Make a Sophie Conran simple scarf cushion: free sewing pattern

Recently I’ve become a little bit cushion obsessed! I love them, especially the big squishy ones that you can sink into on the sofa or lounge around on in the garden at the end of the day. They’re great for adding colour, pattern or texture to beds, chairs and sofas. Car boot sales, fleamarkets and antiques stalls are good sources of inexpensive fabrics: look out for vintage silk scarves, linen grain sacks, or old curtains or shirts.

There are all sorts of pads available (visit www.merrick-day.com for a selection or www.woolsoft.co.uk for good quality, wool-filled pads). Some will hold their shape and always look tidy, but I prefer feather pads – though they do need lots of plumping. But whatever filling, shape, size or fabric you choose, making your own cushion covers is easy and very rewarding.

Simple scarf cushion

A large rectangular scarf has been transformed into an oversized envelope cushion – no cutting needed.

How it’s done
Lay your scarf down on a table right side up. Divide the length of the scarf into thirds, marking with a pencil.

Fold the top section down to the first third’s mark, then fold the rest of the scarf up to the top, overlapping the first fold. The wrong side should now be facing out.

Carefully sew up either side of the scarf closing both the open edges.

Turn the scarf right side out, and you should have an envelope style cushion cover.

Finish off the cushion by adding three buttons to close the front opening.

Tip: Using a scarf saves time as the fabric is already hemmed and often features a pretty edging.

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