FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

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What are your shipping rates and methods?

Shipping rates vary depending on the weight of your order and location. Calculations are made by the shopping cart based on the items in your order and your shipping address. Domestic USA shipping start at $4.75. 

Do you ship internationally?

International orders are welcome, as long as insurance to your country is offered by the carrier. Please be aware that  insurance to the some countries in Africa, South America, the Middle East and Russia is unavailable. Orders with shipping addresses to these locations will be cancelled and refunded.

International buyers are responsible for any duties, taxes, VAT and other fees that may be charged by your country at customs. These charges may be imposed by the destination country and are not within Aloriam's control. Please be aware that you may or may not have to pay additional amounts to your government or postal system to receive your package. If you do not pick up your package, refuse delivery or fail to pay the custom fees levied by your country, your order will eventually be returned to us. At that point, we will give you the option to reship the package (additional postage to be invoiced) or receive a refund less a restocking fee and postage.

Do you offer fabric swatches?

To the extent a fabric is in stock (not limited availability or special order), swatches are available for purchase for $1.45 each including USA shipping (additional postage applies for international addresses). Some fabrics cannot be sampled if only a small quantity remains. Please contact us if you would like to request a swatch prior to purchase.

What size cover should I buy?

If you are using new inserts, please refer to the size on the packaging. For example, if the package says the insert is 20"x20", you should select "Fits 20x20 inserts" from the size drop down menu.

If you are using existing inserts and do not know their size, measure the insert along a seam line from corner to corner to determine the correct size. IMPORTANT: Please measure your naked insert without any covers. A cover squeezes your insert into a smaller shape, resulting in the wrong measurement. Be careful choosing a size if your inserts are old, because the filling may be compressed far more than the shell dimensions will indicate. You may need to go down a size if your insert has an inadequate volume of filling. Or better yet, purchase new inserts!  A great looking pillow starts from the inside. All of our pillows are photographed on feather/down, or synthetic down inserts. They look and feel great. Even better, no smelly or pokey feathers!

All pillow covers are made smaller than the insert size for a snug plump fit.  Please refer to the diagram and approximate measurements below.

What are your finished cover dimensions?

Measured across midpoints of interior, the approximate finished sizes are:
** For 12x18 insert: 11.5x17 inches
** For 12x24 insert: 11.5x23 inches
** For 14x20 insert: 13.5x19 inches
** For 16x26 insert: 15.5x25 inches
** For 16x16 insert: 15.5x15.5 inches
** For 18x18 insert: 17x17 inches
** For 20x20 insert: 19x19 inches
** For 22x22 insert: 20.5x20.5 inches
** For 24x24 insert: 22x22 inches
** For 26x26 insert: 24x24 inches
► TIP: If you have an old cover that fits your insert well, flip it inside out and measure it following these directions. Compare your measurements to those posted above and choose the most similar size. If you want an exact copy of your old cover, it can be custom made for you as well. Please see below.
 The posted measurements are taken at the interior midpoints with the cover flipped inside out. Because your insert is put inside the cover, the interior dimensions control the fit.  Pillow cover has tapered shaping so please do not measure the cover from corner to corner.
► FOR HEAVYWEIGHT FABRICS, COVER DIMENSIONS MAY BE AN ADDITIONAL 1/2" to 1" SMALLER THAN STATED ABOVE TO ACHIEVE A FULL COMPLETE APPEARANCE.

How do I measure my insert for best accuracy?

Insert manufacturers sell inserts by their height x width *before* putting in filling. Therefore, the most accurate way to measure them is along a seam line from corner to corner, using a flexible tape measure, while pulling the seam straight. Never measure an insert across the belly because you could get a measurement 1 to 2 inches too small, especially if you are using a rigid ruler. Additionally, make sure you are measuring your bare insert without any cover. A cover squeezes the insert into a smaller shape, resulting in too small a measurement. I assume that you are using an average insert with normal compressible fill such as feather/down, synthetic down or polyfil (not memory foam, upholstery foam, latex, overfilled, or in a non-removable pillow cover). Please notify me if your insert does not meet these conditions.
How to measure insert


Why do you size your covers by the insert size?

For people unfamiliar with pillow construction, it is often counter intuitive that pillow covers need to be sized smaller than their inserts. For the smallest sizes, it is ½ inch smaller, and for the largest sizes it is 2 to 3 inches smaller. How much smaller a cover has to be depends also on the fabric thickness. For example, heavy upholstery fabrics put more weight on the insert, so the cover needs to be made even smaller for the insert to properly fill out the heavy cover. I take all the headache and guesswork out of it by sizing the cover correctly for you. All you need to do is tell me your insert size (measure with the cover off please!) and I will take it from there.
This means:
If you have a 20x20 insert, you should buy “Fits 20x20 insert”
If you have a 22x22 insert, you should buy “Fits 22x22 insert”
And so on and so forth.
I assume that you are using an insert in good condition. If the filling of your insert is old, lumpy or do not bounce back when compressed, these are signs that you should replace your old inserts for best finished results. I also assume that your insert has compressible filling (e.g. not upholstery foam or memory foam).
WARNING: If you intend to reuse a pillow with a non-removable cover as your insert, I strongly recommend against doing so, especially if your pillow has any fringe or braid trim, ruching or decorative elements. When you put a second cover over the first, the final result is almost always lumpy and the corners will not turn out sharply. Imagine you are wearing a winter coat, and you are trying to put a second coat on over the first coat. The second coat cannot be smaller than the first. Therefore, in this situation, please alert me immediately because the posted sizing does not apply to you.


