I’ve been making a few cushions of late, and have a few more left to go, but I hit an interesting conundrum the other day, and I wondered what you all would do.
Looking back through my archives, for cushions like these, I dud a simple envelope back halfway down the back:
On this one, I pushed the boat out and put a covered zip halfway down the back:
For the predecessors to the brown ones above (for my gran’s living room), I used a zip across the bottom, because it was a single piece of fabric making up the case, but I don’t have a photo of them, as they were made well before I started blogging, sorry.
Now my conundrum came when I had some cushions to do that were effectively double sided, but not the same piece of fabric. I had thought that, instead of going through a 3rd world country’s supply of zips, I would do an envelope, but put it down almost at the bottom as the ‘feature’ didn’t take up the entire side. Unfortunately, as it turned out, it meant that even with a 3″ overlap, I felt like the cushion would pop out, so I ended up having to add a button too (sorry, I’m not quite done yet, I’ll show you soon, honest!)
So what’s your preferred cushion closing method? Do you envelope or zip? Do you do double sided cushions, or am I the only weirdo that does that?
Envelope, zip or button depends on my mood! The only double-sided cushion I have made to date had a hidden zip in the bottom edge. Would think about a button closure too, if I could make a feature of it.
I love your post title! I nearly answered that I don't need any extra cushioning (which is perfectly true) but that wouldn't have been very helpful for you.
I tend to use either a hidden zipper at the bottom (my preferred method – I think that it's neater) or if I'm in a rush or don't have a zip handy I make an envelope closure. I don't tend to use buttons I don't know why; I just don't like them.
I rarely zip, I envelope with button mostly. But I do love a nice button!
Mostly envelope for simplicity – but not double sided, ever! Juliex
Oh this is easy – I don't do cushions. (o:
Hugs
I prefer a zip or three/four buttons for most cushions and a zip on the bottom edge for a double-sided cushion. I only do envelope closures if I haven't got the right zip/buttons, can't face going to the shops and want it finished NOW!
I would love to say zip but if I gave an item I had sewn a zip into as a gift I think the person would return it to me! There was a really sweet buttoned cushion in the pillow talk swap, the button holes were crocheted…I found it!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/synnovekri/8823169618/in/pool-1197421@N20/ having not seen what you're making could this work?
I do an invisible zip along the bottom for a double sided cushion and usually a covered zip halfway down if it's not double-sided. I like my cushions to be quite stuffed and I think that zips are better for that 🙂
Great cushions! I prefer a zip, thought the recent ones I made with oilcloth seemed to call for an envelope back.
I have not made many cushions, but if a cushion is well stuffed it is hard to not make an envelope gape at least a little. I prefer a zip or buttons, and have even used "poppers" on one cushion. On my blog I have a cushion I'm very happy with where the buttons are part of the design and I consider it double sided, though I don't know if people would agree…
I have only just learned to do a zipper enclosure but I really love them!
Ooh, I envelope and zip, but not at the same time! Envelope I tend to make each back bit at least 2/3 the size of the back for the overlap. Zips, done the concealed at the bottom, I deterred across the middle, invisible, like the ones behind the flap too 🙂 doesn't help, does it!
I have zip phobia so I always envelope the backs (and I dont do double sided either!)
If I have the time, I like to quilt both sides and put a concealed zipper in at the bottom. If time doesn't allow, I like to do an envelope back with a contrasting band across the middle and either a concealed zipper underneath or button hole the band. Plain envelope backings are my least favourite and the least functional IMHO! Jxo
I find the cushion pops out of an envelope, unless you put some buttons on it to make it a feature. I always put a concealed zip in the middle – no help really for a double sider.
I like zips under a flap on the back. I've never done an envelope, but the button cushion cover I made gapes a bit. I like my cushions to be stuffed well, so zips are the only thing going to hold them together properly! I've not made a double sided cushion, but I would put a concealed zip on the bottom.
Double sided cushions aren't weird, they're genius (can you guess I make them too?). It's so easy to get a change by just flipping them all around.
I think zips look better, myself, but have done the odd envelope closure when out of zips or just feeling lazy. But I do prefer the zip and find them easier to put on the cushion; I'm always shoving too much when putting on an envelope closed cover. I love my cushions, amongst other things, well stuffed. 😉
Only done three double sided cushions – one for Helen – which had a hidden zip I think – half way down, one for my Brit Swap 2 partner which had buttons as a feature of the design – close to the bottom, and one for myself which had a hidden zip on the bottom!
Totally dependent on what suited the situation but would only go envelope on a one sided one I think! Zips or buttons is my prefered choice unless time and stash dictated otherwise.
how often do you wash your cushion covers? i feel i may be the only person who washes them so rarely that i don't do any of those closure methods – and my method is fine for double sided. . . stuff it and slip stitch it closed. if i HAVE to wash it, snip into the slip stitching, stuff, wash, stuff. slip stitch again
I envelope, because I am lazy, but I would love to do a covered zip. I find that they pop out or get weirdly misshapen even with a massive overlap.
Usually envelope here too but lately have taken to quilting the backs too..makes them more substantial and sometimes I just use one piece of fabric and overlap at back once quilted..no side seams.
I like to lie back on them, when you're not throwing them at me:-)
Dad
Your Dad cracks me up. I like all types of closures but the invisible zip is my favorite.
I'm lazy too and do envelope, so they're not double sided, that's just madness! :o)
It all depends on time and supplies! I really like a covered zip, as I find envelope backs just never look right when I have done them. Probably, because I always buy a bigger cushion pad as I want a really puffy cushion!!
I love your dads comments!!
I've done envelope style closed with buttons – but like you said, it feels like the cushion is going to pop. I suppose I could get a smaller cushion to go inside but I really like the plump look of the pillow. I have also done a zip in the middle. I prefer the zipper but like you said, who wants to go hunt down the world's largest zip!
I always envelope, including a massive 28" floor cushion that I made. Mainly laziness, but also because it always seem to work. Just making cushion covers for the sample swap and they are enveloped too
I do the envelop backs that are both pieces c.3/4 of the full size so a nice big overlap; you could always have ties?
I like envelope because its easy but they do pop open. I'd like to master the hidden zipper or invisible zip.
I have only made envelopes because zippers scare me half to death. Mine have overlapped enough that I think they look nice (the pattern gets the glory, not me).