How to make chenille cushion covers

There’s nothing more satisfying than learning a new technique! Add texture to your designs using chenille – simply cut your fabric on the bias and manipulate it to create a soft, raised line of fabric that will add interest to any design.

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Published: February 11, 2021 at 1:34 pm

We’ve got a great project for you to get to grips with the chenille technique. Add soft, subtle texture to your home décor with this on-trend chenille cushion cover DIY. We’ll show you how to master the method behind chenille before transforming your patchwork panel into the finished project.

This is part of Kate Webber’s Technique Focus feature in issue 95 of Love Patchwork & Quilting magazine, and we’re excited to bring this fun bonus design to Gathered for you! It’s ideal for stretching your skills and coordinates perfectly with the projects in the magazine. Get your hands on a copy of issue 95 of Love Patchwork & Quilting magazine to make an all-over chenille cushion and a cute rainbow design. To see more of Kate’s work, follow her on Instagram @katewebberdesigns.

If you like fun and easy home sewing projects, you might also like our guide to How to make bunting.

How to make a Chenille style cushion cover

Finished Size

12in square

You will need:

  • Fabric (For the cushion front and back) (Peach fabric: 1yd, Dark grey fabric: ½yd)
  • Polyester toy filling
  • Wire brush (Or nylon brush (optiona))
  • Basting spray (Optional)
  • Sewing machine
  • Thread
  • Fabric marker
  • Quilting ruler (Optional)
  • Basic quilting kit

Cutting out

Step 1

From the peach fabric cut:

  • One (1) 15in square.
  • Three (3) 13in squares.

Step 2

From the dark grey fabric cut:

  • One (1) 13in square.
  • One (1) 12½in square

Create the chenille

Step 1

Arrange the 15in square right side up on your work surface. Then arrange the dark grey square on top, also right side up. Then layer all three peach 13in squares on top. Spray baste in place, or use a machine basting stitch around the edge of the smaller squares.

How to make a chenille cushion cover step 1

Step 2

Mark the squares as follows, using a hera marker or removable fabric marker. Mark a vertical line 2½in from the right edge of the smaller squares. Mark a horizontal line 4½in from the bottom of the smaller squares.

How to make a chenille cushion cover step 2

Step 3

Using the marks on your quilting ruler, measure 21/2in above the horizontal line and mark this along the vertical line. Use the 45 degree line of your quilt ruler to mark from this point down to the horizonal line at either side. Then repeat to mark a square.

Step 4

Repeat the last step marking 5in and then 10in above the horizontal line to mark two more partial squares.

How to make a chenille cushion cover step 3

Step 5

Sew along your marked squares, extending your stitching lines onto the larger square of fabric. Add additional lines of sewing at varying widths between 18in and ½in wide to create channels. Leave some areas unstitched.

How to make a chenille cushion cover step 5

Step 6

Using a small sharp pair of scissors, clip through all four layers of fabric at the beginning and end of each channel, leaving the larger background square uncut.

How to make a chenille cushion cover step 6

Step 7

Continue cutting between the channels all the way around, making sure you don’t cut the background fabric. If you have a chenille cutter, you can use this as well.

How to make a chenille cushion cover step 7

Step 8

Using a wire or nylon brush, gently brush in a circular motion over the fabric to create the chenille effect. You can also wash and dry your fabric several times if you don’t have a brush.

How to make a chenille cushion cover step 8

Finish the cushion

Step 1

Trim the chenille panel to 12½in squares, carefully centring the piece, and trimming away the excess background fabric at the same time.

Step 2

Place the 12½in square of dark grey fabric right side together with the panel. Sew around the outer edge leaving a gap for turning, backstitching at each end.

Step 3

Turn right side out through the turning gap. Stuff with toy filling and ladder stitch the turning gap closed.