Rhinestones And Other Blingy Items
Want to make your room look super luxurious? It doesnt hurt to feature pompous designs every now and then. Even throw pillows can make use of bling items like rhinestones for that extra oomph.
This elegant velvety throw pillow cover is topped off with a luxurious rhinestone. They are perfect as gift items. There are 8 different options to choose from.
Are There Any Types Of Fabric That Pillows Are Made Of
Generally speaking, pillows should be made of one type of natural fiber, such as cotton, linen, or silk. However, you may find that certain pillows come in several different types of fabric such as a mix of cotton and silk, a mix of cotton and polyester, etc. and Some pillows come with a variety of fabrics in one cover.
What Fabric Is Best For Throw Pillows
Pillow covers come in just about any fabric however, the most popular and most durable pillow fabrics are cotton and linen. Common fabrics for accent pillows include velvet, suede, wool, and faux fur.
When choosing pillows, really think about how youll use them. Will they be purely for decorative purposes or will your family snuggle with the pillows and lounge on them? The PURPOSE of your throw pillows will determine the fabric you should choose.
If you plan to lounge and lay on your pillows, I recommend cotton covers or another fabric that is easy to clean . If the pillows will be used only for decorative purposes, you can choose just about any fabric!
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Cutting Your Fabric Pieces
Envelope-style pillows are my go-to sewing technique. They are the easiest way to quickly sew a pillow and require no extra notions such as zippers or buttons. An envelope pillow cover is simple to remove and wash. It should be one of the first pillows you tackle they are a super easy sewing project.
HOW TO MAKE AN ENVELOPE PILLOW COVER< This tutorial outlines the details of cutting and sewing envelope-style pillows so check that out if this is new to you! If you prefer a different style pillow, Ill talk about that a bit later.
Choose your pillow size and hence, the amount of fabric youll need. As long as your pillow is not larger than 22 on the short side, you will be able to get both the front and back cover from one strip of fabric. Order the length of fabric, then, according to the long edge of the pillow. Be sure to add a little bit of wiggle room.
I almost always plan my pillow cover pieces to be the same dimensions as my square pillow insert size i.e., 18×18 square fabric pieces for an 18 pillow. With a 1/4-1/2 inch seam allowance, Ive found that this makes a cover that the pillow insert fits plumply into no more sagging pillow covers!
- For a zippered pillow cover, you simply need two square pieces of fabric one for the front of the pillow and one for the back of the pillow.
- An envelope-style pillow requires one square for the front piece and two smaller pieces of fabric that are overlapped to form the back piece.
Selecting Fabric For Throw Pillows
Add something new to your decor with throw pillows that make it easy to add color, pattern, and even texture to your current interior design. Use the following tips to help you navigate the fabric store in San Francisco so you can find exactly what you need to enhance your home decor:
One of the best ways to choose a fabric is to look at the room around it. You want a material that complements other colors and patterns in the room without overpowering them. Hold up some fabric samples near your sofa to see which ones look the best with your current interior design. You might even want to consider adding a few different pillows so you can incorporate a few kinds of fabric into the rooms decor.
It might be helpful to bring a picture of your living room and your sofa when you go to the fabric store to make it easier to choose something that really works in your space. Use your upholstery fabric to enhance your home by choosing a style that really works with your space.
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What Type Of Fabric Should You Buy
Fabric type is a matter of preference and budget. Lets begin with terminology again.
Quiltingfabric generally a cotton or cotton blend fabric intended for quilting. There is a dizzying amount of color and pattern choices in this category. Quilting fabrics usually feature smaller scale prints.
Homefabric This category is intended for curtains, pillow covers, and light upholstery . These fabrics are not recommended for traditional upholstery on sofas or armchairs. Home Decor fabrics come in solids, prints, and textures. Prints are usually medium or large scale, as compared to small prints on quilting fabrics.
UpholsteryFabric The thickest or heaviest of fabrics used for upholstery. These fabrics are the most durable.
I prefer making decorative pillows from Home Decor fabrics. I find quilting fabrics too thin, which leads to a sloppy pillow. I also feel like quilting fabric are thin enough to be see through and require lining to be used as a pillow front. However, I think quilting fabrics are fine for pillow backs. Upholstery fabric can be used for pillow covers, but it is generally more expensive and more difficult to sew, because of the weight or thickness of the fabric. Home Decor fabric is intended for pillow covers and comes in a great selection of prints.
