The dilemna of keeping many different sizes

We often have strategy discussions weighing the relative merits of carrying odd sizes such as 10" x 30". Usually we focus on all the major sizes and leave off the more unique sizes as custom work. This becomes an issue when trying to close new accounts who are annoyed that we don't carry "their size". Ultimately, we focus on keeping a just-in-time manufacturing process to eliminate cost of carrying and reduce product cost and thus selling price to the customer. It is this lean business model that has made us a succesful manufacturing corporation for many many years.

We can and will take care of all of our clients and deliver whatever size they need. Custom size pillow forms are welcome with the right quantity, as their is an economy of scale for custom work.

What size and shape decorator pillow to use

Rule # 1 Pillows and cushions within a room do not have to match. Biggest decorating mistake made by a layperson is buying all the same colorways.
 
Rule # 2 Know what you want to accomplish, if you want a a formal look most common size 18 inches square it is not too large on a small seat and will not look out of place on a sofa.
If the furniture has a low back I recommend using 16 inch square decorator pillows, With extra firm pillow inserts. 
For a casual feel go with the 22 inches or 24 inches square, Always use a down feather insert in the larger decorator pillows unless you are using the larger size as a floor pillow in which case go with the polyester fiber fill
 
Rule # 3 Use them odd numbers one for the chair and three to five for the love seat or sofa
 
Rule # 4 What feel do you want , Down feather inserts are more luxurious, and of course are more expensive. Polyester filled pillow inserts are stiffer, plumper and more resilient
 
Rule # 5 Don't just look at the furniture, look at the whole room. the wallpaper the floor or floor covering, even the view from the window should help you decide which colors or combination of colors to use
 
Rule # 6 More expensive is not necessarily better. Get the look and feel that you want. Consider decorating a work in progress allow yourself the opportunity to experiment and make changes slowly 
 
On a future post I will discuss the various shapes, when they should be used 
 
I found this great three minute  YouTube video of a professional decorator explaining sizes and colors you should find it very helpful

What size pillow insert to order for your decorator cushion

The most common question asked is " If my cushion is say 18" x 18" what size pillow insert do I buy? " Now that we have an online chat button on our nussopillows.com we are asked that question more than once a day.

The simple answer is , it is a matter of personal taste. For a 18" x 18" decorator cushion 18" x 18" pillow insert or 20" x 20" insert pillow form will work.

Basically its the look you want to accomplish. You want to make sure the corners are nicely filled and if the cushion on the chair, sofa or love seat is being used for support a plump polyester look will not be comfortable.

 I would recommend a down feather insert either 18" x 18" or 20" x 20" again depends on the manufacturers.
Lets get past the technical stuff and then we will come back to personal tastes
When measuring make sure measurements are seam to seam, measured across the middle.
The following table is a guideline for the most popular sizes and what we suggest in a firm polyester filled pillow form, used for decorative purposes

Outer Cover Size	Pillow Insert Size
14" square	16" square
16" square	18” square
18" square	20 square

I want to stress again it is a matter of personal taste. ask your decorator to bring a sample of  various sizes and try them out. You will then have made a decision you will never have second thoughts about.   We  encourage our decorator or designer clients to bring in their customers cushions and try out the various sizes to make sure everybody is happy

The following youtube video form another manufacturer , will give you visual description of the above article

The example they use is a 24"x 24"but the message is the same.

Halloween Crafts made of our polyester fiber and quilt batting

There was surge of buying in September of  polyester fiber fill  and polyester filled pillow forms by carfters and hobbyists  this year. This type of  spike in sales usually happens in October for Christmas,.

Decorator Cushions Holiday

Upon investigating I found that  many small manufacturers, hobbyists and craft guilds are now making a line of cushions , chair pads for rocking chairs, bolster pillow forms ( no pictures sent in though)  and quilted wall hangings for Halloween.

I put out  an email asking those who bought the polyester staple fiber  for some photos and I  will post afew. 

Understandability the Halloween selling season is short however it seems its quite lucrative for clients of Nussopillows

We did help them out this year by offering orange and black broadcloth to colors very popular in Halloween crafts and projetcs
I found that the most popular size made this time was the 26x26 euro pillow form insert all the way down to the small pillow form 10x12 ( pictures enclosed) Here are a few photos that were sent in.

Decorator Cushion

Chair pad

Quilted wall hanging

Quilted Christmas decorative items using polyester batting

Halloween is still on crafters' mind, however in a short while after halloween has come and gone and the tasty treats are finished. Christmas crafting projects will be on top of everybody's to do list.
There is only so much quilt batting that we can produce from our virgin hollow siliconized conjugate  polyester fiber in the short period between Halloween and early December. Please consider thta when you are planning your projects. Avoid being disappointment and order early. As you know out quilt batts do not spoil with age., they will always retain their loft and bounce . So if you over buy. you have invested and a head start for your next project.
Enough said I will post some pictures of some Christamas project that were sent  to me last year. I hope this helpful to you in developing your ideas.Please if you like to share, send me pictures of your projects and i will post with fellow crafters. Once again thank you for your support.

Quilted Table Runner

Quilted table runners

quilted place mat

quilted table runner matching place mat

Hey aquarists use polyester fiber and qulit batting as aquarium filters

Got the strangest call early last week from a pet supply store. They are looking for non recycled clean polyester fiber for thier aqaurium filters.

I was reluctant to ship as I felt perhaps the polyester as it is treated to be slick and bouncy may do harm to the fish.

I searched the internet AND was surprised to find that that many posts and forums that advocate the use of polyester fiber based filters to save the consumer money.

Variations included quilt batting made up of polyester fiber.

I checked both fresh water and salt water tanks , yes consumers are using filters made up of the polyester fiber or small pieces of polyester quilt batting.

They are claiming savings of up to 90% over the cost of packaged filters bought in the specialty shops.

I remember when I had an aquarium I dreaded the days i had to change filters as it was an added cost to my low student budget.

Using polyester fiber or quilt batting will make these costs insignificant. Remember do not use recycled fiber as it may come from unidentified sources. Enjoy your hobby

down feather cushion insert vs polyester filled insert

Just read an article in the National Post , the author a renowned designer mentioned she was very adamant on down feather inserts , which we do carry. However my experience is that once I show a designer that I can fill the insert with less fill or use cluster fibre, I get a feel that is close to down.
This is very aattractive to people with allergies and on tighter budgets.
As we use hollow siliconized fiber , and not recycled fiber the cushions do not become flat over time.  On a different blog I write how to keep them plump.
You can do it yourself as well if you can sew. By opening the end and removing some of the stuffing till you get the down feather feel and sew it closed.
Please visit our factory and we will show you the many options available.