Tips & Inspiration

Choose 45×45 cm if you want a handy, standard decorative cushion or you're just starting out with cross stitch, and choose 56×56 cm if you want a generous statement cushion with extra detail. That's the one-sentence answer to the question of which cushion cover size to pick. Want to know exactly why these two sizes feel so different, how much stitching time each involves and which size best suits your photo? Then let me walk you calmly through this guide. By the end you'll know for sure which size is right for you.

With the Custom Photo Cushion Cover kit you stitch your own photo in cross stitch onto a pre-printed, numbered fabric. So you don't have to count anything or draw it out yourself: you simply follow the numbers. The only real choice you make in advance is the size. And it's that size that determines how your project looks and how long you'll relax with it.

45×45 or 56×56 cushion: the quick comparison

Not sure about the decorative cushion size? This table puts the two sizes side by side, so you can see at a glance which one suits you best.

I deliberately keep the stitching time as an indication. How quickly you finish depends on your pace, how much you stitch at a time and how often you lean back and relax with a cup of tea. Think of the larger size mainly as this: more evenings enjoying the same project.

45×45 cm: the standard, handy choice

45×45 cm is the most common decorative cushion size. Chances are you already have cushions in this size on the sofa or bed at home. That makes this size practical: standard cushion inserts of 45×45 cm are sold separately and available everywhere, so you can fill your embroidered cover right away.

For the question "which cushion size fits most easily into my interior?" 45×45 is almost always the safe answer. The cushion doesn't stand out, fits in among other cushions and doesn't ask for extra space. It's pleasant at the embroidery table too: the surface is manageable, you make good progress and you have a finished result in your hands sooner. That's exactly what makes 45×45 so suitable when you're working with a custom photo kit for the first time.

56×56 cm: generous, with more detail

If you choose 56×56 cm, you're going for a generous, statement size. This cushion is clearly larger and immediately draws attention — ideal as a centrepiece on the sofa or as an eye-catcher on a reading chair. Because the embroidery area is larger, more stitches go onto the fabric. And more stitches means finer detail: faces, fur and soft transitions in your photo come out just that little bit richer.

There's an honest downside to that: more stitches take more time. Don't see it as a hurdle, but as a longer, relaxing embroidery project. For anyone who uses cross stitch precisely to unwind, that extra time is often exactly the point. For 56×56 cm too: standard cushion inserts in this size are sold separately, so your cushion ends up nicely filled and firm.

Which size suits which photo?

The choice between a 45×45 or 56×56 cushion depends not only on your interior, but also on your photo. A few guidelines I'll give you:

• Portrait or a single face: a close-up of one person or a single animal already looks wonderful at 45×45 cm. There's plenty of room for the face without the image getting too busy.
• Group photo or several people: if there are multiple people in the picture, you want each face to stay recognisable. In that case choose 56×56 cm, so that more stitches — and therefore more detail — remain per face.
• Pet with lots of fur or texture: a dog or cat with plenty of structure in its coat benefits from the larger size. Those extra stitches make the soft transitions more beautiful.
• Landscape or busy background: the more details in the photo, the more room you want to show them. Here too, 56×56 cm is the nicest choice.

Still unsure about your image? In our detailed guide on stitching a photo onto a cushion you'll read how to choose the loveliest photo to have embroidered.

Beginner or experienced: where do you start?

Are you a beginner? Then I'd recommend 45×45 cm. The size is less overwhelming, you keep an easy overview and you see results quickly — and that's exactly what keeps cross stitch fun and motivating. Because the fabric is pre-printed and numbered, you don't have to count anything; you simply follow the colours next to the numbers. That way you build up confidence calmly with a handy first project.

Have you embroidered before, or do you actually want the challenge of more detail? Then 56×56 cm is the nice step up. You get a larger, richer image and a longer project to enjoy. In short: 45×45 to get started comfortably, 56×56 if you deliberately go for more detail and a larger format.

Frequently asked questions about choosing the cushion cover size

Which cushion cover size should I choose?

Choose 45×45 cm if you want a handy, standard decorative cushion or you're just starting out with cross stitch. Choose 56×56 cm if you want a generous statement cushion with more detail or already have experience. For most interiors and beginners, 45×45 cm is the safest choice.

What is the difference between 45×45 and 56×56 cm?

56×56 cm is larger and has more stitches, so your photo appears with more detail and at a larger size. That comes with a bit more stitching time. 45×45 cm is more compact, finished sooner and matches the most common decorative cushions.

Which size is best for a beginner?

45×45 cm is the most suitable for beginners. The size is less overwhelming, you keep an easy overview and you have a beautiful result in your hands sooner. That makes your first custom photo project manageable and enjoyable.

Can I use a standard cushion insert?

Yes. Both 45×45 cm and 56×56 cm are common decorative cushion sizes, so you can find a separate cushion insert in the same size anywhere. That way your embroidered cover ends up nicely filled and firm.

What's in the kit?

Both sizes are complete physical kits. You receive the pre-printed, numbered cushion cover, pre-sorted thread, the pattern, a manual, 4 needles, a seam ripper, a thimble and a needle threader. So you don't have to buy anything extra to get started.

Ready to choose?

Do you know which size suits you? Then take a look at the Custom Photo Cushion Cover kit and turn your favourite photo into an embroidered cushion you'll want to keep on your sofa for years. Shipping is free wherever you live, with no minimum order, and your kit is made and sent after your photo is approved — you'll see the exact delivery time at checkout. Looking for a gift idea instead? Get inspired by our tips on an embroidered photo cushion as a gift.