How to make a fabric panel (square)

1. Materials & tools

Materials (a 40 × 40 cm cushion cover)

• Fabric — your finished size plus seam allowance
• For a cushion cover: a cushion insert

Tools

• Sewing machine (or needle and thread)
• Fabric marker or pencil
• Ruler and scissors
• Iron
• Pins or clips

2. Make the pattern (auto-generated in Katagami)

With the Katagami pattern tool, you just enter the finished size and it drafts a seam-allowance-included pattern, tiled to print at actual size on Letter or A4.

1. Open the tool
   Open the pattern tool and choose “Bags” → “Fabric panel” from the tabs at the top.
2. Enter the size
   Enter the finished width and height. Turn on "left edge on the fold" to cut symmetrically from folded fabric.
3. Set the seam allowance
   Use the slider at the bottom (beginners: 1.0–1.5 cm / about 3/8–5/8 in).
4. Print
   Press “Print (actual size)”, then in the print dialog set Scale = 100% and turn “Fit to page” OFF. Check the 50 mm calibration box on the first guide sheet with a ruler.

3. Cutting the fabric

1. Trace the pattern
   Trace the cut line (outer solid) and seam line (inner dashed) onto the wrong side; align the grain with the grain line.
2. Cut the pieces
   Cut as many as you need. For an envelope cushion, cut one front plus a back with extra overlap.
3. Finish the edges
   Zigzag or overlock the seam edges if the fabric frays.

4. Sewing

Envelope cushion cover

1. Split the back into two pieces; on each, hem the opening edge with a double fold.
2. Lay the front right side up, then layer the two back pieces on top right sides together so their openings overlap at the centre.
3. Sew all four sides at the seam allowance.
4. Trim the corners diagonally and turn right side out through the opening.
5. Shape it, insert the cushion through the centre opening, and you are done.

5. Tips & variations

• Snug fit: make a cushion cover 1–2 cm smaller than the insert for a plump finish.
• Match the print: with checks or stripes, adjust the cutting position so front and back line up.
• So versatile: the same square becomes a bag, pouch, mat or cover depending on how you sew it.