How to Get Started
Life as an Upholsterer
Why Custom Pillows? What's the Difference?
Now Hang in there for this one.
Let's ask a few questions here to start.
- What is the difference in quality between a custom or hand made pillow and a pillow you can find at Target, Walmart or Amazon?
- What is the difference in style?
- What are the sizing options?
- Are there hypoallergenic options?
- What material?
Take a walk with me through the isles of one of the stores listed above. You will notice there isn't a large number of options. The options that are available are on trend, inexpensive in both price point and quality, and more or less the same size. Maybe you find that perfect pillow for the sofa in your living room or to accent a chair in your home. But the chances are you will walk out of the store with the "perfect" pillow, only to realize it's all wrong when you get home. Maybe you make the trip back to the store to return it, but in all reality you're likely going to keep it for a while and replace it with something else that has the same negative unsatisfied effect on you.
Now you can check out their online section of pillows. There could be more color or size options, which is unlikely, but maybe. Keep in mind you cannot touch the fabric and you don't know how comfortable the pillow will actually be to lean back on or lay your head on for that late night movie. What kind of material is in the insert (inside of the pillow) made of? Most likely the pillow will be made from an artificial filler and not actual down feathers or a quality substitute. That means they won't have any of the plush, pillow like squish, that we all love. They may look nice and sturdy enough, but how do they feel? Chances are not great.
Let's now think about a custom made pillow from a local shop. Here's where things get fun. Usually there are no store fronts for you to walk around in. There may be an online shop or not. So what's the point? Why go somewhere you can't see the finished product? Easy. The point is that your local shop is not usually mass producing on that scale. They are not slapping together 10,000 pillows a day that may or may not be made of quality. Quite the opposite. They are making your pillows to order however you want. Different sizes, shapes, materials, styles! The options are ENDLESS! Maybe that sounds a little overwhelming at first but trust me, its as easy as chowing down on a Thanksgiving pie and maybe more satisfying in the long term.
What are the custom pillow options?
Pillow Size
- If you are struggling to decide how big or how small you want your pillow to be try cutting out a piece of cardboard in a few different size options and place it on your piece of furniture. Walk around your choice for a day or two to be sure you like the look and location in the room.
Pillow Shape
- One of the best parts about working with your local craftsman is that you get the CHOOSE whatever shape you want! Look at a design magazine, Pinterest or another platform for some inspiration. Some options include ball, pyramid, square, rectangular, 3D cubes, the options really go on and on. Get creative.
Pillow Insert
- Here's where your squish factor comes into play. Do you like firm or stiffer pillows? Maybe ask for it to be filled up a little more, or less if you like your pillows soft and light feeling.
- You also get to choose the type of material inside of the insert. If you like the feel of down feathers and are not allergic I would personally recommend going the feather route. They provide support, fluffy appearance, and can be re-fluffed over time if your pillow starts to sag. If you do need hypoallergenic there are plenty of options for you too! My favorite is a down alternative fill which is a synthetic material that is less likely to collect allergens that cause allergies. You will still have that nice fluffy appearance and support with a good re-fluff.
- If you like the look of the over stuffed, ultra plush pillows you can opt in to add a dacron wrap to the pillow. The wrap will sit on the outside of the insert and help to round out the cover, and fill out the corners. Dacron is a polyester fiber known for its quality and durability. It is hypoallergenic, non-absorbent and mildew-resistant.
Pillow Style
- Now comes the fun stuff. What is the cover going to look like? This is another great research topic. Hop on Pinterest or another searching platform and look up home decor pillows. SAVE SAVE SAVE those inspiration photos. Keep looking at the styles you like and imagine them in your space.
- Some options include:
- Open Flange
- Closed Flange
- Knife Edge
- Welt
- Bolster
- How will the pillow close:
- Zipper
- Button
- Fully Sewn (no opening)
- Envelope / Overlap
- If you are unsure of how you would like the pillow to close ask your designer or sewer what they would recommend for you.
Pillow Material
- The material you choose for your pillow will greatly impact the look and overall feel. This is where a lot of your overall cost will come from. Some materials are more expensive than others. Most materials are sold by the yard. Price per yard can range anywhere from $20-$800 or more so make your choice wisely. If you are unsure of where to look for fabric ask your designer or sewer where they recommend you looking based on your price requirements.
- Lets talk about fabric first. Fabric is an entwined fiber construction. The different fibers in the process, pattern, texture and creation process are where the fabric gets its subcategory names. Fabrics are made from natural or synthetic materials and are either woven or knitted together.
- Natural materials come from plants and animals
- Synthetic materials are created by man
- Woven fabrics are created on a loom and are woven both vertically and horizontally. Woven fabrics typically don't stretch and are therefore tauter and sturdier than a knit fabric.
- Plain Weave
- Satin Weave
- Twill Weave
- Examples: denim, linen, satin, silk
- Knit fabrics are interconnecting looped strands known for their stretch and elasticity while still maintaining shape.
- Warp-knitted
- Weft-knitted
- Examples: lace, lycra, mesh
Types of Fabric
- Cotton
- Chiffon
- Crepe
- Denim
- Lace
- Linen
- Satin
- Silk
- Synthetic
- Velvet
Types of Hides
- What about hides?
- Animal hides are a great option as well. They help bring a more natural feel into your home. There are man made options for all of the following if you are opposed to using animal products. These pillows tend to feel a little bit stiffer overall. If you want the look of the hair or leather, consider doing a front and back to the pillow. My favorite combination at the moment is an Icelandic Shearling Hide with a felt back.
- Leather
- Hair on Hide
- Shearling
- One thing to keep in mind is not all hides are created equal. Some will have scars, different texture, different color, different length in hair and different thickness. But that is the fun of it.
- Every one of your pillows will be slightly different. Which can add to the appeal. It's like you're getting 5 different pillows made from the same materials.
- If you want to view the hides in person before making the purchase try looking for a local vendor. In most areas there are local farmers and ranchers who will use all of the parts of their livestock so they don't waste. Most of them are more than happy for you to swing by and hand select which hides you want. These hides may also be cheaper than what you will order online.
With all of this in mind, I hope you now see why a custom pillow may be the right move for you in your home. Custom pillows are designed with YOU in mind. Your pillow should be a reflection of your personal style, not a mass produced one size fits all.
If there are any questions you have about pillows, where to source quality materials, what creators are near you or other design questions I would be happy to help.
My shop is located near
Bozeman, Montana. If you are located in the surrounding area lets
meet up and find a design that works for you! If you are located somewhere else send me an email, we will design the pillow of your dreams and I will ship it to your door.