Checkout the video tutorial on how to make two types of easy envelope pillow covers. I will show you the continuous fabric method and the separate pillow front method!
Choosing Throw Pillow Sizes For Couch
If you prefer to change your pillows often, I recommend that you stick to choosing pillow covers in standard square sizes . This allows you to easily switch out pillow covers and place them on pillow inserts that you already own. This saves money because you dont need to buy new inserts every time you replace your pillow covers.
Lumbar pillows are a little trickier to buy in a standard size. Retailers have various sizes of lumbar pillows, so there isnt as much of a standard. However, some sizes can be found more often .
In general, just a few large pillows and a complimentary lumbar pillow looks cleaner and less cluttered than several small pillows on a couch.
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Designer Fabric & Pillow Look
Sometimes, all you need is the inspiration from the right designer fabric! You can then be on the lookout at your favorite retail stores for similar vibes. For example, this designer pillow has been a long-time favorite and when I saw this one at Pottery Barn, I immediately snatched it up for a fraction of the price! It gives me virtually the same look! My favorite stores to look for designer look for less pillows :
I especially love when I can find a pillow or cover with a zipper so I can add my own insert! By simply swapping out the insert on a more cost-effective pillow cover option, you can instantly get a more designer look!
First Lets Talk About Why I Dont Shop Fabric By The Yard Any More:
Fabric by the yard is the most traditional way to source home decor fabrics. It is my go-to source in terms of buying fabric to make clothes, but not so much for home decor purposes. Heres the main reasons I dont shop fabric by yard for DIY pillow projects:
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The Best Fabrics For Throw Pillows
You can successfully use a variety of fabrics with throw pillows. However, to make the most out of the fabric and the pillow, you should be meticulous with your choice. This quick guide will help you find the best fabrics for throw pillows to put on display.
The best types of throw pillow fabrics are the ones that serve a purpose to your overall interior design choices. It doesnt matter how nice a pillow is if it stands out like a sore thumb, its going to be a detriment to the room its in.
This doesnt mean you cant have a contrasting element in your pillow fabric, such as black pillows on a beige couch, but thats because contrast can make pillows and the furniture stand out instead of blending into one another. The difference between this and randomly choosing any throw pillow is that in the former situation, the fabric serves a very specific purpose.
Throw pillow fabrics such as cotton, velvet, wool, faux leather, and linen can all make great additions to the space, depending on what look youre going for. If you look at our selection of 22×22 throw pillow covers, youll see that even pillows of the same fabric and texture can come in a diverse array of colors. Some throw pillows sport solid shades of olive green, blue, and white, while others display unique design patterns to entice guests.
How To Style Throw Pillows On Your Couch
Your throw pillows dont have to match! Pillows actually look more professional if they dont match perfectly. They should, however, coordinate with other colors and patterns in your room .
You can coordinate throw pillows by sticking to a cohesive color palette both with your pillows and your room in general. This can be either the same shade of a color or complementary shades .
My favorite way to style pillows is to anchor the look with one solid print , followed by varying patterns and varying sizes. Choosing different patterns in different scales helps to keep patterns from competing with one another.
SHOP THESE PILLOWS
If you arent a fan of pattern and you prefer neutrals, you can coordinate various textures and embellishments . Textures are just as fun as patterns! I tend to stick more with neutral textures as opposed to bold patterns in my own home.
If you enjoy patterns, vary the scale among your pillow patterns mix solid prints with large scale and small scale prints. Pair a busy pattern with a simple pattern just make sure you have at least one common color family to create a cohesive flow among the pillows.
Learn more about coordinating pillows in HOW TO MIX AND MATCH THROW PILLOWS.
Its really up to you if want to create a symmetrical look or an a-symmetrical look. Symmetrical would be matching pillows on either side of the couch, whereas a-symmetrical would be an odd number of pillows and varying patterns on opposite sides of the couch.
