Picking Perfect Throw Pillows
Throw pillows make a statement. They decorate your couch and punctuate your bed, adding style and comfort. It all depends on how you pick them.
Live on the Edge
There are different ways to finish a pillow’s seam. The most common types are:
Knife Edge: the most popular, this straight-laced, no funny business seam occurs when two pieces of fabric sewn together with a simple stitch.
Welt: a string of piping is sewn into the seam; if the piping is made with the same fabric, it is called a “self-welt pillow”.
Flanged: these have an extra width of fabric encircling them called a “flange”.
Embellished: the seam has a fancy trim, such as lacy or a soft fringe.
Pick Your Shape
Not to state the obvious, but pillows are available in many shapes and sizes:
Square: the standard shape with a width of 14”-20”.
Rectangular: aka a lumbar pillows.
Circle: these make great accent pillows to throw a curve into the straight lines of the room.
Odd: make a statement. Look for flowers or any odd shape. Caution: use sparingly.
A Splash of Colour
The same rules apply for pillows as accent colours.
Solid: use these are backdrops and pull the main accent colours from your room onto your furniture.
Patterned: pick a one or two with a pattern to add movement to your couch. Unless your couch is patterned, in which case avoid at all costs.
Graphic: cute or funky pictures on the pillow are visual spice, especially if the image has meaning to you.
Commands: big, bold words on a solid background are amusing additions.
Vary the shapes and ensure colour continuity. For example: three square, two rectangle and one circle. One of each shape will be the same solid colour. Anything goes for the remaining pillows!