"Moroccan cushion" usually means one of two very different things: a cactus silk cover for a sofa, or a large floor cushion built to be sat on. They're made from different materials for different jobs, so it's worth knowing which one you actually need before buying.
Cactus silk (sabra) cushion covers
Cactus silk, known locally as sabra, is woven from the fibre of the agave plant rather than an animal or synthetic silk — the name comes from its silk-like sheen, not the material itself. It's traditionally handwoven in Morocco, and the fibre catches the light differently depending on the angle, which is why these covers look like they change shade slightly as you move around a room.
Ours come in two tiers: the standard cactus silk cushion cover for everyday styling, and the luxury sabra pillow, which uses a denser weave for a heavier drape. Each one is an individual piece rather than a mass-produced print, so patterns and colourways vary between covers even within the same style — worth knowing if you're ordering more than one and expecting an identical match.
Berber floor cushions
These are a different product entirely: large, structured cushions meant to be sat on directly, in the tradition of Moroccan floor seating rather than sofa styling. A Berber floor cushion works as extra seating for guests, a low coffee-table-side seat, or simply as a floor accent in a room with low furniture — they're built with a firmer fill than a sofa cushion, since they need to hold their shape under actual weight.
Mixing them on a sofa
Cactus silk covers are the easier of the two to layer: because each one is slightly different, three or four together in related tones look intentional rather than mismatched, which isn't true of most printed cushion covers. A common mistake is buying covers in one exact colourway expecting uniformity — with sabra, the texture and slight variation are the point, not a flaw.
Caring for cactus silk
Sabra shouldn't be machine washed — the fibre is more delicate than cotton or linen, and water can affect the sheen and cause the weave to lose tension. Spot clean marks with a barely damp cloth, keep it out of direct sun for long periods since the fibre can fade, and treat it more like a natural textile than an everyday washable cover.