The Atelier of Seven Masters
Cushions cut to your numbers, read by seven masters.
Seven American upholsterers read photographs of finished cushions and answer the questions buyers ask before they order: how to measure, which fabric, how thick, what lasts. We sell nothing. We explain.
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Pinned by RosaChocolate seat cushionDeep brown ties straight into the autumn leaves outside the glass.Read the whole reading
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Pinned by MaggieStriped seat cushionStripes across the depth make a short banquette look wider and relaxed.Read the whole reading
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Pinned by NateFaceted bay cushionThe cushion follows each facet of the bay, so the dog can stretch out edge to edge.Read the whole reading
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Pinned by HanaMauve box cushionFollows the daybed rectangle and stops at the carved rail.Read the whole reading
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Pinned by ÉlodieTaupe velvet cushionA slim cushion keeps the hall bench light and clear of the door swing.Read the whole reading
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Pinned by CallumStriped swing mattressThe mattress is made to the platform size inside the ropes, so they run clear of the fabric.Read the whole readingThe quick answer
A made-to-measure cushion starts with three numbers: the length along the front, the depth from the front edge to the wall, and the thickness. Measure the seat itself, not the old cushion, and send the exact size of the space without deducting anything. Standard thickness is 4 in (10 cm), and covers unzip and machine wash at 86°F (30°C).
The atelier
The atelier at a glance
Seven master upholsterers share one cutting table. Every page explains a choice, from the size and the shape to the fabric, the foam and the fit, so the partner workshop can make the cushion right the first time.
- 7master upholsterers, one signature each
- 2,500+pages on measuring, fabric, foam and fit
- 38cushion types in the Cushion Atlas
- 112places across the map
- 8free studio tools and calculators
- 1,600+photographs of finished cushions
Save- Long lumbar back
A shallow back cushion keeps the full seat depth usable.
- Cream bouclé seat
Tonal with the piping, so the pattern above gets all the attention.
- Open book
Paper white on cream bouclé keeps the palette to two tones.
- Eucalyptus vase
Tall stems balance the long horizontal of the bench.
- Jute runner
Coarse fiber contrasts the soft loops of the seat.
Read a photograph
Read a photograph
Every photograph here is read like a pattern: pinned where a choice was made. Tap a pin, or read the notes beside the picture.
Pinned by HanaCream Bouclé Bench Seat with a Long Geometric Lumbar Back
- Long lumbar backA shallow back cushion keeps the full seat depth usable.
- Cream bouclé seatTonal with the piping, so the pattern above gets all the attention.
- Open bookPaper white on cream bouclé keeps the palette to two tones.
- Eucalyptus vaseTall stems balance the long horizontal of the bench.
- Jute runnerCoarse fiber contrasts the soft loops of the seat.
Readings
New on the reading table
One photograph of a finished cushion, one master, every choice explained: the proportion, the piping line, the color against the light of the room.
All readings
A Reading by NateCustom Bench Cushion in Navy Corduroy for an Oak Entry Bench
A Reading by MaggieChair Cushion with Ties: A Patio Trick for a Mesh Desk Chair
A Reading by HarlanViolet Velvet Bolster Pillow: How It Stays Put on a Daybed
A Reading by NateTrapezoid Bench Cushion in Mustard: A Bay Seat Built for Hours
A Reading by HarlanCorner Floor Cushion in Charcoal Stripe for a Paneled Room
A Reading by RosaWindow Seat Cushion in Forest Green: Where to Spend and Save
A Reading by CallumSunbed Cushion in Turquoise: Styling a Bare Pool Deck
A Reading by HarlanStriped Floor Cushions: Why a Box Edge Stacks Square
A Reading by HanaHemnes Daybed Cover in Cream Velvet: Seating Guests Well
Before & after
Same daybed, fabrics swapped
Drag the seam. The frame, the room and the light stay put; only the fabric plan changes, and with it the whole mood.
Cushion types
The Cushion Atlas
Thirty-eight cushion types and eight rooms, from window seats and bay windows to porch swings and floor sofas, with sizes in inches first.
