How to Match Up Pattern Repeats on a Cushion

Item # X-HT-300617

We've got a sewing tip for you to help your DIY cushions look professionally made. Do you love working with boldly patterned fabrics but hate when the pattern repeat breaks at the cushion seams and your cushion looks amateurish and unpolished? Then this is the DIY tutorial for you.

How to Match Fabric Pattern 2

In this tutorial video, we’ll show you how to match horizontal and vertical repeats in a fabric pattern when making a traditional box cushion. Matching up the pattern on each plate of a traditional seamed cushion results in a crisp, professional-looking cushion with no interruptions in the fabric pattern — even along seams. It’s as beautiful as it is functional!

We also discuss the differences between a traditional box cushion and a quick and easy box cushion. A traditional box cushion uses multiple plates of fabric, and a quick and easy box cushion uses a single plate of patterned fabric. In this video tutorial, we're only demonstrating how to make a traditional box cushion.

The Sailrite Fabric Calculator makes it easier than ever to plan and plot your cushion. Just add your fabric width, your pattern repeat measurements and your desired cushion dimensions. The calculator renders two cushion plates and four boxing strips. On the render, you can see dashed lines indicating your pattern repeat. All you have to do is move your fabric panels and strips around until you know the repeat will continue from fabric piece to fabric piece. Then you know how much yardage to order to sew a patterned cushion with an uninterrupted pattern repeat that does not break at the seams.

Watch the video to learn this incredibly useful patterning and sewing trick.

If you’d rather make a quick and easy cushion, search "How to Make a Quick & Easy Box Cushion" (#200707XHT) on our website for that tutorial video.

How did your cushion turn out? Did you find the Sailrite Fabric Calculator easy to use? Let us know what you think of the calculator. And if you have any of your own sewing tips and tricks, share them with your fellow DIYers in the comments below!

Chapters List

  • Using the Sailrite Fabric Calculator
  • Matching Plate & Boxing Pattern Repeats
  • Creating Zipper Plaque Boxing
  • Sewing Boxing Ends Together
  • Cutting Foam & Bottom Plate to Size
  • Sewing Boxing to Top Plate
  • Sewing Assembly to Bottom Plate
  • Inserting Foam
  • Materials & Tools List

Materials List

  • Upholstery fabric of choice
  • YKK® #5 White Continuous Zipper Chain (Coil Chain) #104387
  • Seamstick 1/4" Basting Tape for Canvas & Upholstery (36 yds.) #122065
  • YKK® #5 White Single Non-Locking Metal Zipper Pull (Coil Chain) #122250
  • Tex 90 White UV Bonded Polyester Thread 4 oz. (1,350 yds.) #100079
  • CushionRite® Premium Antimicrobial Foam (Firm) #124236
  • Cushion Underlining White 54" Fabric #768100
  • Cushion Wrap Silk Film 54" (10 yds.) #103933

Tools List

  • Chalk Pen White #123131
  • Sailrite® Clear Acrylic Ruler 6" x 24" #102400
  • Sailrite® Edge Cordless Hotknife 18V Package #122177
  • Sailrite® Tempered Cutting Glass #121915
  • Professional Stainless Steel 10" Scissors #123615
  • Sailrite® Deluxe Fabricator® Sewing Machine Package (110V) #400600
  • Deluxe 5-1/2" Magnetic Sewing Guide #103597
  • Sailrite® Blade Foam Saw V2 with Carrying Case (110V) #121244
  • Shop Vacuum, Straightedge Ruler

Featured Products

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