Stitch Plain Velvet Cushion - Bluebell

This is a plain velvet cushion in a deep bluebell blue, sized 50 x 50cm, and its defining feature is the hand-worked blanket stitch that runs the whole way round the edge. Worked in a pale ecru thread against the dark ground, the stitching reads as a row of small open triangles, so the outline of the cushion is picked out in a contrasting colour rather than left plain. The face is a soft, dense velvet with a short pile that catches the light and shifts tone slightly as you move around it.

A single square cushion this size is the reliable workhorse of a sofa or bed. At 50 x 50cm it holds its shape when propped in a corner and gives real back support when you sit into it, which is where the smaller sizes fall short. The dark blue sits comfortably against grey, cream and natural linen, and the ecru trim gives you a second colour to pick up in a throw or a lampshade. It suits a living room sofa, a bedroom that needs a bit of weight in the styling, or a reading chair where you want something substantial behind you.

The cover is polyester velvet front and back, and it fastens with a zip, so you can take the cover off for cleaning or swap the inner as needed. The zip also means the whole thing is easy to store flat out of season. Being a synthetic velvet, the pile holds its colour well and does not need the careful handling a natural velvet would. Brush the pile back into one direction after use to keep the surface looking even, and the blanket-stitch edge will hold its shape through normal use.

What is the cover made of?

The cover is polyester velvet on both the front and the back, giving a soft short pile that keeps its colour and stands up to everyday use on a sofa or bed.

How big is the cushion?

It measures 50 x 50cm, a full-size square that holds its shape when propped in the corner of a sofa and gives proper support when you lean into it.

Does the cover come off?

Yes, there is a zip closure along one edge, so you can remove the cover for cleaning or take the inner out to store the cover flat between seasons.

What is the stitching around the edge?

It is a blanket-stitch trim worked in a pale contrasting thread, which picks out the whole outline of the cushion and gives a second colour to style around.

What colours does it work with?

The deep blue sits well with grey, cream and natural tones, and the pale trim lets you tie it to a throw, a rug or a lampshade in a similar shade.

How do I keep the velvet looking good?

Brush the pile back into one direction after use so the surface stays even, since velvet pile can flatten and change tone where it is leaned on most.