Different Types of Pillow Forms
You can now purchase pillow forms in many different sizes and shapes, which is great news for the seasoned sewer or even less crafty people who just want to make a few custom pillows for their living room couch. If you are a beginner, you may want to start off with some square pillow forms for your first project, since they are pretty easy to work with. Square pillow forms can be found in craft stores and through online retailers. Some of the most common sizes for decorative pillows are 16 by 16 inches and 20 by 20 inches. Euro pillows measuring 26 by 26 inches are also gaining in popularity all over the world. Other shapes that are available are rectangular, bolster and round pillow forms.
In addition to choosing a shape for your pillow insert, you should also decide what type of filling is best suited for your project. This depends upon how the pillow will be used. If comfort is important, then you should look at pillow forms that have down or a combination of down and feathers. Down alternative pillow forms would also be appropriate. If the pillow is merely for decorative purposes and you want an overstuffed look, go with foam or another man-made material that will keep its shape. Synthetic materials are also a good choice if you are concerned about someone being allergic to feathers.
Pillow forms can be purchased at craft stores, discount stores and at higher end stores such as Pottery Barn. You can also purchase pillow covers if you are not interested in making them yourself. While it may seem cheaper to just purchase all in one decorative pillows, having pillows with inserts and removable covers has some advantages. The cover can be taken of and cleaned easily and you can switch your covers with the seasons or when you feel like redecorating. More and more people are discovering the benefits of decorating with pillow forms and covers.