Pillow Design Glossary

Purchasing pillows seems like a relatively simple activity, until you come across some unusual terms. For example, what are tufted pillows? What does it mean when a pillow is "flanged," and what is a French back closure? If these are some of the questions circling through your head, you've come to the right place! Learn the many design terms referring to pillows, so you can be 100% certain of what you're getting when you order a few for your home. Types of Pillows Pillow Guide Button Closure Button Tuft Flanged French Back Closure Fringe Piped Quilted Reversible Ruched Scalloped Edge Self-Covered Shirred Gusset Shirred Side Gusset Tailored Vermicelli Welting Zipper Closure

Button Closure The opening on a sham where a stuffer pillow is inserted, then held inside with buttons and button holes.

Button Tuft (Tufted Pillow) An indentation in the center of a pillow that is secured by a button.

Flanged Wide, flat trim that extends off the edges of a pillow on all sides.

French Back Closure A flap centered on the back of a sham or pillowcase where the pillow is inserted.

Fringe (Fringe Pillow) Loose or knotted threads that decorate the outside edges of a pillow.

Piped (Piping, Welting) A decorative border formed by a cloth-covered cord; piping finishes the outside edges of a sham or pillow.

Quilting (Quilted Pillow) Stitched designs that serve three purposes: holding batting in place, binding fabric layers together, and providing decorative flair to the pillow or sham.

Reversible Pillows or shams that can be displayed front or back.

Scalloped Edge A decorative border that creates a series of curves or waves around all four sides of the pillow or sham.

Self-Covered Button A button covered with the same color and print of fabric as the pillow overall.

Side Gusset (Gusset Pillow, Shirred Gusset) Narrow band of material that connects the top and bottom faces of a pillow; the gusset encircles the entire pillow and provides depth.

Shirred (Ruched) A decorative element created when fabric is bunched by several rows of parallel-running stitches.

Tailored A design that describes pillows with a crisp edge and neat right angles at each corner.

Vermicelli (Vermicelli-Quilted) A kind of stitch pattern that involves a continuous, meandering design; the pattern never crosses over itself.

Zipper Closure The opening on a sham where a stuffer pillow is inserted, then closed inside by a zipper.