Online Sales, Fabrication, & Design Services FAQs
If your question is not addressed please Get in Touch for assistance.
General Questions
Whether you're choosing the perfect pillow insert, wondering how pattern placement works, or exploring our pillow cover customization options, you're in the right place.
These FAQs cover all things custom throw pillows, fabric selection, custom sizing, and how to get throw pillows made in your own fabric. They also include questions on our custom home furnishings fabrication and design services.
👉 Shopping in person or scheduling a Discovery Meeting, Personal Shopping Appointment, or Fabric or Design Consulation? Be sure to also check out our Greensboro Studio Guide & Local Services FAQs for helpful tips about visiting our Greensboro studio.
At Melissa Creech Designs, our pillows aren’t mass-produced—they’re thoughtfully designed and made with a designer’s eye, small-batch intent and craftsmanship you simply won’t find in chain stores.
From expert pattern placement to versatile fabric selections, every pillow is created with purpose. We design mix-and-match collections that let you build your own story over time—combining styles that feel personal, layered and fresh. Many of the fabrics, combinations and trims we use aren’t available in retail stores, which means your home won’t look like everyone else’s.
With over 20 years of experience creating custom decorative throw pillows and luxury soft furnishings, we understand how to balance style with real-life practicality. Whether it’s pet-friendly performance fabrics or classic designs that transition through life stages, we aim to make design that works for the way you actually live.
Most of our clients come through referrals and word of mouth. Many are repeat customers we’ve worked with across homes, families, and life chapters—and we love helping their spaces grow along with them. Our client base includes design-savvy homeowners, second-home owners (think mountain, lake, and beach houses), and those furnishing first homes for college students or young adults.
We specialize in designs that hold up beautifully in homes with pets, kids, and grandkids—and we believe truly custom design starts with the individual, not what’s already been done. If it’s already been done, it was done for someone else—and that’s exactly the point. Our custom designs start with you, your home, and your why.
Want to know more? Learn about our story, our design philosophy, and what we offer → Check out About Melissa Creech Designs.
We make custom throw pillows in Greensboro, NC.
We sell custom throw pillows, pillow inserts, throw blankets, designer fabric, and trims at our studio in Greensboro, NC.
In addition to designer decorative throw pillows, we handcraft luxury custom home furnishings in our Greensboro, NC studio.
Discovery Meetings, Personal Shopping Appointments, Fabric Consultations, and Handcrafted Custom Home Furnishings Design consultations take place in our Greensboro studio by appointment.
In-home measuring & design consultations are available for local clients throughout the NC Triad including Greensboro, High Point, Winston-Salem and surrounding areas.
Yes! Many of our clients live outside the immediate area. If you’re in driving
distance or visit Greensboro occasionally, we can work together in person and then continue the process remotely with swatches and photos.
We also offer virtual design consults and ship nationwide, so no matter where your home is, we can help.
What's available for nationwide shipping: Throw pillows and smaller home furnishings ship safely to clients anywhere. Larger items—window treatments, over-sized seat cushions for built-in spaces—are available for local pickup. We'll confirm what's feasible for your specific project when we connect.
Please Get in Touch to discuss your design needs.
Yes! Gift cards are available in multiple denominations and can be used for ready-made pillows, design appointments, or custom work.
Give Melissa Creech Designs Gift Cards.
Perfect for housewarming, newlyweds or design enthusiasts.
Pillow Cover Selection
For recommendations on pillow selection, sizing and arrangement check out
our helpful resources:
• Pillow Insert and Cover Recommendations
• How-to Guides
• Blog
Pillow inserts are sold separately. We offer a curated selection of premium
feather/down and hypoallergenic down alternative inserts in standard and custom sizes. Check out our Pillow Insert Collection.
Swatches are available and encouraged to ensure you love the color and texture of the fabric prior to ordering your custom pillow covers.
Swatches are not available for limited availability fabrics and special-order fabrics. Additionally, some fabrics cannot be sampled if we only have minimal yardage remaining.
Swatch orders are processed weekly and shipped via USPS.
Currently, we do not offer delivery to international addresses.
