Ever bought a pillow cover online, excitedly waited for its arrival, only to find it doesn't quite fit your favorite pillow? It's a common frustration! Getting the right size pillow cover is crucial not only for aesthetic appeal – a well-fitted cover looks far more polished and inviting – but also for the comfort and longevity of your pillow. A too-small cover can compress the fill and compromise support, while an overly large one will look sloppy and fail to provide the proper loft. Precise measurements are the key to achieving that perfect fit.
The seemingly simple task of measuring a pillow cover can be surprisingly tricky. Manufacturers use different measuring techniques, and understanding these nuances can save you time, money, and the disappointment of receiving an ill-fitting product. Whether you're making your own covers, shopping online, or simply replacing an old one, knowing how to accurately measure is an essential skill for any home decorator or comfort enthusiast.
What are the best practices for ensuring an accurate measurement?
How do I measure a pillow cover if it's oddly shaped?
The best way to measure an oddly shaped pillow cover is to treat it as a series of straight lines and curves. First, measure the longest straight dimensions of the cover. Then, for curved sections, use a flexible measuring tape (like a tailor's tape) to follow the curve accurately, noting the measurement for each distinct curved portion. Finally, add these individual measurements together to get an approximate overall size.
When dealing with curves, it's helpful to break the curve down into smaller, manageable segments. Imagine drawing straight lines connecting points along the curve; the more points you use, the more accurate your final measurement will be. A flexible measuring tape is crucial here, as it allows you to conform to the shape of the curve without distorting the measurement. Consider using pins to temporarily hold the tape in place if needed, especially for complex curves. For unusually shaped covers, sketching a quick diagram can be beneficial. On the diagram, label each straight line and curve segment with its corresponding measurement. This visual aid helps ensure you haven't missed any portions and makes it easier to calculate the total size and communicate the dimensions to others if you're ordering a replacement or creating a similar cover.What's the best way to measure a pillow cover with piping or flanges?
The best way to measure a pillow cover with piping or flanges is to measure the pillow cover from seam to seam, excluding the piping or flanges. These decorative elements are not part of the functional size of the cover and should not be included in your measurement for determining the correct pillow insert size.
When measuring a pillow cover with piping, lay the cover flat on a surface. Locate the seams where the piping is attached. Measure the distance between these seams horizontally and vertically. This will give you the core dimensions of the pillow cover, which is the size of the pillow insert you'll need. The piping adds to the overall decorative size, but doesn't affect the insert size needed to fill it out. Similarly, for pillow covers with flanges (the extra fabric extending beyond the seam), measure from seam to seam, disregarding the flange. The flange is purely decorative and again, not factored into the pillow insert size. Ignoring these decorative additions ensures that you select a pillow insert that properly fills the cover without being too tight or too loose. Remember to measure the interior space that the pillow form will occupy, not the overall dimensions that include these decorative borders.Should I measure the pillow or the pillow cover itself?
You should measure the pillow itself, not the pillow cover. Measuring the pillow will give you the accurate dimensions needed to select a properly sized pillow cover.
When determining what size pillow cover you need, you are trying to find a cover that fits snugly and looks aesthetically pleasing. Measuring the pillow cover itself after it's been used can lead to inaccurate measurements due to stretching or shrinkage from washing. Pillows, however, maintain a more consistent size. Therefore, using the pillow's dimensions as a guide is the most reliable method. For the best fit, it's recommended to measure the pillow across its width and length at its widest points, ensuring you're not just measuring the surface but accounting for the pillow's loft (thickness). If your pillow is particularly plush or overstuffed, consider adding an inch or two to your measurements when selecting your pillow cover size. This extra room will allow for easy insertion and prevent the cover from appearing stretched or strained.How accurate do my pillow cover measurements need to be?
Your pillow cover measurements need to be accurate to within approximately 1/4 inch (0.25 inches) to ensure a snug and aesthetically pleasing fit. While some minor variations are acceptable, exceeding this tolerance can lead to a cover that is either too loose and sloppy or too tight and difficult to put on, potentially damaging the seams or zipper.
