- 1). Use a flexible tape measure to measure the width and length of the cushion pad or insert you'll be using. Measure from the middle of one edge of the cushion to the middle of the opposite side. Drape the tape measure lightly over the pad without squashing or pressing on the pad. Make the same measurement across the remaining two edges of the cushion. If the cushion is a square, these measurements will be the same. Mark these measurements on paper.
- 2). Allow for 1/2-inch seams on each side and for any frill or border around the cushion. Allow 1 inch for the seam when inserting a zipper along one side of the cushion cover. Thus, if your cushion pad is 12 inches wide and long (a square), the total width for both sides of the cushion fabric is 13 inches. The length of one side of the fabric is also 13 inches, and the side which will hold the zipper is 14 inches in length.
- 3). Use the measurements from the cushion pad to calculate how much piping, braid, ruffles or any other embellishments you'll need. Add an extra 2 inches to each length measurement to allow for the slightly larger size of the cushion cover.
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