Simple Sewing Projects

Question:
I’m interested in knowing if you have to stuff your cushions with foam batting or a mix of feathers & down or can you choose what ever or is there a proper stuffing for certain projects. ~ Suzanne White

Response:

The materials you choose for your pillow project is based on the type of project… and the purpose of the pillow or cushion… and also on your budget.

Certainly the cheapest way to fill a pillow is to stuff it with polyester filler. But stuffing a pillow with filler doesn’t always give you the result you want functionally.

If you’re making cushions… like a box cushion… a cushion for a kitchen or dining room chair… something that you’ll sit on… you need to use foam for the shape… and then a thin batting around the foam.

If you’re making pillows of any kind or size, you can either use a pillow form or you can stuff it. Whether you use down or polyester is really up to you. For some people, it doesn’t matter how the pillow feels, so you can stuff it inexpensively with polyester or cotton filler.

But maybe you’re making a nice comfy pillow as a gift… then perhaps you use some nice down filling for softness. I have to admit, I’ve never used feathers.

Readers: If you know more about stuffing pillows with down and feathers, email me at jennifer@simplesewingprojects.com or post a comment below this article.

Hope this helps,

Jenny T.