Bench Cushions
Why Custom Handmade Cushions Have a ±0.5″ Size Tolerance (and How to Order for a Perfect Fit)
Every Fabrica Kraft cushion is cut and sewn by hand to your measurements, so each finished piece lands within ±0.5″ of the size you order. Here is why that tolerance exists, how it works, and how to size your order when you need zero ove...
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When you order a custom cushion from Fabrica Kraft, it isn't pulled off a shelf. The foam is cut to your measurements, the fabric is cut by hand, and the cover is sewn around that foam by one of our makers. That's what gives you a cushion made for your bench, window seat or chaise, and it's also why every handmade piece carries a small size tolerance.
Our finished cushions are made to within ±0.5″ of the size you order. Below we explain where that half inch comes from, exactly how we apply it, and how to plan your sizes when the fit really matters.
Why handmade cushions can't be accurate to the millimeter
A cushion is soft, and soft materials move. A few things add up:
- Foam is flexible. Foam compresses slightly under the cutting blade and relaxes afterward, so a cut edge is never as rigid as a piece of wood or metal.
- Fabric is woven. Outdoor and upholstery fabrics have a little natural give, and different fabrics stretch differently. A thick canvas behaves differently from a velvet or a marine vinyl.
- Seams and piping add a little. A cover is measured seam to seam, and details like piping (welting) add a small amount at the edges.
- Filling the cover. When foam is fitted into a snug cover, the corners and sides settle and round off slightly, which can change the measured size a touch.
None of this is a flaw. It's the nature of a sewn, upholstered product, and it's the same across the custom cushion industry. Stating a clear tolerance up front simply means you know what to expect before you order.
How our ±0.5″ tolerance works
- It's centered on the size you order. We aim for your exact dimensions. The finished cushion can land up to 0.5″ over or up to 0.5″ under in length and depth.
- We don't secretly resize your order. Your spec sheet shows the dimensions you ordered, and that's the size our team works to. We don't trim or add an allowance on your behalf.
- Your specs are checked before production. Every new order is reviewed by our customer experience team before it goes to the cutting table, so if something in your measurements looks unusual, we'll reach out first.
- If we miss the tolerance, we remake it. If a cushion we made is more than 0.5″ off the size you ordered, we'll remake it free of charge. Because every piece is made to your measurements, sizes that were measured or entered incorrectly can't be returned or exchanged, so it's worth taking a few minutes to double-check before you order.
When the fit really matters: plan for the tolerance
For most chairs, loungers and outdoor seating, a quarter or half inch either way makes no visible difference. But for built-in benches, window seats, boxed-in nooks, and L-shaped banquettes, where the cushion sits between walls or must not hang over the front edge, it's smart to plan for the tolerance.
The simple rule: if you can't have any overhang, order each cushion 0.5″ smaller than the space in every direction that matters. That way, even if a cushion lands at the top of the tolerance, it still fits inside your space.
When you're placing several cushions side by side in one run, remember that the tolerance applies to each cushion. Two cushions that each come out 0.5″ long add up to 1″ across the run, so size each one to leave that room.
Worked example: an L-shaped built-in bench
Say your bench has:
- A long side of 148.5″ × 16.25″ deep
- A short side of 72.5″ × 16″ deep that runs into the back corner
The short-side cushion covers the corner, which leaves 148.5″ − 16″ = 132.5″ of open space on the long side, split into two cushions.
| Cushion | Space available | Sized exactly to the space | Sized for zero overhang |
|---|---|---|---|
| Long side (×2) | 132.5″ run × 16.25″ deep | 66″ × 16″ could finish up to 133″ total × 16.5″ deep (overhang possible) | 65.75″ × 15.75″ each: worst case 132.5″ total × 16.25″ deep |
| Short side + corner (×1) | 72.5″ × 16″ deep | 72″ × 15.75″ could finish up to 72.5″ × 16.25″ deep (slight overhang possible) | 72″ × 15.5″: worst case 72.5″ × 16″ deep |
The trade-off is that, if the cushions land at the small end of the tolerance, you may see a small gap: up to about 1″ on a single cushion, and up to about 2″ across a run of two. Most customers find a small gap far less noticeable than an edge that hangs over, but it's your choice. If you'd rather have a snugger look and can live with a possible slight overhang, order closer to the full size.
Measuring tips for a great fit
- Measure the seat surface, not the frame. Measure where the cushion will actually sit, from wall to wall or edge to edge.
- Measure in more than one place. Built-ins and walls are rarely perfectly square. Measure the depth at both ends and in the middle, and use the smallest number.
- Measure to the nearest 1/8″ or 1/4″ with a metal tape, and write everything down before you start building your order.
- Think about thickness. Thicker cushions round off a little more at the edges, which slightly reduces how much they cover on top.
- Check for obstacles. Hinged lids, window frames, trim and outlets can all affect where a cushion needs to stop.
- For irregular shapes, send a template. If your seat isn't a simple rectangle, a paper template is the most reliable way to get it right.
Still not sure? Ask us before you order
We're happy to look over your measurements before you place your order. Email us at care@fabricakraft.com with your space measurements and the cushion sizes you're planning, and we'll help you settle on the right numbers. A few minutes of planning is all it takes to get cushions that look like they were built with your bench.
