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Bettesworth Construction
cotton

Best Fabric for Pillow Covers: How to Choose the Right Material

The best fabric depends on how a pillow cover will be used. Compare cotton, linen, velvet, and other textures, then check the product’s care and exposure instructions.

By Bettesworth Construction Team 4 min read
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There is no single best fabric for every pillow cover. Cotton is a versatile starting point for everyday decorative covers; linen suits a naturally textured, relaxed look; velvet adds plushness and rich color; and outdoor cushions call for products specifically designed and labeled for outdoor use. Choose based on how the pillow will be used, how it should feel and look, and what its care label requires.

How to choose a fabric for your pillow cover

Start with the pillow’s job rather than a generic ranking. A cushion used often on a sofa may need a different balance of feel, appearance, and care from a decorative bed pillow, a sewing project, or a cushion exposed to outdoor conditions.

  • Use and contact: Consider how often people will sit against or handle the pillow.
  • Feel and appearance: Decide whether you want a smooth, relaxed, plush, or visibly textured surface.
  • Exposure: For outdoor use, choose a product explicitly intended for it; a fiber name by itself does not establish weather resistance.
  • Care: Check the cover’s fiber-content and care labels, especially if you expect to wash it often.
  • Construction: Check whether the cover is removable or lined, as well as its weave, weight, and closure.

These are practical selection factors, not a measured performance ranking. One Affirmation’s seller guide and McGee & Co.’s retailer guide offer material advice, but neither provides an independently conducted comparison or a standardized durability figure.

How common pillow-cover fabrics compare

Material Best suited to Trade-offs and checks
Cotton A familiar, flexible choice for everyday decorative covers. McGee & Co. describes cotton as balancing softness and durability. The word “cotton” does not specify weave, weight, finish, or wash instructions. Check the individual cover’s label; not every cotton cover is necessarily machine washable.
Linen A natural, slubbed texture and relaxed appearance. One Affirmation describes linen as breathable and notes that it wrinkles easily; McGee & Co. describes it as durable. Expect a more relaxed, creased look. Strength, softness, and care depend on the fabric’s construction and any blend. Check fiber content rather than relying on a title such as “linen look.”
Velvet A plush hand, visual depth, and saturated color for a decorative accent. Care varies with the velvet’s fiber and finish. Follow the specific product instructions rather than assuming all velvet is delicate or washable.
Polyester and performance textiles Potential options for performance-oriented or indoor/outdoor use when the actual product is labeled for that purpose. McGee & Co.’s claims about resistance to outdoor-related conditions concern its own synthetic-fiber products; they do not establish that every polyester textile has those properties. Check the product’s intended use and exposure guidance.
Chenille, bouclé, and faux fur Tactile contrast and a cozy decorative look. These are aesthetic suggestions, not a comparative assessment of wear or cleaning performance. Check the specific product’s care label.

Choose by the look and use you want

For a flexible everyday cover

Start with cotton, then compare the actual cover’s weave, weight, closure, and care label. The description of cotton as soft and durable is retailer guidance, not independent comparative data.

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#1 Best Overall
Simplicity S9530 Decorative Pillow & Pillowcase Sewing Pattern, Three Pillow Sizes with Appliqué Options, One Size
  • PATTERN S9530 SIZING: Simplicity one-size pattern includes decorative pillows designed for a comfortable, adjustable fit. Check the finished measurements on the envelope before cutting so your make turns out just right.
  • IN THE ENVELOPE: Printed tissue pattern pieces and clear step-by-step illustrated sewing instructions guide you from start to finish. The envelope also lists the suggested fabrics and the notions you need, so you can shop for materials with confidence.
  • AMERICAN SEWING HERITAGE: An American sewing icon since 1927 and proudly made in the USA, Simplicity has been trusted by home sewists for nearly a century for accurate, easy-to-follow sewing patterns.
  • MAKE IT UNIQUELY YOURS: Create custom pieces using your favorite fabrics, prints, trims, and embellishments. Personalize your pillow to reflect your style, or use the cover photos as inspiration for handmade makes that are truly your own.
  • EASY AND REWARDING TO SEW: A satisfying sewing project for beginner and intermediate sewists, perfect for home refreshes, housewarming gifts, seasonal decorating, and handmade presents.

For a naturally textured, relaxed look

Consider linen or a linen blend if you like visible texture and do not mind wrinkles. Confirm the fiber blend on the label: a product described as “linen look” may not be linen.

For a plush accent

Choose velvet for its texture and visual depth, and check the care instructions before buying. Its fiber and finish affect how it should be maintained.

Rank #2
Sale
Simplicity 8225 Easy to Sew DIY Pillow Sewing Pattern, 8 Styles
  • Includes sewing templates and easy instructions to sew (8) different types of decorative pillows.
  • Completed DIY pillows measure from 12'' x 16'' to 18'' x 18''.
  • Create cool home décor as you learn to sew with this beginner's sewing pattern!
  • Customize your DIY pillows with fun prints and colors! Fabric suggestions for this pillow sewing pattern include velvet, sateen, brocade, linen, and more.
  • Simplicity 8225 pillow sewing pattern for beginners is proudly made in the USA with instructions available in English, Spanish, and French.

