---
title: "Notched Window Seat Cushion: Cutting Around a Window Casing"
url: "https://cushionguide.com/answers/cushion-with-notch-cut-out-around-casing/"
section: "The Cutting Table"
author: "Nate Kowalski, The Pattern Engineer of Detroit"
author_url: "https://cushionguide.com/masters/nate/"
published: "2026-05-28"
updated: "2026-09-24"
keywords: "notched window seat cushion, window seat cushion around casing, cushion notch back edge, custom cut-out cushion, window casing cushion fit"
---

# Can you notch a cushion to fit around a window casing?

*A 3/4 in lip of trim can hold a whole cushion off the wall. The fix is a notch, drawn to the quarter inch.*

Also asked as: Cushion notched around the window casing?; The casing stops the cushion touching the wall.

> **The quick answer:** Yes, a window seat cushion can be notched to clear a window casing so it sits fully against the wall. On a 109.25 x 25 in (277.5 x 63.5 cm) seat with a casing 0.75 in (1.9 cm) deep, the notch ran 0.75 in deep and 96.25 in (244.5 cm) wide along the back edge. Send a sketch and photo, then approve a diagram before the quote.

![Thin berry-red striped window seat cushion in a sash window recess flanked by bookshelves and linen curtains](https://cushionguide.com/media/window-seat-cushions/berry-red-stripe-window-seat-library-nook-1600.webp "A slim berry-red stripe window seat between bookshelves, its red matched to the rug and the book spines.")

## Key facts

- A notched back edge lets a cushion sit against the wall while clearing a casing.
- Example: a 109.25 x 25 in (277.5 x 63.5 cm) seat with a notch 0.75 in (1.9 cm) deep and 96.25 in (244.5 cm) wide.
- Full 25 in (63.5 cm) depth was kept for 6 in (15 cm) on the left and 7 in (18 cm) on the right.
- Indentations on existing cushions should be measured exactly.
- The backrest size must be confirmed for every piece.
- The workshop sends a diagram of the notched shape for approval before quoting.

## Why a 3/4 in lip of trim matters

A window casing that projects even 0.75 in (1.9 cm) from the wall catches the back edge of a seat cushion and holds the whole thing off the wall. You get a gap behind and a cushion hanging proud of the front edge.

The fix is a notch: a shallow rectangle taken out of the back edge, exactly as deep as the casing projects and exactly as wide as the casing runs. Where nothing is in the way, the cushion keeps its full depth. Measure twice; the fabric remembers.

The general method is in the [notch and cut-out Pattern](https://cushionguide.com/guides/notched-cushion-cutouts-posts-casings/), and [measuring a window seat](https://cushionguide.com/guides/how-to-measure-window-seat-cushion/) covers the rest of the numbers. More shapes live under [window seat cushions](https://cushionguide.com/cushions/window-seat-cushions/), and the glossary defines a [window casing](https://cushionguide.com/glossary/#window-casing).

## The 109.25 in seat, segment by segment

| Segment | Width | Depth |
|---|---|---|
| Left end, clear of the casing | 6 in (15 cm) | 25 in (63.5 cm), full |
| Notched middle, under the casing | 96.25 in (244.5 cm) | 24.25 in (61.6 cm) |
| Right end, clear of the casing | 7 in (18 cm) | 25 in (63.5 cm), full |
| Whole cushion | 109.25 in (277.5 cm) | Notch depth 0.75 in (1.9 cm) |

## Measuring a notch the way the workshop reads it

1. **Measure the full seat**: Front length, and depth from wall to front edge where nothing is in the way.
2. **Measure the casing's projection**: How far the trim stands off the wall. That is the notch depth.
3. **Measure the casing's width**: Outside edge to outside edge of the trim. That is the notch width.
4. **Locate the notch**: Measure from each end of the seat to the casing.
5. **Check the sum, then send**: Left end plus notch plus right end must equal the full length. Sketch the top view with every number, add a photo, and approve the diagram.

## Three pieces of furniture, three sets of indentations

One buyer wrote in about cushions for three pieces of wooden furniture. The old cushions weren't plain rectangles; each had indentations shaped to fit around the frame. The advice was to measure those indentations exactly, not roughly, and to confirm the backrest size for every piece too. How many edges does your old cushion have, partner? Count them before you pick up the tape.

