How to create a custom pillow online with my friends at Pillow Punk!
Custom pillows are a designer’s secret weapon in leveling up almost any living space. These little features pack a big design punch and complete your design like icing on a cake. I'm going to walk you through how to create your own custom pillow along with how to get it made and into your home.
Quantity
If you ask a Designer, there are never too many pillows! For the rest of the population, you can follow these guidelines.
A small apartment sofa or loveseat can accommodate three pillows while a larger sofa can handle as many as five. Whatever you choose, stay with an odd number of pillows for the best visual balance. Think about your lifestyle to determine what’s the best fit for your space and no matter how many you choose, have a basket nearby to toss them to keep them from landing on the floor.
Shape and size & pillow insert size
Next, let’s talk about size and scale. The back pillow should be a few inches below of the sofa back, typically 22” - 26” square. The second pillow should layer in front of the back pillow and be 2-4” smaller. These sizes are probably much larger than you currently have and the reason is to make a larger statement and make the pillows more functional. A 26” square pillow can double as a floor pillow or extra cushion for sitting on the floor. Larger pillows also balance out your sofa length, so be sure to scale appropriately if you are working with a loveseat or smaller apartment sofa. I suggest 22” back pillows for loveseats and 26” pillows for larger sofas.
For your final pillow (number 3 or 5 depending on the size of your sofa), change up the shape to add variety and visual interest. Look for a rectangle, circle or even a ball shaped pillow, which will be the smallest of your pillow vignette.
Pillow inserts; how to pick the right stuffing & size
Do you have the right stuff? To make the most of your investment, make sure you have zipper closures on your pillows, allowing you to remove and wash them as needed.
My number one choice for pillow inserts is a 90% feather 10% down pillow for the best density from the feathers and “rebound” from the down. If you have anyone with allergies, I suggest getting a allergen cover or purchasing vs. going with synthetic down as it’s never quite as dense and has a difficult time holding the elusive karate “chop” that all decorations strive to accomplish. Down Inc. is our primary resource for all pillows due to the variety of size and shape as well as their ethically sourced, organic products.
When ordering your insert, size up by 2” to allow for maximum fullness. If you size the insert the same as the cover with a 90% down fill you will end up with a squishy and lumpy pillow! Trust me, get the larger size and carefully smush it into the cover, extending it into all four corners. Then karate chop your pillows to create the perfect pillow pleat down the center and voila…. you have DIY’ed a custom designer pillow! Congratulations!
Construction Details
Pillow Punk calls them "corners" but it's really how your pillow is put together; there are 3 options.
Knife Edge: A knife edge pillow is one with a seam without a decorative finish. It tapers sharp, crisp edges and corners, creating a very simple, clean, polished look.
Boxed Edge: The Shirt - Box pillow.
Turkish Edge: The In-Between Pillow....Turkish edge pillows have a pleating detail on the corners of a pillow that make it more boxy look without making a true "Box".
Fabric selection: mixing & matching fabric patterns, colors and decorative details
Pillow fabrics allow you the freedom explore your style and express your personality. They are less commitment than an upholstered piece of furniture (sofas and lounge chairs), cost less and are easy to change out by season or as your style evolves.
When selecting colors, your largest back pillow should be easily seperated from the back cushion fabric and the smaller pillow in front. Look for multi-color fabrics that allow the most flexibility for mixing and matching with other decor. If you have a lighter sofa, you’ll want a darker ground on your base pillow. If you have a darker sofa, you’ll want the opposite. You can increase your design flexibility by placing different fabrics on each side of your pillow.
Consider lifestyle, pets, kids an any other functional requirements that will make your home easy maintenance. There are many upholstery fabrics that are environmentally friendly, incorporate recycled content and stain resistent to kids messy snacks and craft projects. Perrenial fabrics are almost bullet proof, you can even clean them with bleach! Anna Elizabeth, a Greenhouse Fabrics Brand, incorporates recycled content in their polyester textiles and are engineered for durability and easy care. These performance fabrics have a natural-looking style and are eco-friendly.
Edge Details & Trims
There are three options for custom pillow's edge details.
Self welt - a piped edge around the pillow created with the same fabric as the pillow faces.
Contrasting Welt - a piped edge around the pillow in a contrasting fabric.
Select the self or contrasting welt if you are using fabric for the pillow edge trim. If you are using a cord, trim or tape, select "no piping" and go to the "Additional Trims" section to add your decorative trim.
