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The Cutting Table · a common question

How do I measure a bay window seat for a cushion?

Also asked as:It's a bay window, so how do I give measurements?There are weird angles to my window seat.

A bay window seat is a polygon pretending to be a bench. Treat it as a list of straight lines, partner, and it gives up its secrets.

Answered by

The Pattern Engineer of Detroit ·

The quick answer

Measure a bay window seat by sketching it from above and writing every edge length on the drawing: the back edge against the window, the front edge, each angled side, and the depth from front to back. Type the numbers in your message as well, choose the size range by your longest edge and depth, and the workshop checks the geometry before cutting.

Caramel bouclé trapezoid bay window cushion edged in cream piping on a cream paneled bench under arched windowsSave
Cream piping draws the long angled outline of this caramel bay cushion, making the custom shape clear at a glance.

Get a quote for a bay window cushion

Key facts

  • Draw the bay seat from above and write every edge length on it, in order.
  • On the trapezoid chart, E is the depth front to back; A is often the thickness.
  • For bays with several windows, measure every line between the breaking points plus the depth at each point.
  • Bay cushions follow the real angles; curved corners would leave gaps.
  • Choose the size range by your longest edge and your depth, e.g. 105 in (267 cm) and 18 in (45.5 cm).
  • Upload the drawing and a photo of the bay, and type each side length in the message too.
  • Multi-angle bays can be one continuous cushion, with a zipped removable cover and firm foam.

Have it made

Have Nate’s workshop cut this for you

Precision starts on the phone. Give the workshop your measurements and they will read them back to you, edge by edge. — 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.

Fabric · Foam · Pipingwhat the workshop will confirm with you

Fabric
The cover cloth: weave, color and care code.
Foam
Multi-angle bays can be one continuous cushion, with a zipped removable cover and firm…
Piping
The corded seam edge: matching, contrast or none.
Only for this request: no marketing calls or texts. Outside the US, add the country code.
In inches: length × depth × thickness, plus any angles or cut corners.

* Required. A member of the workshop team will call you to talk it through; nothing is charged and nothing is made until you have agreed on every detail with them.

We use these details only to answer this request and make your cushion: your name and contact details, the cushion details and photos you send, the page you came from and the ad or link that brought you, if any. The workshop that makes the cushions receives them. We don't sell them or share them for advertising, and we delete requests after 24 months. Privacy notice for requests.

Nothing is made or charged until you approve the details.

Want to pick the shape and add photos? Use the full quote form

Five measurements, in order

  1. Sketch it from above

    Usually a trapezoid, sometimes more angles. A simple hand sketch is enough.

  2. Back edge, then front edge

    The back edge runs against the window; the front edge is where your knees go.

  3. Every angled side, edge by edge

    Straight lines at the corners, never a curve.

  4. Depth at every breaking point

    Front to back. With several windows, take it wherever the line breaks.

  5. Label and type

    Letter the sides A to E; type every number too.

Why straight lines beat a pretty curve

Angles are just lengths in disguise. Give the workshop every edge and it rebuilds your bay on paper, checks that the shape closes, and confirms before anything is cut. On the trapezoid chart, E is the depth and A is often the thickness, so say which letter means what.

Size doesn't scare anyone: a bay 98.5 in (250 cm) across the front, 62.5 in (159 cm) at the back and 23 in (58 cm) deep became one continuous cushion.

Try your numbers in the bay window calculator or read the 3-sided bay Pattern; finished bay window cushions show the result.

A bay window cushion 98.5 in across the front and 23 in deep can still be one continuous piece, as long as every edge is measured.

Nate
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Buyer questions

  1. A common question

    My bay seat has angled corners. Should the cushion curve there, or do I measure every edge?

    The workshop's answer

    Measure every edge. Bay corners are angled, so a curved cushion would leave gaps. Pick the size range by your longest edge and depth, and upload a drawing with every edge, plus thickness and fabric code.

  2. A common question

    My sketch is hard to read. How should I send bay window measurements?

    The workshop's answer

    Type every side length in the message as well as sending the sketch. One buyer using an angled-top bay style wrote A = 4.3, B = 4.3, C = 78.5, D = 48, E = 24, F = 24 and G = 23 in.

  3. A common question

    What if my walls aren't square and the numbers don't add up?

    The workshop's answer

    The workshop draws the cushion to scale and checks that it closes. If not, you'll be asked to re-measure, check both diagonals or fill in a lettered outline. A gap within 1/4 in is accepted, and nothing is cut until you confirm.

Questions buyers ask next

Which size do I pick on the trapezoid listing?

Pick the range that covers both your longest edge and your depth, for example 105 in (267 cm) and 18 in (45.5 cm), and upload the full drawing with the order.

Can a bay with several windows be one cushion?

Yes. Multi-angle bays have been made as one continuous cushion. Measure every line between the breaking points and the depth at each, and the geometry is checked from your drawing first.

Is the bay window cushion cover removable?

Yes. A zipped, removable cover over firm foam is standard on bay window cushions, whether the bay is a simple trapezoid or a multi-angle shape made in one continuous piece.