Design and Sew Custom Cushions for Home or Business
Instructor: Laurie Medford
Friday, January 29 – Saturday, January 30, 2027
9:00 am – 5:00 pm, with a 1-hour lunch on your own
Class size: Limited to 6 students (minimum 4)
Prerequisites: Basic sewing skills and experience using a sewing machine required
Learn to Make Custom Cushions Using Professional Workroom Methods
If you love to sew and want to make cushions for your own home or as a business, this hands-on class with Laurie Medford is the place to start. Over two days, you'll learn how to design and construct custom cushions on industrial equipment, using the same methods and machines professional workrooms rely on. This is a beginning-level class — you'll be sewing on industrial machines, but don't let that intimidate you. It's easier than you think!
Laurie brings a working professional's perspective to every step, walking you through not just the stitching but the decisions — fabric selection, foam density, yardage — that go into producing a cushion that looks and holds up like a professional product.
Class Projects
- A waterfall cushion with zipper
- A basic boxed cushion with welt cord and zipper
What You'll Learn
- Sewing on an industrial straight stitch machine
- Selecting fabric for cushion projects
- Figuring yardage
- Choosing the right foam density
- Making a foam cushion insert
- Cutting fabrics with pattern repeats
- Making and applying welt cord
- Installing zippers
What to Bring
Each student will have use of a 5' x 10' worktable, an industrial straight stitch machine with assorted machine feet, and a sewing kit — all provided. Pillow forms and foam are also provided. You'll need to bring your own fabric for two cushions, 2 yards each.
This is an active class, so please be sure to wear comfortable clothes. In a workroom environment, thick-soled shoes are a must have: no open-toed or thin-soled shoes, such as flats and sandals.
Who Should Take This Class
This class is designed for sewists with basic sewing skills and some experience using a sewing machine who want to learn professional cushion-making methods and tools.
Seats are limited to 6 students to ensure hands-on instruction time, with a minimum of 4 students required to run the class. Reserve your spot today.
