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The Cutting Table · a question, worked through

My window seat has lift-up lids. Should the cushion be split?

One long cushion looks tidy until you want the blankets underneath. Here is the thread on splitting, with a radiator case at the end.

Answered by

The Pattern Engineer of Detroit ·

Pinned by Nate

The quick answer

Yes: split a storage bench cushion at the lid lines, so each section lifts with its own lid; three lids get three cushions. Over a radiator, split it too: a 106 x 15 in (269 x 38 cm) window seat got two 53 x 15 in cushions so the radiator area isn't sealed off. Send photos and a drawing of every section.

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Key facts

  • Cushions can be sectioned to match lift-up bench lids.
  • One separate cushion per lid section is recommended.
  • Over a radiator, two cushions are recommended so the radiator area isn't sealed off.
  • A 106 x 15 in (269 x 38 cm) radiator window seat was split into two 53 x 15 in (135 x 38 cm) cushions.
  • Sections that aren't identical each need their own drawing.
  • Each drawing shows front, back, both sides and the depth at each end.

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Foam
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“The bench below opens up. One cushion or several?”

Several, partner. Split the cushion at the lid lines so each section lifts with its own lid. One long cushion across three lids means lifting the whole seat to reach one blanket.

On a bay window seat with three flip-up lids, the recommendation was three separate cushions, one per lid. The hinged-lid storage bench pattern covers the details, and the glossary explains the storage bench.

“It's slightly asymmetrical. What do I draw?”

If the sections aren't identical, each one gets its own drawing. On one bench the sections differed by about 1.5 in (4 cm) in depth, which is plenty to matter.

  1. Front edge

    Along the front of that section only.

  2. Back edge

    Along the wall or back rail, same section.

  3. Both sides

    Left and right, measured separately.

  4. Depth at each end

    Front to back at the left end, then the right. This is where a 1.5 in difference shows up.

A real project

A 106 in window seat over a radiator

A buyer in the US had a 106 x 15 in (269 x 38 cm) window seat with a radiator underneath and asked: one piece or two? The recommendation was two cushions of 53 x 15 in (135 x 38 cm), so the radiator area isn't sealed off under one long slab. Same total length, two pieces.

Measured
106 x 15 in seat · two cushions at 53 x 15 in
What it taught
Over a radiator, two cushions beat one.

A 106 in window seat over a radiator was made as two 53 x 15 in cushions, so one long cushion doesn't seal the radiator area off.

Nate
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Buyer questions

  1. A common question

    Can my storage bench cushion be split into sections that match the lids?

    The workshop's answer

    Yes. The cushions are divided at the lid lines so each section lifts with its own lid. Send a clear drawing with every edge measured; if the sections differ, each needs its own drawing with front, back, both sides and the depth at each end.

  2. A common question

    My bay seat has three flip-up lids. How should the cushions be made?

    The workshop's answer

    Send clear photos and measurements. The recommendation was three separate cushions, one for each flip-up section.

  3. A common question

    How do I order a cushion that isn't a rectangle?

    The workshop's answer

    Use the custom-shape listing: choose the size range by the longest length and deepest depth, which only sets the price bracket, then upload a drawing with every edge measured, plus thickness and fabric code. The cushion is cut to your drawing.

Questions buyers ask next

Can split bench cushions be different lengths?

Yes. Each section is cut to its own lid, so a long middle lid and two shorter end lids get three cushions of different lengths. Draw each one with its own numbers.

Why not one long cushion over a radiator?

One piece covers the whole radiator area and seals it off. Two cushions, as on the 106 in (269 cm) seat, were recommended instead, and either half lifts on its own.

Do I measure the lids or the whole bench top?

Both. Measure every edge of the bench top, then mark where each lid line falls on the drawing, so the cushion splits land on the lid joints.