All 38 cushion types- Bench Cushions603 pages439 photos
- Window Seat Cushions340 pages264 photos
- Modular Floor Sofas & Teddy Couches198 pages32 photos
- Outdoor & Water-Repellent Cushions132 pages92 photos
- Dining Chair Cushions & Pads123 pages92 photos
- Banquette & Kitchen Nook Cushions99 pages52 photos
- Floor Cushions & Floor Seating97 pages5 photos
- Corner Floor Cushions & Poufs80 pages64 photos
- Daybed Cushions & Covers76 pages45 photos
- Bay Window Cushions67 pages43 photos
- L-Shaped Corner Bench Cushions64 pages48 photos
- IKEA Hemnes Daybed Covers & Cushions57 pages40 photos
Answers
From the Cutting Table
Common questions about measuring, fabric, foam and care, answered short and exact, with the numbers left in.
All answers- My cushion is bigger than the largest size option. Can I still order it?Yes, a cushion bigger than the largest size option can still be ordered, through a custom purchase link.Hana
- How much is a custom tufted floor cushion?A custom tufted floor cushion is priced by its size and fabric color, so send exact measurements for a quote and the workshop adds that size to the…Rosa
- Can you make a large U-shaped floor sofa?Yes, a large U-shaped floor sofa can be made to order from three modules, with module A, 35.5 x 35.5 in (90 x 90 cm), at every corner.Hana
- Can I leave my cushion in its vacuum packaging until I need it?Foam should stay vacuum packed no longer than 2-3 weeks, so open cushions and floor sofas when they arrive.Callum
- Can I change the size or thickness after I've ordered?Yes, you can change a cushion's size or thickness after ordering, as long as production hasn't started and the fabric hasn't been cut.Maggie
- What's the longest cushion you can make in one piece?Single cushions up to 40 x 138 in (102 x 350 cm) have been made in one piece on request, so a seamless run is usually possible.Callum
- Do you carry name-brand outdoor fabric, or something similar?No, the workshop doesn't carry the Sunbrella brand; outdoor cushions are made in its own outdoor performance fabric instead.Callum
- How long do fabric samples take to arrive?Fabric samples run on two clocks, preparation at the workshop and transit with the courier, and both change with the season, so ask the workshop for…Maggie
The Masters
The seven masters
From a High Point workshop floor to a Seattle studio: seven upholsterers, seven specialties, seven sign-offs. Turn a card to read what each one stands for.
About the mastersManifesto
A seam is a promise. Close it as if somebody will sit on it for twenty years.
Knows velvet · corduroy · tufting & buttons
165 readings · 92 answers · 19 guides
Meet HarlanSit well. — Harlan
Margaret Holloway
The Piping Queen of Newport, Rhode Island
Straight lines, honest seams, and a cushion that looks tailored rather than bought.
Manifesto
Measure the bench, not the cushion you used to have, and keep the welt straight.
Knows piping & welt · kitchen banquettes · L- and U-shaped seating
255 readings · 96 answers · 20 guides
Meet MaggieStitch straight — Maggie
Élodie Marchand
The Colorist of New Orleans, Louisiana
Color is the first comfort; the eye sits down before the body does.
Manifesto
The eye sits down first. Choose the color in daylight, never on a screen.
Knows color matching · fabric selection · velvet sheen
199 readings · 148 answers · 21 guides
Meet ÉlodieWith color and care — Élodie
Callum Reid
The Weather Man of Casco Bay · Portland, Maine
Build it for the worst day of the season, and every other day is a gift.
Manifesto
Build it for the worst day of the season. Rain doesn't negotiate.
Knows outdoor & water-repellent cushions · sunbeds and loungers · boat and RV cushions
186 readings · 95 answers · 17 guides
Meet CallumFair winds — Callum
Manifesto
Height is a feeling. Measure it sitting down, feet flat on the floor.
Knows floor seating · IKEA fits (Hemnes daybed, Kallax) · small apartments
163 readings · 95 answers · 19 guides
Meet Hana— Hana
Manifesto
The best cushion is the one everybody fights over, the dog included.
Knows porch swings · rocking chairs & gliders · papasan and hanging chairs
245 readings · 93 answers · 20 guides
Meet RosaPorch light's on — Rosa
Nate Kowalski
The Pattern Engineer of Detroit, Michigan
Every odd shape is just a list of honest measurements.
