Ring Bearer Cushion: Diy Guide

Making your own ring bearer cushion is a great way to bring a unique touch to your wedding day. There are many ways to make a ring bearer cushion, from sewing to gluing, and you can decorate it with anything from lace to embroidery. The first step is to gather your materials and cut your fabric to size. You can then assemble the cushion, add stuffing, and decorate it with ribbons, buttons, or other embellishments. Finally, attach the rings with a string or ribbon.

Choosing your fabric

When choosing your fabric, it's important to consider the overall theme and colour scheme of your wedding. You can use anything from satin to cotton, burlap or canvas—just make sure it matches! If you're going for a traditional look, opt for white or cream material. You can also add a lace overlay to your fabric of choice for an extra touch of elegance.

If you're feeling creative, experiment with different fabric combinations. Try using a unique fabric like burlap or embroidered material for the front, and a plain fabric for the back. You could also add ruffled trims or embroidered details to your fabric before assembling the pillow.

For a rustic look, choose a heavy fabric like burlap, linen or canvas. If your fabric has a print, make sure it suits your wedding theme. Keep in mind that certain fabrics hold folds and creases better than others—for example, burlap doesn't need to be ironed.

If you're using glue instead of sewing, hot glue sets faster than fabric glue, but be careful not to burn yourself!

Cutting and pinning the fabric

To make a ring-bearer cushion, you'll need to cut your chosen fabric into squares. The size of the squares will depend on the size of cushion you want to make. For a standard-sized cushion, cut two 8-inch or 9-inch squares, making sure to add a 1/4-inch seam allowance. If you want a bigger cushion, cut two 10-inch squares or two 11-inch squares if you're adding pintucks.

Once you have your fabric squares, stack them with the right sides together. Secure the edges with pins. If you're adding a ribbon, lay two lengths of ribbon across the first fabric square, extending past the square on opposite sides. Pin the ribbon in place, then place the other pillow square on top, followed by more pins along the edges. Leave a 4-inch opening on one side, which will be used to turn the pillow right side out and stuff it.

If you're adding a handle, place a 10-inch piece of ribbon for the handle and pin it in place, making sure the head of the pin is on the outside. Then, layer the second pillow square on top, with the right side facing down, and pin it in place.

Sewing the fabric

Now that you have your materials and your fabric is cut, it's time to start sewing!

First, stack your fabric squares with the right sides together. Place the second square on top of the first, with the right side facing down. Secure the edges with pins.

Next, sew three of the edges with a 1/4-inch seam allowance. You can use a sewing machine or sew by hand with a straight stitch and matching thread. If you don't know how to sew, you can also secure the edges with hot glue or fabric glue and allow it to dry before proceeding.

Once the three edges are sewn, trim the corners to reduce bulk and achieve a nicer finish. Cut as close to the stitching as possible without cutting the thread itself. Be sure to clip the corners along the edge you've left open, as this will make it easier to sew shut later.

Now, turn the pillow right side out. Flip the corners into the pillow and then pull them out through the opening. Use a blunt, pointy object like a knitting needle or pencil to push the corners out further.

Stuffing the Cushion

Polyester stuffing is recommended for the best results, but you can also use other types of filling, such as foam or a plain ring pillow. Push the stuffing into the pillow, being careful not to let it stick out.

Closing the Cushion

Fold the raw edges of the opening in by 1/4 inch and secure them with sewing pins. Hand sew the opening shut with a ladder stitch and then remove the pins. Alternatively, you can use hot glue or fabric glue to close the opening, working in 1-inch sections at a time.

Stuffing the cushion

Now that you have sewn your ring bearer cushion cover, it's time to stuff it!

The first step is to flip the cushion cover right side out. You can use a knitting needle or pencil to push out the corners for a neat finish.

Next, gather your stuffing. Poly-fil is a popular choice for ring bearer cushions, but you can also use foam or a plain ring pillow. Start stuffing the cushion until it reaches your desired size and firmness. Be sure to push the stuffing into the corners.

Once you are happy with the amount of stuffing, it's time to close the opening. Fold the raw edges of the opening inwards by about a quarter of an inch and secure them with pins. You can then hand-sew the opening shut with a ladder stitch. Alternatively, you can use hot glue or fabric glue to close the opening. Work in small sections, about an inch at a time, and hold or clip each section until the glue dries.

Decorating the cushion

Now that your pillow is stuffed and sewn, it's time to decorate!

A classic way to decorate your ring bearer cushion is to tie a ribbon into a bow in the centre of the pillow. You can use a 1/16 or 1/8-inch ribbon for a fancier pillow. First, attach a string to a ribbon with a slip knot. Position the loop behind the ribbon and pull the ends of the string to make a knot. Slide the knot across the ribbon until it is centred. Then, form the ribbon into a bow by folding the left and right ends into loops, crossing the left loop over the right, and threading it through the gap. Tug on the loops to tighten the bow. Position the bow in the middle of the pillow and sew or glue it on. Trim and singe the ribbon and string to your desired length.

You can also tie a ribbon around the pillow, adding the rings and then tying the ribbon into a bow. This is a simple yet effective way to decorate your cushion.

If you want to add a symbolic charm, you could sew a horseshoe, heart, or another meaningful item to the centre of the pillow under the bow.

For a more lavish look, you could add corded trim and tassels. Simply hot glue thin cording to the seams of your pillow and make tassels using matching embroidery thread. Sew these to the corners of the pillow.

If you want to create a tufted look, sew a few stitches through the centre of the pillow. Thread a needle and push it through the front of the pillow and out the back. Move the needle over 1/8 to 1/4 inch, then push it from the back and out the front. Do this one more time to create an 'X'. Knot and cut the thread, then cover the 'X' with a ribbon bow.

For a unique touch, you could add a lace overlay to your cushion. Cut a square of lace fabric and sew it to the right side of one of your fabric squares before assembling the pillow.

You could also add ruffled trims, pinning and sewing the trim to the right side of one of your fabric squares before assembling the pillow.

Finally, you could add a handle to your cushion. Cut a 10-inch piece of ribbon and pin it in place, then layer your second fabric square on top and sew the pieces together, leaving a 4-inch opening so that the pillow can be turned right side out.

Frequently asked questions