Why are your pillow covers not perfectly square and why do they have tapered corners?

This "trick of the trade" results in a professional, custom pillow fit that will make whatever insert you use look its very best. When laid flat, my pillow covers appears to have gently curved sides that will straighten out when filled with an insert. This feature is often requested by interior designers because it corrects a pillow insert's tendency to be understuffed at the corners by making the corners more form-fitting. Imagine putting a rounded object in a square bag. It will not fit as well as a bag that is contoured. It may be a bit surprising, but for the finished pillow to look square, its cover cannot be made perfectly square. You can often identify pillows missing this professional feature by their droopy dog-eared or long pointy corners. The more rounded your insert, the greater the distortion. Take a look at the photos below and check out the difference!

Making pillow covers this way takes more time and care, but the result is absolutely worth it! Because of the contoured shaping, all measurements are taken across the middle of the cover and not from corner to corner.

I ordered 2 pillow covers for the same insert size, one in a heavy velvet fabric and the other in a light printed cotton. Why is one of them slightly smaller than the other?

For pillow covers made with heavy or stiff upholstery fabrics, such as velvets, it is necessary to make the pillow covers an extra 1/2 to 1 inch smaller than for lighter weight fabrics, in order for the finished pillow to look full. This is because these heavy fabrics put more pressure on the insert, and so to get the same fullness, the cover needs to be made even smaller. 

Think of it this way: if you are wearing a light drapey cotton cardigan, will you look the same as when you wear a heavy, thick stiff velvet coat? To really show your curves in the velvet coat, you will need to wear a smaller, tighter size to get the heavier fabric to conform to your body. The same reasoning applies to pillows.

The good thing here is that there is no guesswork on your part! Because we make our pillow covers to fit your insert size, and we test each cover on real inserts before shipping, we do all the necessary size adjustments to get you the best, most perfect pillow fit possible, no matter which fabric you choose. 

Here's a photo demonstration of this concept:

Let's start with a 16x26 insert, with 35 ounces of feather fill.
Normally, as per our standard size chart, for a 16"x26" insert, the cover will be made 15.5" x 25" across the middle. However, for heavy upholstery velvets, like this pillow cover below, it is made an extra 1/2" smaller, at 15" x 24.5" for the best result.
 
Please be aware that we do take all measurements across the middle of the cover where it is widest. Because each pillow cover has a contoured shape (corners are tapered and the sides are slightly curved), the measurement across the edge is always about an inch or two smaller. For this reason, please do not measure along the edge.
By making each cover this way, the finished, stuffed pillow is full, with no saggy corners or edges, just like you would see in interior design magazines. See the finished result in the two photos below:
Now, compare versus the above example, here is the same fabric made into a 16x26 cover. This one is 1 inch taller and 1.5 inch wider than the cover pictured above.
Now, let's put in the same insert to see how it looks.
Notice how this finished pillow has a saggy look. Both the top and the sides have loose fabric, even though the insert is 16x26 and the cover is 16x26. This looseness is especially apparent at the corners and sides.

Can you duplicate the size of my old cover for me?

Yes of course! In fact for non-standard insert sizes, copying the dimensions of your old cover is often the best way to ensure the new cover made will fit well. Here's how to measure properly: Turn your old cover inside out and measure where the inner stitching lines are. If the edges are finished with an overlock stitch (looks like a zig zag stitch), look for the innermost line of straight stitch (looks like ------------) and measure from there. Measure across the middle and also at the sides to verify it's a square or rectangle with 90 degree corners. If the corners are tapered, the middle measurement will be bigger than the length of the side seams. Please submit this information through our custom order form.

How do I know what size pillow will look good on my sofa?

Please review the pillow sizing guide which will help you choose an appropriate size for your furniture. The Sizing Guide has links to photos of how each size pillow looks on a typical 2 or 3 seat sofa to help you visualize the different sizes. Keep in mind that the pillow covers dimensions are of the flat 2-dimensional cover. Once you fill it with an insert, some of the height and width of the flat cover will wrap around the curve of the 3-dimensional insert. This means that visually speaking, the 3-dimensional stuffed pillow will not translate inch for inch from the size of the 2-dimensional cover, but will look smaller. Therefore, err on the side of ordering a larger size if you are on the fence between two sizes.

