Creating A Wedding Ring Cushion: A Step-By-Step Guide

A ring cushion is a popular wedding tradition where the wedding rings rest on the pillow as the ring bearer carries them to the altar. Making your own ring cushion is a great way to bring a unique touch to your special day. This can be done by sewing or using a no-sew method. The process involves cutting and sewing or gluing fabric, stuffing the pillow, and adding a ribbon or string to tie the rings to the pillow. The fabric, ribbon, and stuffing can be chosen to match the wedding colours and theme.

Choosing the fabric

When choosing the fabric for your wedding ring cushion, it's important to consider the overall theme and colour scheme of your wedding. You can choose any fabric you like, such as satin, cotton, or burlap, and it can be as simple or as ornate as you like. If you're going for a rustic look, for example, you might opt for a heavier fabric like burlap, linen, or canvas. On the other hand, if you want something more elegant, you could choose satin or silk. Embroidered fabrics, lace overlays, and ruffled trims can also add a unique touch to your cushion.

Another thing to keep in mind is whether your fabric has a print. If so, make sure it complements your wedding theme. You'll also want to consider the size of your fabric squares. The standard size is around 7-8 inches, but you can make it larger or smaller as needed, just remember to add a seam allowance to the length and width of your fabric.

Ultimately, the choice of fabric is up to you and should reflect your personal style and the overall aesthetic of your wedding. Don't be afraid to get creative and experiment with different options!

Cutting the fabric

The first step in making a ring cushion is to cut your fabric. You will need two pieces of fabric for the back and front of the cushion. The size of the fabric squares will depend on the size of cushion you want to make. For a standard-sized cushion, cut your fabric into two 7.5-inch squares. If you want a bigger cushion, cut your fabric into 10-inch squares instead. You can also add a 1-inch border to the length and width of the fabric for a larger cushion.

Once you have cut your fabric to the desired size, you will need to prepare the fabric for sewing. This includes clipping or trimming the corners, ironing the fabric, and pinning the pieces together. For the no-sew method, you will need to glue the hems of the fabric before gluing the pieces together.

For a fancier pillow, you can add a lace overlay to the front piece of fabric before assembling the pillow. Cut a piece of lace fabric that is the same size as the front piece of fabric and sew it on with a 1/4-inch seam allowance. You can also use a strip of lace ribbon and sew the short ends down.

Now that you have cut and prepared your fabric, you are ready to start assembling your ring cushion!

Sewing the fabric

The first step is to select your fabric. You will need two squares of fabric, measuring 10 inches by 10 inches each. If you want to make a pillow of a different size, simply adjust the measurements accordingly, adding a 1/2-inch seam to the length and width. Choose a fabric that complements your wedding colour scheme. You can opt for satin, cotton, burlap, or any other material that suits your theme. If your chosen fabric has a print, ensure that it aligns with your wedding motif.

Once you have your fabric squares, stack them with their right sides together. Place one square with the right side facing up, and then place the other square on top, with the right side facing down. Secure the edges with pins to hold the fabric in place.

Now, it's time to sew the edges. Sew three of the four edges together, leaving one side open. You can use a sewing machine for a faster result, or sew by hand if you prefer. Use a straight stitch and select a thread colour that matches your fabric. If sewing isn't your forte, you can also secure the edges with hot glue or fabric glue. Just be sure to allow the glue to dry completely before proceeding to the next step.

Trimming the corners is optional but recommended. Carefully trim the corners, ensuring you don't cut through the thread. This step will reduce bulkiness and give your pillow a neater appearance. Don't forget to clip the corners along the edge you left open, as this will make it easier to sew shut later on.

Stuffing the cushion

Now that you have your fabric squares, it's time to stuff your ring cushion. Polyester stuffing is the best option, but you can also use foam or a blank ring pillow. You can also use a plain ring pillow, as long as it is the same size as your cushion.

For a no-sew pillow, use your fingers to push the stuffing into the pillow so that it does not get caught in the glue. Work on gluing 1 inch (2.5 cm) at a time. Press and hold each section until it dries before moving on to the next.

If you are using fabric glue, secure each 1-inch section with a clothespin before moving on to the next section. Remove the pins once the glue dries.

For a sewn pillow, push the stuffing into the pillow so that it does not stick out. Fold the raw edges of the opening in by 1⁄4 inch (0.64 cm), then secure them with sewing pins. Sew the opening shut with a ladder stitch, then remove the pins.

Now that your cushion is stuffed, you can attach a string to a ribbon with a slip knot. Choose a piece of ribbon and string that match your pillow. Fold the string in half to make a loop that is positioned behind the ribbon. Pull the ends of the string to make a knot around the ribbon, then tug on them to tighten the knot. Slide the knot across the ribbon until it is centred.

Decorating the cushion

Now for the fun part: decorating the cushion! There are many ways to decorate a ring cushion, and you can choose to decorate it as lavishly or as minimally as you like. Here are some ideas:

Ribbon

Tie a ribbon around the pillow, ensuring the pillow is centred in the ribbon. Pull the ends of the ribbon around the sides of the pillow and tie it into a knot at the front. Add the rings, then tie the ribbon into a bow. You can also use the ribbon to create a tufted look by sewing 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 (0.32 to 0.64 cm), then push it from the back and out the front. Repeat this one more time to create an "X". Cover the "X" in the front of the pillow with a ribbon bow.

Charms

Add a symbolic charm to the bow, such as a horseshoe for good luck or a heart for love. Sew it to the pillow under the bow, or slide it onto the ribbon before tying it into a bow.

Rosettes

Purchase miniature ribbon roses or rosettes and hot glue them to your pillow as desired. Adding them around the bow would be ideal.

Corded Trim and Tassels

For a lavish touch, hot glue thin cording to the seams of your pillow. Make some tassels using matching embroidery thread and sew them to the corners of the pillow. Silver and gold colours make great accents, but other colours can also be used.

Fabric

Experiment with different fabric choices. Try a unique fabric such as burlap, or a fancy embroidered fabric for the front with a plain fabric for the back. You can also add a lace overlay to the front piece of fabric before assembling the pillow. Cut a piece of lace fabric and sew it to the right side of the first fabric square.

Ruffled Trims

Pin a ruffled trim to the right side of one square fabric piece before assembling the pillow. Align the edges of the trim with the edges of the fabric. Pin and then sew together using a 1⁄8-inch (0.32 cm) seam allowance. Remove the pins and then sew the pillow as directed. Ruffled lace trims look more romantic, or you can use a fabric lace.

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