Suggestions for pillow forms?
 

I'm making a bargello throw quilt for my husband for Christmas and it came out a little over 2 feet too long (which I knew would happen but I couldn't stop adding more fabric!) I chopped the end off to bring it down to size and now I'm thinking I can use that to make a nice big pillow to match his quilt! He could use a big "movie watching" pillow for his couch anyway.

I want probably either 20x20 or 24x24, and I'm not sure what type to get - I want it "cushy" but also to hold its shape and not get flat spots or compress down too much to where it gets hard or lumpy after awhile. Anybody have any suggestions where I can buy a good pillow form like that? Or suggestions as to what type would be best? I like the feel of down but my husband REALLY hates any poky feathers and I think I want it a little more structured than that anyway. Definitely don't want it to be floppy.

Here's the "chopped off" end I'll be using (the colors aren't exactly true to life but you get the idea)

Front:
[ATTACH=CONFIG]363316[/ATTACH]

Back:
[ATTACH=CONFIG]363315[/ATTACH]

You could just make your own....then you can add/delete stuffing 'til you get the perfect feel happening.

That's a good idea...but what kind of stuffing would I use?

I don't know anything at all about stuffing. I've never used it for anything before and I'm afraid it'd get lumpy or clumpy if I use the wrong kind. All those darn seams...I don't want to ruin it with a poor stuffing job. If I did the stuffing, would it be a good idea if I encased it in batting or something? I kind of feel like this should have a lining of some kind, but I'm not sure why!

Maybe I just need to go to Joann's and test-punch some of their pillow forms? LOL

I've used bed pillows for forms before. Use the cheapies, as you will be "chopping" it up. Take the pillow by the short end and shove the stuffing all down into the other end. Once you have enough "clearance" run the empty part of the pillowcase through the sewing machine at the place where you want to cut it. Once you've sewn it across a couple of times, cut off the extra fabric. Redistribute the stuffing so it is even and presto !! Nice, thick, soft, cheap pillow form :)

Ohh, that's a good idea too! I might even have a spare pillow I can do that with. Hmmmm!!

Just make it into a pillow case or sham to fit a standard size pillow and then it could be easily washed and quickly dried as I'm sure he will be using it a lot. By the way, your pattern and colors are beautiful.

You can use almost anything to make a pillow form....calico...ugly fabric...I have even used old rayon scarves that were to ratty to wear. Polyfil type stuffing sold in craft stores is probably the easiest to get....but I have pulled old bed pillows apart...as long as the stuffing still has some "spring" I'll use it. Also if you stitch around the seam twice...it is really robust, so you can stuff it as firmly as you like. Your bargello is beautiful...if it were mine I'd quilt it then do a simple zippered backing...easy on and off for a wash.

Do you have enough for a bed sized pillow rather than a square one? They scrunch up under your head better than "throw" pillows.

If it were MY beautiful bargello, I would make sure to either quilt it to a backing with batting and then stuff it, or make a case for the stuffing so the multiple seams would not let anything leak out. Less stress on the seams if it is quilted first. Really nice!

i used to work at the store tuesday morning. often we would get in pillows of your dimension. you could call them if you have one close by and tell them what you are looking for. hopefully, they will be helpful and give you the dimension, price and the inner content. also, they have other pillows for a decent price. now, tuesday morning closes down for restocking occasionally, so don't be concerned that they aren't answering the phone. i hope you can find or make what suits you.