> **Tailor's margin:** Notched window seat cushion rule: left end + notch width + right end must equal the full seat length, e.g. 6 + 96.25 + 7 = 109.25 in.

> A window casing only 0.75 in deep can keep a seat cushion off the wall; a notched back edge lets the cushion sit flush.
>
> — Nate

## Buyer questions

**A common question:** My window casing overhangs the seat, so the cushion can't reach the wall. Can you notch it?

**The workshop's answer:** Yes. A notched back edge lets it sit flush while clearing the casing. On a 109.25 x 25 in seat, the notch was 0.75 in deep and 96.25 in wide. Send a sketch and photo, and approve the diagram before the quote.

**A common question:** My old cushions are cut out to fit around the furniture frame. Do I measure the cut-outs?

**The workshop's answer:** Yes. Take exact measurements including every indentation, and confirm the backrest size for each piece as well.

**A common question:** How do I measure a built-in window seat for a cushion?

**The workshop's answer:** Use a rigid tape on the seat top: front edge wall to wall, back edge, depth on the left and right, and any angled sides. Inside a frame, measure wood to wood, and send a top-view sketch with a photo.

## Questions buyers ask next

### What if the casing covers only part of the seat's back edge?

That is the usual case. The notch runs only as wide as the casing, and the cushion keeps its full depth wherever nothing is in the way, like the 6 in and 7 in full-depth ends on a 109.25 in seat.

### Is a list of numbers enough, or do I need a drawing for a notch?

Send both if you can: a top-view sketch with each notch's depth, width and position, plus a photo. The workshop turns that into a diagram of the notched shape and sends it for your approval before quoting.

### Does cushion thickness change how high the window seat sits?

Yes. Seat height is the bench height plus the cushion thickness, so a 15 in (38 cm) bench with a 3 in (7.6 cm) cushion puts you at 18 in (46 cm). Say whether any height you give is measured from the floor.

## Related at the atelier

- [Window Seat Cushion Notched Around a Pier, Built for Long Sitting](https://cushionguide.com/readings/antique-gold-office-window-bench-cushion-pier-cutout/): A window seat cushion for long sitting should run the full bench, be notched around any pier or post, and stay near desk-chair height rather than sofa-soft.
- [Notches and cut-outs: window seat cushions around posts, casings and units](https://cushionguide.com/concepts/notched-window-seat-cushions/): A notched window seat cushion is cut from a drawing that gives each notch its width, depth and distance from both ends, ordered through the custom-shape listing.
- [Striped Window Seat Cushion: Powder Blue in a White Alcove](https://cushionguide.com/readings/blue-stripe-window-seat-cushion-panelled-alcove/): A powder blue and white striped window seat cushion works in a white paneled alcove because the stripes run wall to front, echoing the vertical boards, while a light oak floor warms the cool blue.
- [Navy Bouclé Window Seat Cushion, Read Through Four Seasons](https://cushionguide.com/readings/navy-boucle-window-seat-cushion-shaker-cupboards/): A navy bouclé window seat cushion works all year on a sunny landing because its looped texture catches light in summer and looks warm in winter.
- [What if my window seat measurements don't add up because the corners aren't square?](https://cushionguide.com/answers/cushion-measurements-dont-add-up-not-square/): If your window seat measurements don't add up, nothing is cut: the workshop draws the cushion to scale, checks that the shape closes, and asks you to re-measure named edges, measure both diagonals…
- [Can you make a T-shaped cushion for my window seat?](https://cushionguide.com/answers/t-shaped-window-seat-cushion/): A small inverted-T cushion can be made in one piece from a simple sketch showing every dimension and where the cut-outs go, in 2, 3 or 4 in (5, 7.5 or 10 cm) thickness.
- [How to dimension a notch so a cushion fits around posts and casings](https://cushionguide.com/guides/notched-cushion-cutouts-posts-casings/)
- [Window seat dimensions and the cushion sizes that fit them](https://cushionguide.com/guides/window-seat-dimensions/)

*± 1/4 in — Nate*

---

Written by Nate Kowalski (https://cushionguide.com/masters/nate/) for CushionGuide (https://cushionguide.com/about/). The site explains made-to-measure cushions and the partner workshop makes them; measurements are in inches first. This Markdown mirrors the page at https://cushionguide.com/answers/cushion-with-notch-cut-out-around-casing/