How to make lovely squashy cushion covers

I vaguely remember making cushion covers while in Home Economics class at my very ancient all girls grammar school.

It was all frills and lace, tucks and turns back then.

But it really need not be that complicated. Here's a simple piping/zip cushion which you only need to be able to master a sewing machine to make...

Here's what you'll need:

• A sewing machine
• A cushion (mine's 50cm x 50cm)
• Piping (4 x the width of your cushion + 10cm - so 210cm for me)
• Material 2 x (width + 5cm squared = 55cm)
• plus length of 5.5cm fabric cut on the bias for piping
• Dressmaking scissors
• Thread of similar colour to fabric
• Lots of pins
• Zip of similar colour to fabric
• Tailor's chalk

Get everything you need ready - it makes life 100% easier.
Take your 210cm length of bias cut 5.5cm wide fabric and fold in half (so it's just as long but 2.25cm wide)
Slip your piping into the crease and sew firmly into place.

Take your two squares of fabric which will form the front and rear of your cushion cover.
Cut the piece of fabric which will form the rear of the cushion in half.
Pin the zip and one half of fabric together - front sides facing each other - then sew:

Do the same to the other half of the rear fabric so the zip is sewn into the the middle of the square of fabric.
Lay the rear square of fabric on the floor - right side facing up.
Take the length of piping and lay it around the 4 sides of the cushion - piping pointing inwards:



Take the front side square of fabric and lay it right side facing down
Pin all 3 layers firmly in place.
Sew all 4 sides together 2.5 cm from the edge.
Open the zip and flip inside out . Insert cushion.
Here's what you should have!: