cushions

Squashy Cushions
Creativity follows no pattern- is the mantra when it comes to designing squashy furnishings, especially cushions. Comfy stuffings in exquisite patterns are everyone’s delight. So if you are just starting with furnishings, cushions are a great way to begin.
Flashy silken to simple cotton cushions are available in endless shapes in varied sizes available to adorn your room.
You can also mix and match them with fabric of your sofa, as nowadays leather and suede cushions are in trend. Plain cushions can be trimmed with a contrasting border, decorative braid or patterned piping. Tassels and fringing, embroidered panels, appliqué designs and quilting can all be used to give an impressive boost to a plain cushion.
Checks pattern in simple cotton is the best rough and tough option, as simpler the prettier. But don’t forget that these checks and stripes must be centralised for good effect.
“Creativity is the best guide, when it comes to furnishings,” believes Varinderjeet Kaur, interior decorator, “small cushions in geometrical shapes, looks great piled when piled in a set of four, on sofas. Bolster round or flowing cushions, supporting the back of divan or futon, are back in trend.”
She suggests, “Decorative cushions can be made of lighter, more delicate fabrics, such as silks or muslin. Even Zari cushions in self pattern look grand with high sofa back. You can also use plain covers without stuffings on the arms of the sofa to add elegance to it. Beige, golden or grey tassels can spring them up. This summer appliqué work and Lucknawi embroidery on light base as white or light pink are also in great vogue.”
For your bed cushions, just mix-n-match the cushion-covers with your pillow covers or bedspreads, in square or rectangular shapes. You may pile them in set of 5 or 4. For you kids room, Donald and tweety’s are here to stay.
Actually, the most exciting decorative technique would be to facilitate yourself by adapting the designs according to your décor. The usage cushion may affect not only the design, but also the type of fabric and padding used. As to see your beautifully finished cushion covered in grubby finger marks or juice stains can be heart breaking! Machine washable robust fabrics are a must with small children. Especially, If they will get lots of abuse from the children.” she adds, “Besides, a cushion pad with a synthetic filling rather than a more expensive, soft feather cushion pad.”
Vinyl foam padded cushions are readily available in marketing.The Cotton stuffings have also been largely replaced with polyfil cotton. The range starts from Rs 100 per piece onwards. Making an advanced cushion means investing a lot of your own valuable time in something that will give you pleasure to look at and to use.
Choosing a fabric you like is important, but stop a moment and consider the following questions.
Is the colour and pattern right both for the setting and the size and style of cushion?
Is the weight and texture right for the job the cushion is intended for?
Will the fabric wear well and either wash or dry clean satisfactorily?
If you are seaming different fabrics together, will they all react and wear in the same way?
Is the cushion intended to be functional or for purely decorative purposes?
Make sure you buy the right filling to ensure your cushion has a long life-span.
Foam for seating pads – available in different weights and densities.
Polyester and stockinet for exterior wrappings – these make trying to insert a box pad into a cover much easier.
Feather and fibre – great for upholstery jobs.


.