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Cotton + Steel Rifle Paper Co Canvas Amalfi Herb Garden Natural
This collection is filled with gorgeous colors and prints. The fabrics are quite interesting and unique. The fabric is medium weight and is a 50%/50% blend of cotton and linen. The fabric is durable, but also classy and elegant. It is also extremely versatile.
- Cotton and linen tend to be durable, but also look elegant and classy
- Can be used for throw pillows, window treatments, accessories like tote bags, or even apparel items
- Machine wash on gentle and tumble dry on low heat
How To Wash A Throw Pillow Insert In The Washing Machine
- Remove pillow sham, pillowcase, or cover from your pillow. These covers will be washed separately from the actual pillow and can be properly cared for according to our Tips for Cleaning Decorative Pillows section above.
- Pre-treat any pillow stains at this time by applying cleaning solution with a sponge.
- A front-loading washing machine with no agitator works best to wash pillow inserts. Use warm water on a delicate cycle and choose a mild detergent for best results. If you must use a washing machine with an agitator, carefully place the pillows on each side of the washing machine to balance the load and use a very gentle cycle.
- Once the pillow inserts are washed, hang them to dry in a well-ventilated area until they are dry about 75 percent dry.
When the pillows are almost dry, you can then fluff them in the dryer. It is best to do this using a no heat setting for the best results. Including a couple of dryer balls is also a great idea to help reshape the pillows and make them like new again.
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Types Of Throw Pillows: A Guide For Home Decor Lovers
Posted on – Last updated: May 6, 2021
Looking to add a few throw pillows to your living room, or perhaps bedroom? Before you start shopping, here’s a detailed guide about the various types of throw pillows, arranged by material, shape and size.
Disclosure: We may get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
% European Linen Oatmeal
Linen is an extremely durable fabric, but is also luxurious and elegant. It breathes well and is very versatile. This line of linen is premium quality, medium weight, and is 100% linen. The line comes in a wide variety of colors.
- Fairly budget friendly for premium quality fabric
- Perfect for throw pillows, window treatments, bedding, apparel items, and more
- Fabric can be machine washed to soften it or to maintain the body of the fabric, it can be dry cleaned
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Patterned Pillows Add Color To Transitional Living Room
Stylish patterned pillows lend color and personality to this neutral living room. A fiddle leaf fig tree brings the outdoors in, adding an organic touch to the sophisticated space.
Bria Hammel Interiors
Pillows add color, pattern and texture to a room. They soften hard edges of furniture and create a much warmer space. They can be elegant or just plain fun.
Pillow covers are a quick, easy and inexpensive sewing project. When shopping for fabric to make throw pillows, try fabric and upholstery stores, and look for fabrics that enhance the decor of your room.
Adding Piping To A Pillow Cover
Alrighty! On to piping!! Piping is the perfect touch for a professional-looking finish on your pillows!
On my quatrefoil-ish pillows, I sewed in some pre-made piping where the cording is jute. Here is a similar product. I really love the jute to add some natural textures and earthiness in the room.
If you take a look, you can see what they call lip which is the strip of material that gets sewn into the pillow seams and is attached to the cording.
Youll sew this in the same way as the pom pom trim use your zipper foot and move the needle over so that you can sew right up against the base of the cording youll only want the cording to show on the finished pillow, not the lip.
Now, youve sewn in some pre-made trims the pom pom and the jute cording look awesome! But what do you do when you cant find the perfect trim? You sew your own!
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Designer Fabric From Online Fabric Stores
Occasionally there will be a fabric I want that I just cant find at any of the various options above. One of my favorite options is . They offer fabrics that are typically only sold to the trade. The only caveat is that sometimes you do have to buy a minimum of two yards. Ive found that their prices are fair and Ive been very happy with the fabric Ive bought from them. Some of my favorite purchases from them include my Riad fabric , Betwixt fabric , and a few others.
I realize designer pillows and fabric may not be in everyones budgets. However, for those that have been on the hunt for a designer look, I hope this post is helpful and you find some decorative pillow options you love! Do you have any other great sources for designer throw pillows and fabric? If so, Id love to hear!
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How To Add Pom Pom Trim To A Pillow Cover
Gorgeous! Look at this totally custom and professional-looking pom pom trim on the finished pillow.
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