Manifesto
Every odd shape is just a list of honest measurements. Write the unit beside each one.
Knows templates & odd shapes · trapezoid and bay-window geometry · L and U layouts
183 readings · 146 answers · 23 guides
Meet Nate± 1/4 in — Nate
Interactive tools
The Studio
Build a bench cushion in 3D, try a fabric on it, or let a calculator work out a bay window's angles and a trapezoid's four sides before you order.
Fabrics
The Swatch Library
Twelve fabric families read for hand, wear and care, and for how their color shifts between a screen and a north-facing window.
The whole library
States & countries
Across the Map
Salt air in New England, hard sun in the Southwest, damp summers on a Southern porch: where a cushion lives decides what it should be made of.
All 112 placesUnited States
Start with a region
64 guides in the United States. Tap the map or search.
Canada
Popular here
11 guides in Canada. Search, or see the list.Tap the map or search.
UK & Ireland
Popular here
6 guides in the UK and Ireland. Search, or see the list.Tap the map or search.
Europe
Australia & NZ
Popular here
2 guides in Australia and New Zealand. Search, or see the list.Tap the map or search.
Buyers
What buyers value
A fit that lands, color that looks right in the room, comfort that lasts and clear answers before anything is cut.
See what buyers valueFAQ
Questions buyers ask first
What should I measure before ordering a custom cushion?
Measure the seat, not the old cushion: length left to right along the front, depth from the front edge to the wall or backrest, and the thickness you want. Label each number and give the exact size of the space; the maker handles any fitting allowance. The bench measuring pattern shows each step.
How thick can a made-to-measure cushion be?
The usual standard is 4 in (10 cm), but cushions have been made from under 1 in up to about 8 to 10 in, and floor cushions up to 12 in (30 cm). Thinner suits dining benches; thicker suits deep window seats and floor seating. The seat height calculator checks the arithmetic.
Can custom cushion covers go in the washing machine?
Yes. The covers unzip from the underside and come off completely, and every fabric, velvet and linen included, machine washes at 86°F (30°C) on a gentle cycle. Air dry instead of tumble drying. Button-tufted cushions are the exception: their covers don't come off, so spot clean those.
Can a cushion be made for a trapezoid, curved or L-shaped seat?
Yes, any size and shape. Draw the seat with every side measured, or trace a paper template, and photograph both the drawing and the space. The shape is redrawn and confirmed before quoting. The trapezoid cushion calculator checks your four sides first.
How do I choose a cushion color I can't see in person?
Order fabric swatches and look at them in daylight, next to the wood, wall and rug they will live with. Ask for close-up photos of the codes you're weighing as well; lighting shifts tones on a screen, so a sample in your hand is the honest test when color matters.
Why does a new cushion look flat or short out of the box?
Cushions travel vacuum-packed, and foam measures short straight out of the bag. Unwrap it right away: it keeps expanding for 3 to 5 days, sometimes up to a week. Measure again after that, and if it is still short, send tape-measure photos to the maker.
With color and care — Élodie
Buyer questions
- A common question
Can you work the sizes out from my photos, or should I write the measurements down?
The workshop's answerWrite out the exact measurements, please. Sizes aren't worked out from photos because that leads to mistakes. The clearest option is a simple paper drawing with every edge measured; if numbers are unreadable or edges are missing, you'll be asked for a new one.
Read the answer: Custom cushion size from a photo? Send these 4 numbers instead
- A common question
What density is your foam? I need something commercial-grade for a busy kitchen nook.
The workshop's answerThe cushions use 32-density high-density foam with a medium-firm feel. On 3 in (7.5 cm) seat cushions that means comfortable, but firm enough to hold its shape over time.
Read the answer: Bench Cushion Foam Density: 2.0 lb (32 kg/m³) Medium-Firm
- A common question
I'm ordering a cream daybed mattress cover. Should the piping be cream too, or a contrast?
The workshop's answerIt's your styling call, and every route works: no piping, cream on cream (the zero-risk option) or a muted contrast such as camel, which sits in the same warm family as cumin accents. Listing and review photos of burnt terracotta piping in real rooms show how much presence a contrast has.
Read the answer: Contrast Piping Cushion or Matching Piping: Which to Choose