce bulk and turn the cover to the right side. Insert the cushion pad and hand stitch circles of Velcro fastening between the back panels of the cushion cover. This will allow for easier removal for washing.

To make round frilled cushion covers
1. For the cushion cover, cut one circle of fabric the size of the cushion pad plus a 5/8 inch (1.5cm) seam allowance all round. Use this circle as a template for cutting the two back panels as follows.

Fold the circle in half and then ease open folded edge to add an extra 4 inches (10cm) from the straight edge. Cut two pieces of fabric to this size, taking car to match directional patterns.

2. For positioning marks, fold the front circle of fabric into quarters and mark the edge of each fold with a pin.

3. To make up the round cover, follow steps 2-7 of square frilled cushion cover. When joining the frill to the front cover panel, match the sections at pin marks.

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