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The Best Fabric for Sewing Cushions: 
A Guide for Beginners

If you're just starting your sewing journey, you're probably looking for an easy project—something simple, yet beautiful and practical. 

Enter cushions! 

 

They’re the perfect beginner-friendly sewing project, and who doesn’t love adding a personal touch to their home decor?

 

Choosing cushion fabric might seem straightforward. After all, cushions can be made from almost any fabric—I’ve even made some from Single Jersey (yes, the same fabric used for T-shirts!). But what’s the best fabric for cushions? The answer depends on where and how the cushions will be used, as well as the look and feel you want to achieve.

 

At Custom Fabrics UK, we offer several fabric types that are perfect for cushions. While personal preference plays a big role, a good cushion fabric should be durable, easy to clean, and able to withstand regular use. Let’s take a closer look at our top cushion fabric choices.

Cotton Drill – The Classic Choice

If you’re looking for a natural cotton feel, Cotton Drill is a fantastic option. This medium-weight fabric has a diagonal weave, which makes it extra strong and durable. It’s also super easy to sew, making it a great choice for beginners. Cotton Drill cushions have a timeless, natural look that works well in any home setting.

Linen Look – Rustic and Elegant

Want that beautiful linen texture without the hassle of sewing actual linen? Our Linen Look fabric is perfect! It’s a medium-weight polyester fabric designed to mimic the look of real linen while being soft, durable, and easy to sew. If you’re going for a rustic, farmhouse-inspired style, this is the fabric for you.

UV Resistant Waterproof Canvas 

– The Outdoor Champion

If you’re making outdoor cushions, you need a fabric that can withstand the elements. Our UV Resistant Waterproof Canvas is built for the job. It’s perfect for garden furniture, bean bags, and floor cushions—plus, it’s super easy to clean! Just keep in mind that when you sew waterproof fabric, your sewing machine creates tiny holes. To make your cushions fully waterproof, we recommend gluing the seam allowances after sewing.

Upholstery Velvet 

– Extra Durability for Heavy Use

If you love the look and feel of velvet but need something even more sturdy and hard-wearing, Upholstery Velvet is the answer. This heavyweight fabric is backed with a fire-retardant coating and is rated at 50,000 rubs on the Martindale scale—perfect for high-traffic areas, commercial settings, or homes with kids and pets. It’s the ultimate combination of luxury and durability.

French Velvet – The Ultimate Cushion Fabric

Looking for that luxurious, soft-to-the-touch feel? 

French Velvet is our absolute favourite cushion fabric - and for good reason! It’s incredibly soft, yet highly durable (30,000 rubs on the Martindale scale, meaning it can withstand plenty of use). You won’t be able to stop stroking it! It’s easy to sew, and we recommend using a Microtex (sharp) needle for the best results. 

If you want cushions that feel high-end and last for years, French Velvet is the way to go.

What About Cotton?

You’ve probably seen plenty of cushion tutorials using cotton fabrics like cotton poplin or craft cotton. While they are very easy to cut and sew, most cottons are quite thin and don’t have the same longevity and durability as the fabrics mentioned above. 

If you want professional-looking cushions that will last, French Velvet is a much better choice

Custom Printed Cushions – Make It Personal!

 

We love making cushions so much that we created a collection of Cushion Panels with amazing designs! You can choose your design, size, and fabric base, or even print a bespoke cushion with your own image or photo. A truly unique way to personalize your home!

 

Ready to start sewing? 

 

Check out our full range of cushion-friendly fabric panels at Custom Fabrics UK and create something amazing today!

Browse over 1000 cushion designs

Create your own cushion

How to Sew a Cushion Cover.

Check out our beginner friendly Youtube video on how to make an easy cushion cover complete with an invisible zipper. 

 

There are also step-by-step instructions that will guide you through the process. 

 

Simply click the image which will take you to our video tutorial.