MAKING CUSHIONS

Te Ao Hou, April 1956, Page 60

MAKING CUSHIONS By BETTY JOHNSTON Cushions can do much to brighten dull rooms and making them is a very simple matter. Just decide whether the cushions are to be round, square or oblong. Unbleached calico is used to hold the stuffing which is usually kapok, although feathers and wool are used occasionally. Cut out two pieces of calico in the required shape, allowing an extra ½in. all round for seams. Stitch them together firmly round three of the sides leaving one side open. Turn the bag inside out and fill it with kapok. Hand sew or machine the opening; enclosing the kapok firmly. Make the outer cushion cover the same size and shape as the cushion case. If the cushion is likely to have hard wear close the opening with a slide fastener or with hooks and eyes, so that it can be easily removed for washing or dry cleaning. The materials used for cushion covers should be strong and easily cleaned, especially if they are to be used in a household which has young children. Silk and taffeta and pale, delicate colours are not suitable for a family living room. Strong cottons in a heavy weave look attractive and are serviceable. Velvet is a hard wearing fabric too, but it gathers dust and has to be dry cleaned, not washed. Cushions with a side panel are deeper and should be fairly small, measuring less than 20in. across. The side panel is a straight piece of material usually about 4in. wide, which is inserted in both the inner case and the outer cover. Field Officer in Rural Sociology, Department of Agriculture, Wellington AN ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE N.Z. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH