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Cooperative Extension Work

UNIVERSITY OF HAW AII in
COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION SERV.
USDA COOPER AT I NG Agriculture and Home Econo1uics HONOLULU, H~IIAI I
State of Hawaii
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Home Economics Circular No. 290 February,
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MAKE A MODERN ZABUTON

Eleanor Matsumoto, Asst. County Home Dem. Agent
Jeanne H. Fujii, Former Asst. County Home Dem. Agent

The Japanese 11 zabuton 11 (floor cushion) or

"suwari buton 11 (sitting cushion) as it is sometimes
called has become quite popular in contempol"e.ry
interior decorating. It adds not only color and
interest to our homes but also comfort for T. V.
viewers.

The 11 zabuton 11 was known in early Japan as "shitone" and was a circular cushion
used by aristocratic families. At that time it was woven flat and round from stems
of 11 gama 11 (cattail or bullrush). The "shitone 0 was also used in the Zen training
(meditation) when an individual had to sit for many hours and days with his legs
folded under him. Later it was made into a square cushion with a cloth cover and
cotton or feather filling. Probably it was then that it was named "zabuton. 11

The "zabuton" is made in large and small sizes. In Japanese homes the large
ones are kept for the use of guests and the smaller ones are used by members of the
family. Like the custom practiced in some western homes of reserving a particular
chair for a certain member of the family, particular zabutons in some homes are
assigned to certain members in the family.

Zabutons are made for both sununer and winter use. These differ in thickness,
color and design, and cover fabric. About once a year the covers are taken off to
be washed and have the filling fluffed.

The zabuton is made commercially in Hawaii and is BJ.so imported from Japan.
But it is so simple to make that, if you can handle a needle and thread or a
sewing machine, you can make one yourself in a jiffy.

Choose fabrics of colors, designs and textures that coordinate with other
furnishings in your home. Our experience shows that fabrics with a wrinklP.
res i stant finish are especially good for these cushions. Othe·r ::,, ,:.:.table fabrics
are plain, printed or striped cottons and silks; drapery and UJ..,!Y i~ etery fa·o r ics;
Japanese printed cottons, plain linens or pure silks, (meisen or t-1.be' yuzen) or
rayon and cotton mixtures (spun mosu); taffeta and satin. When pl&stics are uaed,
however, leave off the tufting.

THE MODERN "ZABUTON", for which the instructions are given in this leaflet, is
Ill8.de with an inside muslin case for the cotton so that the outside cover may be
more easily removed and washed.
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Here are the supplies that you will need to .make a modern zabuton with the
inside muslin case:

1 square of fabric for the cover. A 36-inch square of fabric will make
a large zabuton 25 inches s9.uare. A 28-inch square of fabric will
make a small zabuton 18 incnes square.
1 square of unbleached muslin - the same size as the cover fabric.
3-4 sheets of zabuton cotton. One six-pound bundle of zabuton cotton
contains 10 sheets - enough for two to three zabutons.
Thread to match cover fabric.
Embroidery thread or special zabuton tufting thread.

Here are the steps in making a zabuton:

Step I: Cut and Sew Case and Cover

a. Cut fabric squares. (Fig. 1)

b. Fold each square in half to fonn a rectan~le and
stitch on the 18-inch edges (A). Make a 2 -inch
seam on the muslin case and a 3/4-inch seam on
the cover. This will make the finished cushion
look "full." (Fig. 2)

r
IA AI
I

1
18"
FA8RIC
J, ' FOLD
36n
FIGURE 2
I
l '< 36n
FIGURE 1
I
I
c. Bring the two seam ends (A) together at the center. (Fig. 3)
d. Pin and sew unstitched edges (B) leaving a 20-inch opening
in the center. (Fig. 4)

- - - - - - - - -/
/
/
"'
' /
'

'

FIGURE 3 FIGURE 4
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Step II: Stufi'ing

a. Lay case on a table with the seams do,m on the table.

(Fig. 5)
b. Tear the first layer of cotton approximately 10 inches
larger than the case on all four sides. Place it on the
case. Put more layers of cotton, slightly larger than
the case, on the first layer for the desired thickness.
Usually 5-7 layers ~are used. (Fig. 6)

TOP
( INSIDE)

(
- .COTTON
t - ' ..- ..____
,:=====::;;===;:=:::====::::;:-_
__ _ ~ . ·- r--.::::::::---
· COVER
18T LAYER ",,I SEAM

FIGURE 6
FIGURE 5

c. Fold the extra 10-inches of the first layer of cotton over

the sides and top of the other layers of cotton. (Fig. 7)
Tri1n the cotton from the corners before folding it up to
get even thickness at the corners.
d. Tack all corners of the cotton to the corners of the case.
Use embroidery thread or zabuton thread with no knot or
back stitch at beginning and end.
1) Start about 3 inches f rom the corner on the fold of the
case and make large running stitches to the corner.
2) Take the needle and thread between the cotton and the
case about 3 inches in from the corner. Bring the
needle straight up through all the layers of cotton.
3) Carry the thread down over the cotton and insert the
needle in the corner of the case. Continue nmning
stitches on the fold for 3 more inches. (Fig. 8)
(CENTER)

,---.,._-co_r_TO_N-__
(CROSS SECTION}
23--
---,
-

--- - --25>-
. ._ _ _ _ - - - ---·--
" COVER
FIGURE 7

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e. Roll the corners of the case and cotton to the
center. .P ull the opening of the cover, which
is
on the bottom, over the cotton and at the
iiame time push the cotton into the cover.
(Fig. 9)
f. Pull cotton to the corners of the cover. To
do this, draw the two ends of the running
stitch thread out at each corner; pull and
tie securely. (Fig. 10)
FIGURE 9 g. Pin and hand stitch to close the opening.
h. Place cushion on the cover and turn the
muslin cushion into it in the same way as
you did in step "e" above. Blind stitch
the opening as you did in step "g" •

Step III: Finishing

a. Tuft zabuton through the center and in four
corners, approximately half way from the
center. (Fig. 11)
b. Make corner "ears" if desired: Push in each
corner about 3 inches and tack it down to the
seamed side of the zabuton using embroidery
pr zabuto~ thre~d. (Fig. 12) Tie a knot
and cut t~ thread about 2 inches from the
FIGURE 10 knot to make a little tassel.

OUTSIDE
(TOP) OUTSIDE
(TOP)
\

FIGURE 12

Fl TURE 11
AgricG:
This circular was prepared at the request of the
iMensi:n Servi]Jor our, use.

]fa~ ~ e ~ e v e r ~ ~
Home Demonstration Supervisor

Acknowledgments:
Illustrations by Ralph Okumoto - Ass't County Agent, South Oahu
Introductory Information - Yukuo Uyehara, Associate Prof. of Asiatic Language,
University of Hawaii