For an outdoor cushion

Choose a cover or pillow expressly presented for outdoor use and follow its exposure and storage directions. McGee & Co. recommends bringing its own indoor/outdoor pillows inside during inclement weather. That advice applies to the company’s products, not to every outdoor pillow.

For a sewing project

Use these material categories as a shortlist, then check the fabric’s composition, construction, and stated intended use. There is no universal weight or abrasion threshold established here for all pillow covers.

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Rank #3
Sale
Simplicity S9574 Decorative Pillow Sewing Pattern, Sizes 12" x 22", 14" x 14" & 20" x 20"
  • PATTERN S9574 SIZING: Simplicity one-size pattern includes decorative pillows designed for a comfortable, adjustable fit. Check the finished measurements on the envelope before cutting so your make turns out just right.
  • IN THE ENVELOPE: Printed tissue pattern pieces and clear step-by-step illustrated sewing instructions guide you from start to finish. The envelope also lists the suggested fabrics and the notions you need, so you can shop for materials with confidence.
  • AMERICAN SEWING HERITAGE: An American sewing icon since 1927 and proudly made in the USA, Simplicity has been trusted by home sewists for nearly a century for accurate, easy-to-follow sewing patterns.
  • MAKE IT UNIQUELY YOURS: Create custom pieces using your favorite fabrics, prints, trims, and embellishments. Personalize your pillow to reflect your style, or use the cover photos as inspiration for handmade makes that are truly your own.
  • EASY AND REWARDING TO SEW: A satisfying sewing project for beginner and intermediate sewists, perfect for home refreshes, housewarming gifts, seasonal decorating, and handmade presents.

Care depends on the individual cover

One Affirmation’s general seller guidance is to follow the label, wash cotton and linen in cool water with gentle detergent, and brush or dry-clean velvet when needed. Treat that as general advice, not a substitute for the instructions on your specific cover.

Blends, weaves, backings, dyes, linings, and finishes can change care requirements. Neither retailer guide establishes one wash protocol that applies to every pillow cover, so use the product’s own fiber-content and care labels as the deciding reference.

Rank #4
Simplicity Vintage 5581119001 Retro Sewing Pattern Artwork Universal Sewing Machine Dust Cover, 25" x 22"
  • Packages includes (1) cover for sewing machines with a utility storage pocket.
  • Cover measures 25" L x 22" W.
  • Designed with original vintage Simplicity pattern artwork, use this trendy sewing machine cover for any brand of sewing machine.
  • Cover stays in place with adjustable tie-ends, and is designed with a utility pocket that can hold scissors, pens and pencils, pin holders, and other sewing supplies.
  • Doubles as a no-slip placemat that you can place your sewing machine on while you work.
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What the available guidance can—and cannot—tell you

The material suggestions above come from commercially authored guides: One Affirmation’s guide to fabrics for decorative pillow covers and McGee & Co.’s guide to pillows. They are useful for understanding common aesthetic and practical trade-offs, but they are not independent fabric tests. Neither supplies a dated, standardized comparison of durability, wash-cycle life, or abrasion performance.

Quick Recap

SaleBestseller No. 2
Simplicity 8225 Easy to Sew DIY Pillow Sewing Pattern, 8 Styles
Simplicity 8225 Easy to Sew DIY Pillow Sewing Pattern, 8 Styles
Completed DIY pillows measure from 12'' x 16'' to 18'' x 18''.; Create cool home décor as you learn to sew with this beginner's sewing pattern!
$7.99
Bestseller No. 4
Simplicity Vintage 5581119001 Retro Sewing Pattern Artwork Universal Sewing Machine Dust Cover, 25' x 22'
Simplicity Vintage 5581119001 Retro Sewing Pattern Artwork Universal Sewing Machine Dust Cover, 25" x 22"
Packages includes (1) cover for sewing machines with a utility storage pocket.; Cover measures 25" L x 22" W.
$17.95
Best Value
GZYLCH 5.2 ft DIY Fabric Mannequin Cover, Full-Length Unfilled Plush Sewing Form for Clothing Display, Craft Projects, Costume Styling and Decorative Use, Cotton Filling Not Included
  • DIY Fabric Craft Form:Create a full-length fabric display form for sewing, costume styling, apparel display, craft projects, or decorative use. The cover is shipped unfilled, allowing you to add suitable cotton or polyester fiberfill based on your project needs.This product is intended for use or purchase by individuals aged 18 or older.
  • Soft Micro-Elastic Fabric:Made with soft micro-elastic fabric that offers a smooth touch and flexible shaping after filling. The material is designed for craft, display, and decorative applications.
  • Adjustable Filling Design:The unfilled cover lets you control firmness and shape by adding your preferred filling material. Cotton or polyester fiberfill is recommended. Filling is not included.
  • Suitable for Clothing Display:The full-length design can be dressed with casual outfits, costumes, or accessories, making it useful as a lightweight display form for clothing photography, craft rooms, sewing projects, or themed decoration.
  • Protective Shipping Package:Packed in a plain protective cardboard box to help keep the item clean during transit. Please note: this product includes the fabric cover only; clothing, accessories, and filling are not included.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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