Fabric, Fill, and Finish: The three pillars of a custom pillow
A custom pillow can look store-bought, but here are some telltale signs that a throw pillow is custom.
Pillow in Kips Bay Showhouse in Dallas, TX
Fabric
Custom pillows usually have higher-end fabrics. While higher-end fabrics can be solid and plain, it is more common that multi-color fabrics or embroidered patterns are higher-end. The hand, or feel of the fabric, can also be a telltale sign of a fabric’s quality. If it’s slick or stretchy, it’s more likely to be a lower quality fabric if it’s on a pillow. Custom pillows will look good from far away and close up. You’ll be able to see the quality in the weave.
Fabric combinations are also a sign of a high-end pillow. Mitered frames, contrast flange that is pleated or ruffled are also uncommon in most stores. But what is the biggest sign that a pillow is custom? It’s one of a kind and you’ve never seen it before.
Fill
Custom pillows won’t feel flat, lumpy, or under filled. They’ll be plush and the fill will last a long time and have the ability to be fluffed (especially if there is a down content). Usually custom pillows are 10/90, which means they are 10% down and 90% soft feather. If you go under 10% down, the pillow might as well be all feather IMO. You can go with a higher down content, but the higher you go, the more you’ll have to upkeep them by fluffing them regularly. We also offer a down alternative that actually feels soft like a 10/90 pillow, so you can still get a little karate chop out of it unlike some store-bough poly filled pillows.
Finish
This is probably the best telltale sign a pillow is custom. If it has multiple fabrics that are pieced together to make the pillow front, it takes longer to make and is likely to be a higher-quality pillow. If you see trim, especially layered trims, it’s typically a custom pillow. This, again, is why custom pillows are one-of-a-kind and something you’ve not seen before, because the combination of fabrics and trims is literally endless.
Pillow featured in a showroom in Dallas, TX
FAQ
How does fabric tell you a pillow is high-quality or custom-made?
A. A thick feeling, or a nice linen-look fabric that isn’t distorted; an embroidered or detailed fabric with lots of colors; multiple fabrics that are pieced to make the pillow front; the front and back are both in the same fabric.
How should a high-quality pillow feel?
A. It sholdn’t feel lumpy or under-filled. It should be soft and squishy. It shouldn’t have feathers coming through the fabric. If it does, it needs a special lining to prevent that.
How to tell if a pillow is truly high-end?
A. The telltale sign a pillow is higher-end is if it has soft feeling tassels or trims along its edges or if it has trims like you’ve never seen before. Layered trims are especially unusual to find in regular retail stores.
When you’re ready to design an one-of-a-kind pillow, Cozy Giraffe is here for you. There is nothing more fun than a well-made pillow with lots of details to make it bespoke.