A Reading by NateBay Window Cushions
A denim blue bay window seat cushion, cut edge to edge for a golden retriever
Partner, a bay window seat is a small space with more edges than it looks. Cut the cushion to every one of them and a shallow nook sleeps a full-grown retriever.
SaveThe quick answer
A bay window seat cushion feels generous when it is cut to the bay's own angles, edge to edge, instead of stopping square short of the returns. Label every side A to F, give the depth, and have a second person check the numbers. For a dog, choose a tight, mid-tone weave from the pet-friendly range with a washable cover.
Reading the bay left to right
Left to right: a brass swing-arm lamp on the sill, not the seat. Cream linen and beige plaid pillows grouped at the two ends. A clear middle, taken by a golden retriever stretched from one facet to the next. White sash windows and a leafy street beyond.
The cushion is denim blue, self piped, box edge, and its ends are cut to the bay's return angle instead of stopping square. That is where the room comes from: no dead triangles of bare wood at the corners, so every inch of a shallow seat is usable. Angles are just lengths in disguise; measure them as lengths and the bay window calculator does the rest.
Denim blue sets off the dog's gold coat and the white paint, and the plaid pillows borrow the coat's warm tone. A tight weave from the pet-friendly range lets fur brush off instead of working into a pile. Who claims the middle of your window seat?
Circled on the photo
Five things I circled on this photo, in the order I would measure them.
- Faceted bay cushion
The cushion follows each facet of the bay, so the dog can stretch out edge to edge.
- Angled end
The end is cut to the bay's return angle rather than squared off.
- Golden retriever
A tight pet-friendly weave lets fur brush off rather than work into the pile.
- Plaid pillow
Beige plaid pillows bring in the warm tone of the dog's coat.
- Brass reading lamp
A swing-arm lamp on the sill turns the bay into an evening reading seat.
- Faceted bay cushionThe cushion follows each facet of the bay, so the dog can stretch out edge to edge.
- Angled endThe end is cut to the bay's return angle rather than squared off.
- Golden retrieverA tight pet-friendly weave lets fur brush off rather than work into the pile.
- Plaid pillowBeige plaid pillows bring in the warm tone of the dog's coat.
- Brass reading lampA swing-arm lamp on the sill turns the bay into an evening reading seat.
The bay's numbers: 25.5 in sides, 54.5 in edge
| Item | A real bay from past orders | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Angled sections | 25.5 in (65 cm) each | Cut to the return angle, not squared off |
| Long edge | 54.5 in (138 cm) | Measured across the outer corners |
| Depth | Straight from the angled sections to the long edge | Never along the slanted side |
| Thickness | 4 in (10 cm), standard for trapezoids | Chosen before cutting |
| Check | A second person re-measured | Catches a swapped number before cutting |
Two people, one tape, one bay window seat
A couple in the US sent a photo of their bay window seat with the numbers in inches: angled sections of 25.5 in (65 cm) and a long edge of 54.5 in (138 cm). The workshop explained how to enter a bay as a trapezoid: depth straight from the angled sections to the long edge, length across the outer corners.
They were torn between four fabrics and wanted easy cleaning. All four wash at 86°F (30°C) on delicate, and two were slightly better for spot cleaning. After a second person double-checked the measurements, they ordered in a warm natural linen, L-02, with no further questions needed.
Three questions, answered to the quarter inch
- A common question
Is linen L-02 gray or beige? I want a warm off-white.
The workshop's answerL-02 is the best-selling fabric: a warm cream or natural beige, not gray-toned and not a dark beige. For something whiter, L-01 is lighter. L-02, L-03 and L-04 are the beige tones in the linen chart.
- A common question
What measurements do you need for an angled-end or trapezoid cushion?
The workshop's answerLabel every side and give the depth, for example A 6 in, B 6 in, C 68 in, D 34 in, E 23 in, F 23 in, with 22 in depth in the middle. Pick the nearest size range, such as 22 × 68 in, then send the sides or a labeled drawing so the workshop can confirm before cutting.
- A common question
Which fabric should I pick with a small dog and a toddler?
The workshop's answerThe striped fabrics are 100% cotton: lovely, but they stain more easily. For easy cleaning choose the linen, soft or velvet ranges, all with removable, machine-washable covers. If the dog will be on the cushion constantly, the pet-friendly chart has extra-durable fabrics.
Have a second person re-measure a bay window seat before ordering: one couple's 25.5 in angled sections and 54.5 in long edge went through without a single question.
Nate
Cut sheet: the denim blue bay cushion
| Cushion | Trapezoid bay window seat cushion, cut to the return angles |
|---|---|
| Fabric | Tight performance weave, denim blue |
| Piping | Self piping |
| Edge | Box edge; 4 in (10 cm) standard for trapezoid shapes |
| Measurements | Sides labeled A to F, plus depth |
| Pillows | Cream linen and beige plaid, grouped at the ends |
| Care | Zippered cover, 86°F (30°C) delicate wash |
| Best for | Living room bays shared with dogs |
Have it made
Have this made — ask Nate’s workshop
Every edge and both diagonals, to the nearest 1/4 in. If the numbers do not close, the workshop will say so on the call. — 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.
Questions buyers ask next
Should a bay window cushion be one piece or several?
A small bay can be one trapezoid, entered by its long edge, angled sections and depth. Larger bays are usually split where the seat changes direction, so each piece sits flat on its own facet.
What is the return angle of a bay?
It is the angle where two sections of the seat meet. Many bays turn at about 135 degrees, but never assume it; two sides of the same bay can differ, so measure or trace each one.
Will dog hair cling to a performance weave?
Less than it clings to a pile fabric. A tight, flat weave lets fur brush off rather than work in, which suits a seat a dog shares. A mid tone also hides hair between washes.
± 1/4 in — Nate
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