Knowing how much fabric for pillow you’ll need means identifying the different pillow sizes. Regardless of whether you’re making the pillow yourself or searching in the market, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with the different pillow dimensions. This article should guide you not just with standard pillows but also with other sizes.
However, the emphasis is still necessary on knowing how to adjust the fabric needs. Remember that there are different pillows, and you will need to allocate some fabric to accommodate what pillow you have. It would be best if you also considered the fabric type itself.
How Much Fabric You’ll Need For A Pillow
Remember that there are different pillow sizes, which means that the fabric you’ll need for every pillow will differ. Not to mention, you might need to make some adjustments to the dimensions of your pillow, depending on the brand or materials. The amount of fabric below is what you can expect for every typical pillow size in the market, but you can always add or subtract as needed.
A standard-size bed pillow usually measures 20 by 26 inches, and you will need a ⅝ yard of fabric for it. On the contrary, queen-size and king-size pillows will need at least a yard of fabric. A queen-size pillow around 20 by 30 inches can have one and ⅛ yards of fabric, while the bigger king-size pillow measuring 20 by 36 inches can have an additional ¼ yard of fabric besides a whole yard.
What about smaller pillows? A typical square pillow, typically 12 by 12 inches, will need ⅓ yard of fabric. You can then adjust as the pillow gets bigger, where 14 by 14 inches and 16 by 16 inches requires half a yard each, and a whole yard should suffice for a 30 by 30-inch pillow.
Some other ordinary square pillows are 18 by 18 inches and 20 by 20 inches that will need ⅝ yard and ¾ yard of fabric, respectively.
How To Make A Basic Pillow
Step #1. Cut a pattern
You can also make your own basic pillow according to the size and dimensions you want. Start by cutting two pieces of fabric, whether they are squares or rectangles. Just remember to allocate half an inch to the size for seam allowance at the sides.
Step #2. Sew the pillow liner
Place the fabric pieces together with their right side in and secure the edges with pins except for one to turn your pillow right side out later. You can then sew the pinned edges together with straight stitches by hand or by using a sewing machine. Turn your pillow inside out until the corners are pushed out.
Step #3. Fill and close shut
At this point, you will need to fold the remaining edge by half an inch to create a crease. Stuff the pillow with your chosen fill to achieve your desired firmness and loft, and you’re done. Finally, sew the opening shut or add a zippered opening if you want adjustment on the stuffing later on.
How To Make A Basic Pillowcase
Step #1. Construction
Sewing a pillowcase for the pillow you just made is also as straightforward. Start by measuring your pillow insert and cut a piece of fabric according to its dimensions. Set this aside for the front side of your pillowcase.
For the backside of your pillowcase, cut two fabric pieces with the same width as the pillow but half its height. You must also allocate an additional 5 inches of fabric for seams and hems allowances. You can then hem an edge of each back piece before turning one of them to have the wrong side facing you.
Step #2. Sewing
Fold-down the top edge of each back piece twice and stitch it close to the inside of the folded edge. Pin the back pieces together with the front piece so that their hemmed edges overlap. Sew all the edges before turning the pillowcase right side out from the gap of the overlapping back pieces.
When To Replace Your Pillow
Learning the dimensions and fabric needs of every pillow size is useful when replacing your pillow. You can buy or make your own, but when should you really replace your pillow? The specific timeline will vary for every pillow type and its daily wear and tear.
Therefore, check if your pillow’s structure is still comfortable and supportive. If the fill has lost its form or you notice clumping, it’s a good time to replace your pillow. You can also fold your pillow and see if it will retain its shape afterward.
Conclusion
Whether you’re buying or making a pillow, you must know its dimensions. More so, each pillow size requires you to learn how much fabric for pillow you’ll need. This way, you’ll end up with a snug pillow, and you can easily make or buy replacements for the case or lining quickly.
A quick recap of the guide above uses a ⅝-yard fabric for standard-size pillows, one and ⅛ yards of cloth for queen-size pillows, and one and ¼ yards of fabric for king-size pillows. Take note of the pillow measurements stated above because some brands might have some deviations from the dimensions. Your pillow materials will also require some adjustments to the fabric you’ll need to ensure a snug finish.