The Cutting Table · a question, worked through
How accurate is the finished size of a handmade cushion?
Your numbers go to the cutting table exactly as written, half inches and all. Foam and thread add a little wobble after that; here is how much.
Pinned by Nate
The quick answer
A custom cushion is cut to the exact size you give, not rounded, but a handmade foam cushion can still vary by about 1/2-1 in (1-2.5 cm), and a fully tufted one by 1-2 in (2.5-5 cm). Measure the cushion itself, not the outer edge of the piping, and state it if the finished size must include the piping.
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Key facts
- Sizes are produced as written, not rounded: 22 x 99.5 in and 22 x 98.5 in were made exactly so.
- Handmade foam cushions can vary by about 1/2-1 in (1-2.5 cm).
- Fully tufted cushions can vary by 1-2 in (2.5-5 cm).
- Piping adds slightly to the outer dimension; a finished size including piping can be specified.
- A cushion that came out 3/8-3/4 in (1-2 cm) short of a 16 in (41 cm) depth was remade.
- A new piece can be matched to an earlier cushion's actual finished size.
- Notches and angled edges can be made from a photo and a drawing.
Have it made
Have Nate’s workshop cut this for you
Send the numbers in inches: length × depth × thickness, plus any angle. The workshop checks them with you, because foam has no undo button. — Nate
Leave your details and the workshop will call you to confirm measurements, fabric, foam and piping. No prices, dates or payment on this page: it is a request, not an order.
Will you round my numbers?
No. A buyer in the US ordered two long cushions at 22 x 99.5 in and 22 x 98.5 in (56 x 253 cm and 56 x 250 cm), and they were cut exactly that way. Nobody tidied 99.5 into 100.
What happens after the cut is tolerance. A handmade cushion filled with soft foam doesn't finish like a machined part: plan on about 1/2-1 in (1-2.5 cm), stated in some answers as about ±3/8 in (±1 cm). Tolerance is kindness to your future self, so build it in on a bench cushion that has to fit wall to wall.
How much each cushion type varies, in inches
| Cushion | Typical variation | What to write in the order |
|---|---|---|
| Plain handmade foam cushion | About 1/2-1 in (1-2.5 cm) | Your exact size, to the half inch |
| Fully tufted cushion | 1-2 in (2.5-5 cm) | Your exact size, and whether the space is a hard stop |
| Piped cushion | Piping adds a little outside the stated size | 'Size includes piping' if the total must fit |
| Follow-up piece | Matched to your first cushion | The real measured size of the earlier cushion |
What if it comes out short, or wide?
Say so, with a tape measure in the photo. A buyer needed a 16 in (41 cm) depth and the cushion came out 3/8-3/4 in (1-2 cm) short. That sat inside the stated tolerance, and the workshop remade it anyway.
The other direction happens too. A floor cushion ordered at about 43 in (110 cm) wide finished at about 47 in (120 cm). For the matching back cushion, the workshop matched the real 47 in so the two pieces line up. Is your space a hard stop, wall to wall, partner? The tolerance Pattern and the bench measuring Pattern go deeper.
A custom cushion ordered at 22 x 99.5 in is cut at 22 x 99.5 in; handmade foam then varies by about 1/2-1 in.
Nate
Buyer questions
- A common question
What size tolerance should I expect, and does the piping count in the width?
The workshop's answerHandmade cushions and covers can vary by about 1/2-1 in. Measure the cushion itself, not from the outer edge of the piping, because the piping adds a little to the outer size. If an exact finished size matters, for example in an installation, state that the dimension must include the piping.
- A common question
How exact will the finished size be?
The workshop's answerCustom handmade cushions can vary by about ±3/8 in (±1 cm) in the final dimensions. Fully handmade tufted cushions can differ by 1-2 in.
- A common question
Is my cushion made to my exact size, and can you notch it around a window frame that sticks out?
The workshop's answerYes, cushions are made to the exact size you give; 22 x 99.5 in and 22 x 98.5 in were produced as written, not rounded. For a window frame protruding about 3/4 in (2 cm), send a photo; a notch or angled edge is fine with a drawing showing the measurements.
- A common question
Can you add my size to the listing? What is the 'Custom for...' option?
The workshop's answerYes. Send your exact size and the workshop adds it as a new size option or creates a private 'Custom for you' listing at the quoted price. A 'Custom for...' option already in the menu belongs to a past customer.
Questions buyers ask next
Are tufted cushions less exact than plain ones?
Yes. Fully tufted handmade cushions can differ by 1-2 in (2.5-5 cm) in their final dimensions, against about 1/2-1 in (1-2.5 cm) for a plain foam cushion. Allow for that in a tight alcove or between two walls.
Can a new cushion match one I already have from you?
Yes. A follow-up piece can be matched to the real finished size of your earlier cushion rather than its ordered size, so a seat and back cushion line up. Measure the first cushion and send that number.
Should I round my measurements before ordering?
No. Send the exact figures, half inches included; they're cut as written. Rounding up or down yourself only moves the cushion further from the space it has to fit, before tolerance even enters the picture.
