A Reading by MaggieBanquette & Kitchen Nook Cushions
Saffron banquette cushions in two lengths, and the nook with a sill that stuck out
A long bench is two cushions pretending to be one. This courtyard pulls it off beautifully, and a buyer's L-shaped nook pulled it off with an inch to spare.
SaveThe quick answer
A banquette cushion longer than about 8 ft (2.4 m) is usually made in two lengths that butt together, because very long cushions are made and shipped in two pieces. One buyer's L-shaped nook took seats of 82 × 18 in (208 × 46 cm) and 29.25 × 18 in (74 × 46 cm), 3 in (7.5 cm) thick.
Two lengths and a pillow on the joint
Look at the middle of the bench first. The saffron cushion is two lengths butted end to end, and an olive-green pillow sits right on the joint. That is not decoration, dear. That is a cover-up, and a good one. Each length lifts out on its own.
The fabric is a saffron outdoor weave with fine white veining, piped in its own cloth. Self piping keeps a busy surface calm at the edge, and the box edge squares up neatly against the plaster.
Every prop earns its place. Lime plaster and terracotta tiles are warm, so saffron glows instead of shouting. The olive pillows repeat the ivy and the olive tree. Marble bistro tables pulled close turn the bench into a dining seat. Red geraniums in the window boxes are the only other bright, and they stay up high, well away from the cushion.
The idea to copy for your own banquette cushions: split a long run into two lengths and put a pillow where they meet. For an L, read which piece owns the corner first. What does your bench measure, end to end?
The nook in four pieces
The buyer's L-shaped nook as the workshop cut it: seats first, backs on a second order.
| Piece | Size | Thickness | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seat, long run | 82 × 18 in (208 × 46 cm) | 3 in (7.5 cm) | velvet, contrast piping |
| Seat, short run | 29.25 × 18 in (74 × 46 cm) | 3 in (7.5 cm) | re-measured before cutting |
| Back, long run | 82 × 5.75 in (208 × 15 cm) | 2 in (5 cm) | second order |
| Back, short run | 45 × 5.75 in (114 × 15 cm) | 2 in (5 cm) | runs past the short seat |
The sill sticks out about 1 in (2.5 cm), so a 2 in (5 cm) back cushion clears it. The short back runs longer than the short seat: in an L, the backs follow the wall around the corner.
Pinned by Maggie: five spots on the bench
Five spots on the courtyard bench, and the job each one is doing.
- front cushion length
The banquette is cushioned in two lengths so each lifts out easily.
- olive-green pillow
Olive pillows pick up the ivy and olive tree in the courtyard.
- second cushion length
A pillow placed at the joint hides where the two lengths meet.
- figs on marble table
Marble bistro tables set close make the bench a dining seat.
- terracotta tiles
Saffron on terracotta keeps the whole courtyard sun-warm.
- front cushion lengthThe banquette is cushioned in two lengths so each lifts out easily.
- olive-green pillowOlive pillows pick up the ivy and olive tree in the courtyard.
- second cushion lengthA pillow placed at the joint hides where the two lengths meet.
- figs on marble tableMarble bistro tables set close make the bench a dining seat.
- terracotta tilesSaffron on terracotta keeps the whole courtyard sun-warm.
The L-shaped nook and the sill that stuck out an inch
A buyer in the US wrote to the workshop about an L-shaped window nook. The first quote was for two 3 in velvet cushions with contrast piping. Then came a second round with the tape measure, and the real numbers: 82 × 18 in and 29.25 × 18 in. Measure the bench, not the cushion you used to have. Same fabric, same price, better fit.
The seats were loved. But the window sill sticks out about an inch, right where shoulders land. So the buyer came back for two slim back cushions, 82 × 5.75 in and 45 × 5.75 in, only 2 in thick, to hold the sitter just forward of the sill. As a returning customer they paid less, and the piping cost nothing extra.
- Sizes
- Seats 82 × 18 × 3 in and 29.25 × 18 × 3 in; backs 82 × 5.75 × 2 in and 45 × 5.75 × 2 in
The lesson: A slim back cushion can bring the seat forward past a protruding window sill.
My notebook list before you send the message
- A photo of the whole bench, taken straight on.
- A drawing with every side labeled A, B, C, D, plus the depth.
- Each run of an L, and every break in a bay, measured on its own.
- Seat and back thicknesses, written separately.
- Anything that sticks out over the seat: a sill, trim, a ledge.
Three questions from buyers with long benches
- A common question
Our bay seat is an odd shape. How do I send you the measurements?
The workshop's answerSend a photo of the space and a drawing with every side labeled A, B, C, D, plus the depth. In a bay, measure at every break. If a side is missing, the D side for example, the workshop asks for it before quoting. Centimeters are the preferred unit.
- A common question
Roughly what does a custom bench cushion cost?
The workshop's answerEach one is priced from its own size and fabric. Past quotes ran from a 41.5 × 13 × 2 in bench pad to a 98 × 22 × 4 in velvet bench. Send length, depth, thickness and fabric for yours.
- A common question
Can you make one cushion 8 to 11 feet long?
The workshop's answerUsually not. Very long cushions are made and shipped in two pieces: requests for 98, 105, 136 and 141 in were all offered as pairs. A 75 × 38 in daybed cushion can be one piece.
A banquette cushion over 8 ft is usually made in two lengths. Put a pillow on the joint and nobody at the table will notice.
Maggie, on long benches
On the cutting table: the courtyard banquette
| Cushion | Outdoor banquette cushion, box edge, in two butted lengths |
|---|---|
| Fabric | Saffron outdoor weave with white veining |
| Pillows | Olive green, one placed on the joint |
| Piping | Self piping, top and bottom seams |
| Thickness | 2, 3, 4 or 5 in (5 to 12.5 cm), same price |
| Outdoor fabric | Water-repellent and UV-resistant; close to 200 options |
| Best for | Built-in patio benches, courtyard dining, L-shaped nooks |
Have it made
Have this made — ask Maggie’s workshop
Numbers first, fabric second, piping last. Jot down what you have, and the workshop will go down the list with you, item by item. — Maggie
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
Where should the joint go on a two-piece banquette cushion?
Where it can hide: under a pillow, behind a table leg or at the corner of an L. Each length then lifts out on its own for cleaning.
Why would a back cushion be only 5.75 in tall?
It isn't there to lean into like a sofa back. A slim strip, 2 in thick, holds you forward so a window sill that sticks out about 1 in never meets your shoulders.
Does piping cost extra on a banquette cushion?
No. Piping is included, whether self piping, contrast piping from any chart color or none at all. Write the piping code separately from the body fabric code.
Stitch straight — Maggie
Long benches, other settings
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