For best results, use a flexible measuring tape and measure your pillow insert while it is lying flat and relaxed, mimicking its natural shape when filled. Don’t pull the tape taut across the pillow, as this will overestimate the dimensions. Then, translate these measurements to your pillow cover dimensions, typically adding a slight allowance depending on the fabric thickness and desired fit. For example, with thicker fabrics, you might add an extra 1/8 inch to each side to prevent an overly tight squeeze. Keep in mind that different pillow shapes and fills will require slightly different approaches. A feather-filled pillow, for instance, may compress more than a polyester-filled pillow, so your cover dimensions might need to be adjusted accordingly. It's always better to err on the slightly larger side than to create a cover that is too small and impossible to use comfortably. Measuring twice and cutting once is a good philosophy here, so take your time, double-check your figures, and create a test cover if you're using a particularly expensive or challenging fabric.What's the difference between measuring a square vs. a rectangular pillow cover?
The primary difference lies in the number of measurements required: a square pillow cover needs only one measurement (the length of one side), while a rectangular pillow cover requires two measurements (length and width) to fully define its size.
When measuring a square pillow cover, simply measure the length of one side, seam to seam. Since all sides of a square are equal, this single measurement represents the dimensions of the entire cover. This measurement is often used to specify the "size" of the square pillow cover (e.g., an 18x18 inch square pillow cover).
For rectangular pillow covers, you need to measure both the length and the width. The length is typically the longer side, and the width is the shorter side. Again, measure from seam to seam. These two measurements are crucial to ensure a proper fit for your rectangular pillow insert. When purchasing, rectangular pillow covers are typically described with both measurements (e.g., a 20x30 inch rectangular pillow cover).
How do I account for shrinkage when measuring for a custom pillow cover?
To account for shrinkage when measuring for a custom pillow cover, pre-wash and dry your fabric *before* cutting and sewing. This will ensure any potential shrinkage occurs before the cover is made, giving you accurate final dimensions.
Accounting for shrinkage is crucial, especially when working with natural fibers like cotton, linen, and rayon, as these are more prone to shrinking. Skipping this step can result in a pillow cover that is too small after its first wash, rendering it unusable or requiring alterations. Pre-washing mimics the conditions the finished cover will experience, allowing the fabric to relax and shrink as it will in the future. Once the fabric is pre-washed and dried according to the manufacturer's instructions (or how you plan to wash the finished cover), you can then accurately measure and cut the fabric for your pillow cover. Remember to add seam allowances to your measurements, as these will be taken up during the sewing process. Failing to consider shrinkage can waste both time and materials, so this step is a non-negotiable part of custom pillow cover creation.Where do I start and stop the measuring tape on a pillow cover?
Start measuring at the very edge of the sewn seam on one side of the pillow cover and extend the measuring tape to the very edge of the sewn seam on the opposite side. Do this for both the width and the height of the pillow cover, ensuring you're measuring along a straight line.
When measuring pillow covers, it's crucial to understand that you're measuring the fabric itself, not the pillow that goes inside. Therefore, you want to measure from the stitched seam to the stitched seam. Don’t include any ruffles, flanges, or decorative edges in your measurement. These are extra details that add to the overall size, but they don't represent the actual pillow insert size the cover is designed to hold. Always lay the pillow cover flat on a smooth surface to prevent any sagging or distortion that might affect the accuracy of your measurements.
Remember to take measurements of both dimensions, the width and the height, to get a complete understanding of the pillow cover's size. These measurements will help you determine the appropriate pillow insert size. If your measurements are slightly off standard sizes, consider choosing a pillow insert that is slightly larger to ensure a full and plump appearance.
And that's all there is to it! Measuring pillow covers might seem a little fiddly at first, but with these tips, you'll be a pro in no time. Thanks for reading, and we hope this helped you find the perfect fit. Come back and visit us again soon for more helpful tips and tricks!