Cushion cover with book pocket

This cushion cover with quilted pocket is a great sewing project for beginners, and is good for dipping your toe into quilting.  

It’s the perfect cosy accessory for your reading nook, providing comfort and convenience, plus it looks super cute!

In this tutorial, I will show you the step-by-step instructions on creating this beautiful, book-friendly cushion cover. Grab your Brother sewing machine, and fabric, and let’s get started! 

Materials needed

• Cushion insert in the size of your choice 
• Cotton fabric, enough to cover both sides of the cushion 
• Some fun fabric for the front quilted pocket, I got this lovely gardening-themed fabric from Eternal Maker 
• Batting for the quilting 

Equipment needed  

• Sewing machine – I used the Brother F560
• Scissors
• Notions: thread, pins, chalk or removable pen, quilting ruler, etc.  

How to

Cutting the pieces

• I measured the cushion and used those measurements to cut out the pieces. You will need two (2) main square pieces to build the basis of your cushion. I added 1cm all the way around for a seam allowance, so for reference, my squares were 50cm on all sides.
  
  
• For the front pocket, I halved that measurement but maintained the width, so the piece measured 25 x 50cm. I added 1cm seam to the top to allow for an extra fold of the pocket.
  
  
• Cut a piece of batting for the pocket, roughly the same size, with about 1cm excess around each edge to allow for any shrinkage when quilting.
  
  
• You will also need a pocket back, the same size as the pocket front. I matched up the mustard fabric that I used with for body of the cushion. But feel free to get creative! 
  
  
• Lastly, you will need some binding for the top edge of the pocket, this is the same width of the pocket (50cm). I made it 7cm in height (it can always be trimmed down if needed later). 

Step 1

Layer your front pocket panel with the batting underneath, and the pocket back underneath again. There should be a sandwich of three (3) pieces. Pin together using safety pins or large pins to avoid shifting.  

Use a fabric marker (chalk or pen) and ruler to draw your quilting lines, or feel free to experiment with free-motion quilting! I drew lines 1 inch apart at a 45-degree angle to give the quilting a lovely diagonal effect.  

Set your Brother sewing machine to a straight stitch or free-motion quilting setting. I set my stitch length to 3 on a standard straight stitch. Start sewing along the marked lines. Once finished, trim the batting to match the size of the fabric. 

Step 2

Pin the binding to the pocket front top edge, right sides together. Sew across with a 1cm seam allowance.  

Tip: to add a personal feel, I also added a woven label to the pocket front. I basted this in place slightly above the 1cm seam allowance line before I added the binding.

Step 3

Press the binding up away from the pocket front. This is when you can trim the binding if it’s too big, I made sure there was at least 2cm left at either end.  

Turn the pocket round, and fold the binding to the wrong side, and press this under 1cm. Fold over again this time to fold it over the pocket wrong side. Pin in place, and then stitch this down.  

Step 4

Pin the pocket to one of your main body squares, right sides together, and mark a line where you want your pocket to be divided. I had one side wider than the other. Stitch this line and baste the rest of the pocket in place.  

Tip: reinforce the pocket opening stitch with a small zigzag, this gives it strength when taking things in and out of the pocket. 

Step 5

Pin the main cushion squares right sides together, the pocket will be inside sandwiched in between. Pin all the way around and sew with a 1cm seam allowance, leaving about 40cm at the bottom open to put in your cushion insert. Clip each of the corners, to reduce bulk, being careful not to cut through your stitching. 

Optional: if you’re more of a confident sewist, you can add a zip to this bottom opening to easily remove the cushion for washing. If not, then you can go ahead and hand stitch or edge stitch this hole closed once the cushion insert is inside.    

Step 6

Turn your cushion the right way around and push the corners out. Insert the cushion pad and either hand sew or edge stitch closed (if you haven’t inserted a zip as per the optional tip in Step 5). 

Tip: you can use the back end of a pencil, crochet hook or something similar to make the point sharp. 

That’s it! It’s a simple project but such a lovely gift idea for a relative who loves reading. Or keep to yourself…