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Waves Bolster Cushion | Canadian Smocking Sewing Pattern

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Learn Canadian smocking as you create Debbie Shore's bolster cushion sewing pattern.

This bolster cushion uses a pattern called Waves. This is one of my favourite smocking designs!

Canadian smocking involves marking, pinching and hand-sewing fabric to create pattern and texture in a project. It is quite different in appearance to the type of smocking seen on little girls’ dresses, which is created by first pleating and then embroidering fabric, as Canadian smocking is much more about the texture and no embroidery is required. Most commonly used in cushion covers and very popular in the 1950s and ‘60s (although it has existed since at least the 18th century) it is a technique for which instructions are not commonly available. I’ve taken many months to research different designs and practised on many fabrics, to bring the projects up to date, with interesting designs yet simple instructions.

The process begins with a simple grid. I prefer to use a 1in (2.5cm) quilters grid on the wrong side of my fabric to mark the lines needed to smock. This is a fusible interfacing, which can also add a bit of stability to finer fabrics. For the fabric, you’ll find that plains work well as the design stands out more than on patterned fabrics. I’ve used a canvas cotton for this project, but plush fabric, such as velour, works well too.

Although time-consuming, this smocking design is well worth the time and effort! I prefer the look of the waves using a ½in (1.25cm) grid but on a larger project you may prefer a 1in (2.5cm) grid. My ½in (1.25cm) design is perfect for smaller projects such as cosmetic bags and pouches but is quite striking on cushion covers too.

This small bolster cushion works well on dining chairs or each side of an armchair to add a little stylish support. It would also look impressive in a display of different sized smocked cushions. If you wish to adapt the pattern to fit a specific cushion pad, note that the fabric reduces by approx. half horizontally and approx. a third vertically. Since this piece ends up quite square, you could use it to make a cover for a 12in (30.5cm) square cushion pad instead of the bolster, if you prefer.

Note: use approx. a ¾in (2cm) seam allowance.

Finished size: this will cover a 12 x 12¼ x 3½in (30.5 x 31 x 9cm) bolster cushion pad.

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You will need:

Equipment

• Sewing machine with a standard foot and a zipper foot 
• Hand sewing needle 
• Ballpoint pen and ruler (if not using quilters grid interfacing) 

Materials

• 12 x 12¼ x 3½in (30.5 x 31 x 9cm) bolster cushion pad  
• 44 x 24in (112 x 61cm) of fabric, preferably plain  
• 30in (76cm) of 1/8in (3mm) covered piping cord: I used pre-made piping 
• 40in (101.5cm) of ½in (1.25cm) wide ribbon 
• Sewing thread to match your fabric 
• Optional: 36 x 24in (91.5 x 61cm) of quilters grid  

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