Pillow covers are the easiest way to bring a handmade textile into your home, and also the easiest to get wrong. The cover looks too big, the insert is lumpy or the pattern fights the room. This guide covers the sizes we make, how to pick an insert and how to style handwoven ikat and batik cushion covers.
The Sizes We Make
Our covers are sold cover only, with no insert. Sizes vary by design, and our current range includes:
| Cover size | Shape | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 12" x 20" | Lumbar (rectangle) | Chair backs, sofa centers, bed fronts |
| 16" x 16" | Small square | Accent pillow, layering on larger pillows |
| 20" x 20" | Medium square | Sofa corners, everyday seating |
| 23" x 23" | Large square | Floor cushions, statement sofa pillows, bed shams |
Check the product page for the exact size and price of each design. Browse the ikat and batik pillow cover collection and Pillows & Throws.
How to Choose an Insert
- Match the shape. Buy a square insert for a square cover and a lumbar insert for a lumbar cover.
- Go up a size for a fuller pillow. A common designer rule of thumb is to choose an insert about 1 to 2 inches larger than the cover, so it fills the corners. For example, a 22" insert in a 20" cover.
- Match the fill to the use. Down-alternative is soft and squishy for lounging; a firmer fill holds its shape on a sofa.
- Handwoven covers can be slightly different in size. Because they're made by hand, measure the cover flat if you need a precise fit.
5 Ways to Style Pillow Covers
1. Start With a Lumbar
Put one lumbar cover in front, centered on the sofa or bed, and place two squares behind it. The long shape anchors the group.
2. Pair Pattern With Solid
Put a bold ikat next to a solid in a color from the pattern. It lets the pattern be the star.
3. Stick to Two or Three Colors
Handwoven ikat looks best when the pillows share one or two colors, even if the motifs differ.
4. Vary the Sizes
Mix a 20" or 23" square with a 16" square and a lumbar so the pillows don't look like a set of identical blocks.
5. Echo It Elsewhere
Repeat a pillow color in a throw or a framed bandana. See how to style a batik or ikat throw blanket and how to decorate with batik pillows, throws and quilts.
Batik vs. Ikat Covers
Ikat is woven from yarn that's dyed before weaving, giving crisp-but-soft motifs. Batik is wax-resist dyeing on finished cloth, with a more painterly look. Both are handmade in Indonesia. Learn more in batik vs. ikat.
Care
Check the care notes on each product page. As with any hand-dyed textile, wash separately the first time and keep covers out of long, direct sun. Remove the insert before washing the cover.
New: the 27" mid-size bandana. A 27" batik bandana ($35) makes a beautiful pillow-top accent or a gift to go with a cover: roomy enough to fold, drape or frame. Shop 27" bandanas.
