French mattress cushions, also known as “tufted” or “quilted” cushions, are a type of cushion with a distinctive quilted design that creates a tufted appearance. These cushions are often used for seating, benches, daybeds, and other furniture. The term “French mattress” refers to the style of stitching and tufting that resembles traditional French mattresses.
Here is a basic guide on how to make French mattress cushions:
Materials:
- Fabric for the top and bottom panels
- Upholstery foam or batting
- Button covering kit (for tufting)
- Heavy-duty thread
- Needle
- Sewing machine
- Scissors
- Measuring tape
Steps:
- Measure and Cut: Measure the dimensions of your seating area or furniture, and cut the top and bottom fabric panels accordingly.
- Cut Foam or Batting: Cut the upholstery foam or batting to fit the dimensions of the fabric panels. This will provide the padding for your cushion.
- Sew Panels Together: Place the top and bottom fabric panels with their right sides facing each other. Sew around the edges, leaving one side partially open for inserting the foam.
- Insert Foam or Batting: Turn the sewn fabric cover right side out and insert the upholstery foam or batting through the open side.
- Tufting: To achieve the tufted look, use a button covering kit to create covered buttons. Sew through the entire cushion, pulling the thread tight to create tufts. This is typically done by sewing through the top, down through the foam, and then back up through the bottom.
- Close the Opening: Once all tufting is complete, sew up the remaining open side of the cushion.
French mattress cushions provide a classic and elegant look, and the tufting not only adds style but also helps to keep the filling in place. You can customize the size, fabric, and tufting pattern to match your decor preferences.
