A Reading by HarlanStar Poufs & Giant Star Floor Cushions
A star floor cushion up close: what striped piping does to the seam
Close enough to see the weave. One point of a star in periwinkle and maroon stripe, one seam, and the small decision that draws every line of it.
SaveThe quick answer
On a striped star floor cushion, self piping cut from the same stripe outlines every seam with a small candy-cane line and carries the pattern around the whole star. Contrast piping in one solid color draws a firmer outline, and no piping gives the softest edge. Stripes match on the top face only, so side seams fall where they may.
High Point ·
My friend,
One point of the striped star floor cushion, read close
You asked about piping, so I went looking for the closest photograph we had. Here it is: one point of a star floor cushion, near enough to count the threads.
The cloth is an awning stripe in periwinkle blue and maroon, a woven cotton, and at this distance the weave shows plainly in the pale bands. On the side band the stripes stand upright. On the top panel they run with the panel, so the two directions meet at the point of the star. The piping sits right on that meeting.
That piping is cut from the same stripe, self piping in the trade. Cut from a stripe, it turns into a small candy-cane line, and that line outlines every seam. Along the top edge it keeps the stripe story going all the way around the star.
Everything behind is soft focus on purpose: a canopy strung with fairy lights, a cloud lamp, a toy dump truck on a shelf. They tell you it is a child's room, then step back. The maroon band does the grounding, so the star does not float on a pale floor.
Striped cotton like this is an indoor cloth. It marks more easily than a polyester weave, so keep it for the playroom and not the patio. The striped cotton and ticking family has more colors, and the piping Pattern sets the three choices side by side.
Where my pencil landed on the seam
Four points on the close-up, from the piped corner to the two stripes.
- Piped corner
Piping cut from the stripe makes a small candy-cane line along the seam.
- Top edge piping
Self piping keeps the stripe story going around the whole star.
- Maroon stripe
The dark stripe grounds the pouf against a pale floor.
- Periwinkle stripe
The woven weave texture shows clearly at this distance.
- Piped cornerPiping cut from the stripe makes a small candy-cane line along the seam.
- Top edge pipingSelf piping keeps the stripe story going around the whole star.
- Maroon stripeThe dark stripe grounds the pouf against a pale floor.
- Periwinkle stripeThe woven weave texture shows clearly at this distance.
Three ways to finish the edge of a striped star
Stripes are pattern-matched on one face only. On a star the top lines up and the side seams fall where they may, so the piping does more of the pattern's work than you might think.
| Choice | What it does to the line | When I would pick it |
|---|---|---|
| Self piping, cut from the stripe | A thin candy-cane line that carries the pattern around every seam | A playroom where the pattern is the point |
| Contrast piping in one solid color | A firm single-color outline, strongest in one of the stripe's own colors, such as maroon | When the star's shape should read from across the room |
| No piping | The softest edge; the seam simply closes | Ribbed or plain cloths, where the fabric draws its own line |
If every side seam matters to you, choose a solid cloth and let a striped piping carry the pattern. Which of the three would you trust in a room full of small climbers?
A seat of 16 by 29 inches, and a back to match it
A buyer in the US asked for a custom floor cushion 16 x 29 in (41 x 74 cm) and 6 in (15 cm) thick, in velvet, and wanted advice on a back cushion to go with it.
The advice was plain, and I would give it again: make the backrest on the same 16 x 29 in footprint, at the standard 4 in (10 cm) thickness. Same outline, thinner body. The pair stacks neatly and leans cleanly, and it looks made for each other because it was.
- Sizes
- Seat 16 x 29 x 6 in (41 x 74 x 15 cm); back 16 x 29 x 4 in (41 x 74 x 10 cm)
The lesson: A backrest on the seat's own footprint, about 4 in thick, keeps a floor set in proportion.
Buyer questions
- A common question
Could the floor sofa be made longer, something like 85 or even 117 inches, so it seats three or four?
The workshop's answerNot as one piece: a single floor sofa tops out at 79 in (200 cm). Adding an ottoman with a backrest brings the run to 118 in (300 cm), and that version includes an extra metal support.
- A common question
Could you add a ruffle along the bottom of a quarter-round corner floor cushion?
The workshop's answerNo, ruffles are not made. The workshop can do a double layer in two different fabrics or colors instead. One buyer ordered three quarter-round corner cushions, 50 in (127 cm) on a side in 6.5 in (16.5 cm) foam, at a set price below the regular one.
- A common question
I have a strong allergy to foam. Is there any foam inside your linen tufted floor cushions?
The workshop's answerNo. The workshop does not use foam in its tufted floor cushions.
On the cutting table: the star seam
| Cushion | Star floor cushion (star pouf), box edge |
|---|---|
| Fabric | Woven awning stripe in periwinkle blue and maroon |
| Piping | Self piping cut from the same stripe |
| Pattern match | Top face only; side seams fall where they may |
| Use | Indoors; striped cotton marks more easily than polyester weaves |
| Matching back | Same footprint as the seat, about 4 in (10 cm) thick |
| Best for | Kids' rooms and playrooms |
Have it made
Have this made — ask Harlan’s workshop
Fabric has a temper and foam has a memory. Better to settle both in a conversation than to guess at them alone. — Harlan
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.
Self piping cut from a striped fabric turns every seam of a star floor cushion into a thin candy-cane line, so the stripe runs all the way around the star.
Harlan
Questions buyers ask next
Should a child's star floor cushion have piping at all?
It is a choice of line, not of comfort. Self piping in a stripe adds a playful outline, a solid contrast welt makes the star's shape read from across the room, and no piping gives the softest, quietest edge.
Will the stripes on a star pouf match at every seam?
No. Stripes are matched on one face, the top. The side seams of a star meet at angles, so the stripes there fall where they may. If perfect seams matter, choose a solid fabric and let a striped piping carry the pattern.
Can a striped cotton star pouf live outdoors?
Keep it indoors. Striped cottons are indoor fabrics and mark more easily than polyester weaves, so a playroom or bedroom suits them far better than a porch or patio.
How thick should the back cushion of a floor seat be?
About 4 in (10 cm) is the standard backrest thickness. Cut the back on the same footprint as the seat, so a 16 x 29 in seat gets a 16 x 29 in back, and the set stays in proportion.
Sit well. — Harlan
P.S. Hold the stripe against your own floor before you choose. The dark band is the one that keeps a star from floating on a pale floor.
Playroom seats and corduroy couches to compare
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