Cushion Styles
When most people picture a cushion, they just think of something three dimensional that you sit on. Once you start really thinking about it, though, you realize they have a number of different looks. Most of these terms are universally understood among workrooms, but some are not just standard names and can mean different things to different people. To avoid confusion, I wanted to clarify what I call these different styles so we can all be on the same page.
Mock box
Mock box: if you look closely you can see the seam in the center. This has a sewn corner
The mock box is the most simple of styles. It has a seam running through the center of the height of the cushion like the image in the black seat cushion above. If you add cord to this style, the cord will run through the center of the height.
The corners can be done a couple of different ways. In a seat cushion they are typically fully boxed, which means they are folded, stitched closed, and the excess fabric is trimmed off. Box pillows and back cushions can also be constructed this way and you can do the corner differently on them. By folding the excess fabric aside rather than trimming the excess fabric off, you can create a butterfly corner. It leaves the extra fabric from the corner visible, almost like a little pouch at the corners and resembles butterfly wings. Either way, the zipper does not go past the corners when I make a mock box.
This is the least labor intensive way to create a box cushion, therefore the most budget-friendly.
True box
True box with cord
A true box cushion will have a separate strip of fabric that runs along the height of the cushion. The strip is called the boxing. Most of the cushions we make are this style.
You can choose to make this a knife edge without any cord, or you can choose to add cord at the top and bottom seams like the cream colored cushion above. In these, the zipper extends past the length of just the backside, easing the pressure when you stuff the foam inside.
Waterfall
Waterfall
This type of cushion has a separate side boxing that is curved on the top but 90 degrees at the bottom. There is no front boxing. Instead there is a base plate, which is attached to the top plate at the bottom of the front. The top looks like a waterfall that is pouring over the edge, hence the name. Cord on this style will be along the top plate which results in it showing at top and along the bottom of the front of the cushion.
Bullnose
Bullnose front
Finally we have bullnose cushions, which have one solid piece of fabric that wraps from the top, down the front front, and around the bottom. The sides are a separate piece of boxing. How curved the side boxing is cut at the front will affect how curved the bullnose is. Usually these are made without cord, but if there was cord, it would only be along the top and bottom of the sides.
When you are ready to add some comfort to a place you sit, or if you just need to recover an existing cushion, email me or request a quote. I’d be happy to go through the options that best fit your style and space.