opinions needed on bench cushion
 

I was asked to make a cushion for a kitchen bench 36in wide by 72in long a box style with piping. The fabric purchased (very very expensive) to me has a 4 1/2 in mottled blue stripe alternating with a cream fabric of the same width. However, the stripe runs along the length not width of the fabric and the client wants the stripe on the width of the cushion which necessitates a seam as the fabric is only 54 in wide. Using 1/2 in seams as the pattern calls for will make the stripe at the seam 1 in less in width than the other stripes, I feel this will be very noticeable and also create a weakening of the fabric at the seam which is where people will be sitting. The fabric is 100% cotton as well. I am thinking of making a small rectangle of fabric using stripe fabric to show exactly what having one stripe down the middle that is an inch narrower than the others to show th client what she will have without cutting into the fabric she purchased....any help, suggestions, opinions are welcome...thanks

If you use a purchased pattern, the yardage requirements always say that you need extra to match prints, stripes or one way designs, so you hopefully have quite a bit of fabric to work with. I would center one length of fabric, then cut another length in half and have a small section on either side. i.e. two seams, not one in the center. It really should be easy to match the stripe so that the seam doesn't show. I learned about matching fabric patterns thru home dec & garment construction. Basically, take the large center section, fold back & press the half inch seam on both ends, then lay that on top of the other piece moving it back and forth until the pattern matches, then sew on the fold. This is one area where basting is a good idea.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0wJub8KMsA
Actually from the description of the fabric, I would make the seams fall on the edge of the cream stripe.

I would say the same. Avoid seams in the middle and if possible do equal piecing as far off center as possible. In similar situations, I do the same as PaperPrincess to match but rather than doing a regular seam, I sew on top almost to look like a flat felt seam - a double row of stitching. Make sense?

Thank you
 

Your suggestion makes perfect sense and I will consider that. I have worried over this project for over a week and so today I am off to my local quilt shop where the staff there has volunteered to "supervise" the cutting. I think I am somewhat intimidated in knowing the fabric was so expensive I don't want any mistakes...thanks

Thank you very much I watched the video and saved it. I am off to LQS today to do the cushion. Wish me luck!!lol