upholstery samplers for floor cushions
 

My neighbor cleaned out her DM's house after her death (well, actually a year later) and gave me a stack of upholstery fabric samplers that the blocks are about 15" square. some are water resistant fabric and others are other upholstery stuff. I plan to use 4 front/4 back and make floor size cushions--thinking now to not put in sides to make them box cushions, but just sew down the sides and stuff. I long arm so have plenty of scrap bat that I could cut up and use to stuff. While I have enough samplers to make box cushions, I'm feeling too cheap to purchase foam cushion forms and too lazy to go to "trouble" of making the sides--do you think that will work or should I just do this right? I do have an upholstery sewing machine so can easily do what's needed.

I think it should work OK with left over batting. If nothing else, make one and see how it comes out. Remember to taper the corners. Makes a much more professional look.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIPW27MP5bQ

Test it out. If you need to make them cozier, you can always pick up a pack or two of Mountain Mist fiber fill at JAF with a coupon for dirt cheap. I almost never buy foam. My grandmother taught me to make my own pillow forms using cheesecloth when I was in elementary school & unless I'm in a hurry that's what I continue to do to this day. Just make sure that you cut the strips of batting both width & lengthwise (think oversized confetti) so it doesn't get knotted or bunched. Encasing it in muslin or cheesecloth or such first to make a pillow form usually helps me get more uniform results & more stuffing inside the pillow

For floor cushions I don't think I would box them. I would just sew the edges together, stuff and go. I think not having the sides 'boxed' gives a more relaxed feeling and isn't that what you're after with floor cushions?

thanks, all! I will just knife edge them and stuff with scrap batting--maybe get a sack or 2 of stuffing to keep it from bunching. And than you PaperPrincess on the advice of tapering the corners and the YouTube link--never knew that but sure explains how "store" pillows stay poofy without a foam form. I'll do that too.

MI watched the video about tapered corners but I don't understand. What is the effect we are trying to get here?

After looking at the pillows I have made, I know understand shaving off the corners a little. What can I say, I am a visual learner��

Those also make really nice grocery tote bags.

Thanks all for the good info. I learned a lot on making cushions that I never knew. This board never ceases to amaze me!

A knife edge pillow will distort a bit because the center is fatter (can't think of another word) than the edges resulting in wrinkles or floppy ears. Tapering the corners is an upholsterer's trick to keep the pillow full all the way to the corners.