I am not sure if the fabric I chose will match other items in my room. What can I do?

Please purchase a fabric swatch if color matching is necessary or for non-returnable special order fabrics. I am also happy to take photos of several fabrics against each other so that you can compare the colors of different patterns before you make a purchase. Keep in mind that even the best photo is no substitute for a fabric sample, which will allow you to judge a fabric's texture and color with 100% accuracy under your room's lighting. To avoid disappointment, all customers are strongly encouraged to order a swatch before submitting an order.


What do you mean by "pattern placement varies from pillow to pillow"?

It means that each side of a pillow cover may be cut from different parts of the fabric pattern, so that the portion of the pattern shown will not be identical. Typically home decor fabrics are 54 inches wide and has a vertical pattern repeat that is differs from pattern to pattern. Generally speaking, on pictorial, floral or abstract prints, each pillow cover will show a unique section of the fabric. On geometric prints, we do try to center the pattern as much as possible and if a pair of geometric covers are purchased, we will make best efforts to match the cuts. If you need the pattern placed a certain way or if an identical matched pair is essential, please inquire prior to purchase to make sure the fabric on hand can accommodate (additional charge may apply depending on fabric requirements).

Since the cover is smaller than my insert, what is the easiest way to put it in?

The easiest way to put the insert into the cover is to fold the insert in half like a taco while squeezing as much of the air out. While holding the folded insert with one hand, use your other hand to pull the cover over the insert. Then reach inside and match the corners of the insert to the corners of the cover. Match up the seams too so your insert isn't twisted. Zip up the cover while pushing the insert away from the zipper so that nothing gets caught in the zipper. Finally, punch the pillow a few times to even out and fluff up the filling. Enjoy!!

What is your turnaround time?

Pillow covers made from in-stock fabrics typically ship in 3-5 business days. Pillow covers made from special order fabrics typically ship in 7-10 business days.

Are you able to make pillow covers in other sizes and/or with custom features like piping, fringe or braided cording?

Yes, please contact us for a price quote.

Where are your pillow covers made?

All of Aloriam's pillow covers are made in our workshop located about an hour northeast of Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Each pillow cover is cut by hand individually and sewn with care. Seams are double stitched and cleanly finished. The invisible zippers are professionally installed so that they disappear into the bottom seam once closed. Once you see the craftsmanship of our pillow covers, you will have a hard time going back to mass produced varieties!  As one of our customers Rachel said, our pillow covers are "Flawlessly made, and a lot better quality than brands [she] normally shops like Pottery Barn and Restoration Hardware."  To see more of the praise our products have received, please check out our feedback page.

What are your store policies regarding returns and exchanges?

Please see our store policies posted here.

Uh oh, the pillow cover I received is too small or too big. Can you help me troubleshoot the issue?

All of our pillow covers are tested on the respective inserts before they are shipped out to you. Feather/down and synthetic down inserts are used for testing. Keep in mind that the posted measurements are taken at the interior midpoints with the cover flipped inside out. Because your insert is put inside the cover, the interior dimensions control the fit.  Do not measure the cover from the outside or from corner to corner which would give you an inaccurate (too small) reading because fabric curls into the seams and the cover corners are tapered. Additionally, heavy upholstery fabrics may require that the cover be made an extra 1/2" to 1" smaller than the posted dimensions for the finished pillow to look full.

If the cover doesn't fit, there could be several causes:

i) Did you order the correct size?

► Did you order by your insert size? If not, please see this FAQ.

► Did you measure your bare insert without a cover along a seam line? If not, please see this FAQ.

Are you using an insert with compressible fill (e.g. not memory foam, upholstery foam, latex or overfilled)? The average insert easily compresses at least 10% to 15%.  If yours does not, you may need a larger size cover. Please see this FAQ.

Are you using a pillow with a non-removable cover as your insert? If yes, please see this FAQ.

 If you have an old cover that fits your insert well, flip it inside out and measure it following these directions. If there is a material difference between your measurements and the dimensions posted in our sizing diagram, you did not order the correct size.

ii) Are you following the method described above as the easiest way to put in your insert? If not, please see this FAQ.

Please contact us to work out any fit problem that is not addressed above. If your pillow cover is made from an in-stock (not special order) fabric, you can return and exchange your order for a different size within 14 days subject to our store policies posted here.

I don't know how to create an attractive pillow grouping for my room renovation. Can you help put together something for me?

Due to time constraints, I may not be able to respond to every individual design inquiry. I am working to add coordinating patterns for each pillow to this site, but this project is an ongoing one. If you can, send me a photo of your room or pictures of a room with the look you are going for. I may be able to make some suggestions if time permits, and if not, refer you to a design professional who can advise you. If you truly have no idea where to start, hiring a designer who can coordinate your furniture with accessories and hardware, paint color, etc. to manifest a cohesive vision may be the best way forward.

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