Need advice as to which pillow forms hold their shape longest. I have purchased forms at Hancock Fabric but they tend to break apart and don't hole their firmness very long. Thanks in advance.
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Need advice as to which pillow forms hold their shape longest. I have purchased forms at Hancock Fabric but they tend to break apart and don't hole their firmness very long. Thanks in advance.
I don't buy forms, I buy the stuffing and stuff them myself. Mainly because I am not guarenteed that MY 12x12 pillow cover will fit THEIR 12x12 form! Plus it is a bit hard and annoying to make the corners match with a form. But with the batting...I can push it in the corners as I see fit and it will stay and be squared.
Same deal here. In fact, I actually bought one of those overstuffed grandma pillows at Walmart for $3 and opened the seam, removed some stuffing and cut it to size for one pillow I made. The slipcover was dark fabric, and hid the ticking that was on the pillow. The price sure beat the $10 pillow forms, and I had leftover stuffing.
I make my own pillow forms most of the time. I tend to make non-conventional size things. I use thin cotton batting Warm & White) for the shell of the form and stuff it. Then I make a cotton pillow cover for it and then cover all that with my decorator cover. Sounds like a lot of work I know but I get really great results doing it this way.
What type pillows are you making if they "break apart"? Are they decorative pillows or sleeping pillows?? I recently bought a body pillow and made a wild and crazy cover for it for a friend's DGD (pink/black zebra and dots).
This is what I'm going to do for my youngest son's next quilt. Make a matching cover for a body pillow that will sit across the top of his bed.
I can't get over how expensive pillow forms are!
Why not just buy a nice bed pillow and make the cover to fit.
Most of the time I buy the "2 for" at Walmart...shake the stuffing down as far as it goes,,, then stitch across,,, that's my form...I have also "cut" them down the middle and stitched up to make 2 from one which makes a nice little pillow..ONE rule of thumb ,I use (forget where I learned this).. to cut your piece the exact size of the pillow..ie.. 16X16 is cut 16X16.. with 1/2" seams...always works for me with a nice smooth fit..
I buy at JoAnn's when I have a 50% off coupon. But I love GrammaBabs' idea about shaking down and dividing the cheap pillows!
And I have learned to cut the cover fabric the same size as the pillow form says it is.
... Just love this forum!!! :)
When I buy new bed pillows...I keep the old ones and just take out the stuffing and fluff it up and pull it apart etc..and use that for stuffing for deco pillows.Quote:
Originally Posted by Vonnie
Good idea. Hadn't thought about buying them like that! I always have bought the bag of stuffing. I'll watch out for these for next timeQuote:
Originally Posted by GrammaBabs
One question tho...if my covers are 12x12...how do I measure the same for the pillow forms this way..the covers are 12x12 laying flat while the pillow form that is made is arched and full...makes them think that if I measure 12x12 over the fullness...it'd be bigger than the 12x12 laying flat.....so how do you measure the form to be 12x12?Quote:
Originally Posted by GrammaBabs
Your completed cover should be 1" inch smaller than your pillow, for regular size decorator pillows. If you have a 12x12 pillow form and cut the fabric the same (12x12), then use 1/2" seam allowance, you will end up with a cover that is 11x11 and 1" smaller than your form. The pillow will fit nice and snug in the cover. You can taper the corners and if you end up with some dog ear corners, stuff a little loose fiber fill in the corners.
If you already have 12x12 covers made, then cover the forms with a layer of batting to build up additional thickness.
Oh, cool. I sometimes things I over analyize things! I am going to try this next time.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sharyn J
I did some pillows for a co-worker out of her dad's shirts. She needed several for all of the grandkids, etc, but didn't keep very many of his shirts, so I had to use some of the sleeves. I took the travel pillows, cut them in half and then serged them closed again. I did try just serging them, but that didn't work so well - it was worth a try, I was in a hurry! :)
I must admit that for pillows I don't buy the forms. I have so much "leftover" batting (too small to use on small projects) that the batting is perfect for pillows (SIL who saves everything taught me this money-saving trick). Just stuff your pillow square until it has enough "Poof" to suit you.
Christine
I like this idea...why haven't I thought about it? Thank you!Quote:
Originally Posted by coffeebreak
Thanks to all for lots of good ideas. I usually cut my fabric 1 in larger than the form which may be part of the problem. Too much room left for the "stuffing" to wiggle around. I'll know better from now on.
When needing new throw pillows for the couch and chairs I just make a cover and put the old pillow inside it. Below is an old flowered pillow I had and made a new cover for it. I made this trying out my new machine.
Hi
I get pillow forms from the thrift stores. You can get almost any size & they are way cheap.. Just throw them in the washing machine & you are good to go.