16" Pillow top
 

I am making a patchwork pillowtop to fit a 16" pillowform. It is a fairly puffy pillowform (from Joanns). My question is do I make the top to finish at 16" square or do I want to make it a little smaller (15" square maybe) to fit snugly? I am planning to do an envelope type backing. I hope this is understandable. Thanks in advance for any help you can give me. It is for a friend--a memory pillow of her husbands shirts for her 3 children so I want it to be right.

I would make it to fit. If you go too small it will not be smooth in the cover.

I recently replaced all my pillow inserts on my couch, my pillow cases measured 20 in square and I used a 24 in insert and they are nice and full. If I had gotten the same size or smaller I would have been disappointed with the outcome. Can you make a mock up and see how you like the fullness???

That's what I would do. Just take some old fabric even an old bed sheet and make up a sample to see how it fits. I've done that often. It allows you to tweak it a bit it necesary.

I always make the pillow a bit larger, it fills the corners nicely

I like full pillows so typically make them to finish at the size of the pillow form. Since I typically use zippers on the back I'm not sure if it would be different for an envelope style back. Also, I don't care for pillows with pointy corners that are empty so lately I have tapered the corners in by 1/2 inch, starting approximately 5 inches from the corner. Works great for me and I'm much happier with the corners.

That's an interesting idea. I wondered if that would work. I don't like empty corners either.

http://www.aqsblog.com/free-video-tu...onnie-browning

I saved the link above which shows you how to avoid pointed pillow corners. I think it is similar to Cactus Stitchin's method. I have not tried it yet myself.

I tend to go bigger and let the pillow be soft and squishy. When you go small the pillow is tighter and harder. When I made large pillows for my bed I essentially made a baby quilt like top then enveloped the back and sewed a 2 inch flange all around, tightening the pillow in the form.

Thank you all for the quick and very helpful replies. You are the best!