If you are unsure about the color(s) in a particular pillow cover and swatches are not available for the fabric, please Get in Touch to request a color match. Send us the pillow cover name and we can color match the fabric to the closest Sherwin-Williams paint color(s).
When fabric samples aren't possible, ordering a free Sherwin-Williams paint sample is a great alternative way to gauge the colors in our fabrics. And who knows, maybe you'll discover a new favorite paint color in the process.
If you are unsure about the color(s) in a particular pillow cover and swatches are not available for the fabric, please Get in Touch to request a color match. Send us the pillow cover name and we can color match the fabric to the closest Sherwin-Williams paint color(s).
When fabric samples aren't possible, ordering a free Sherwin-Williams paint sample is a great alternative way to gauge the colors in our fabrics. And who knows, maybe you'll discover a new favorite paint color in the process.
Pattern placement may vary from the product image and may vary on each pillow cover ordered. Pattern placement may be different on the front and back of each pillow cover.
If you have a specific pattern preference or need multiple pillow covers to have identical pattern placement please Get in Touch for assistance.
We encourage you to order the total number of pillows desired all at the same time. If you want the same pattern placement on multiple pillows or the same pattern placement on the front and back of a single pillow please be sure to indicate that.
Please Get in Touch, if you have any additional questions on pattern placement or if you know you need multiple pillow covers yet are unable to order all of them at the same time.
Pattern placement may vary from the product image and may vary on each pillow cover ordered. Pattern placement may be different on the front and back of each pillow cover.
If you have a specific pattern preference or need multiple pillow covers to have identical pattern placement please Get in Touch for assistance.
We encourage you to order the total number of pillows desired all at the same time. If you want the same pattern placement on multiple pillows or the same pattern placement on the front and back of a single pillow please be sure to indicate that.
Please Get in Touch, if you have any additional questions on pattern placement or if you know you need multiple pillow covers yet are unable to order all of them at the same time.
Typically, we can change out the color or type of fabric utilized on the back side of a pillow cover to suit your needs. Depending on the fabric involved there may be a difference in the pillow price.
If you would like a different fabric (one of our fabrics or your own fabric) on the back of your pillow cover, please Get in Touch for assistance.
Pattern placement may vary from the product image and may vary on each pillow cover ordered. Pattern placement may be different on the front and back of each pillow cover.
If you have a specific pattern preference or need multiple pillow covers to have identical pattern placement please share Get in Touch for assistance.
We encourage you to order the total number of pillows desired all at the same time. If you want the same pattern placement on multiple pillows or the same pattern placement on the front and back of a single pillow you need to indicate that.
Please Get in Touch, if you have any additional questions on pattern placement or if you know you need multiple pillow covers yet are unable to order all of them at the same time.
We encourage you to order the total number of pillows desired all at the same time to avoid the possibility of differences in fabric dye lots and/or in the backing utilized.
Backing (i.e., the fabric used on the back of the pillow) utilized may differ over time due to fabric supply. We encourage you to order the total number of pillows desired all at the same time to avoid the possibility of differences in the backing utilized.
When manufacturers print fabric there can be small, yet noticeable differences in the shade and depth of colors (a.k.a. fabric dye lot). We encourage you to order the total number of pillows desired all at the same time to avoid the possibility of slight differences in colors due to dye lot variation.
Please Get in Touch if you have any additional questions on ordering multiples of the same pillow cover or if you know you need multiple pillow covers yet are unable to order all of them at the same time.
Yes! With a Personal Shopping Appointment or Discovery Meeting, you receive personalized pillow recommendations and guidance on how to integrate pillows into your spaces and your existing or planned décor.
If you have us make custom throw pillows using your fabric or ours, we discuss how to build cohesive pillow combinations and how to arrange throw pillows before we make your throw pillows.
We offer one-on-one throw pillow styling sessions by appointment at our Greensboro studio. Get advice from our pillow designer on pillow sizing, fabric selection, and how to arrange throw pillows for both comfort and aesthetics.
During your Personal Shopping Appointment, you'll be able to shop our entire pillow collection with our pillow designer. Learn how to mix fabrics and layer patterns and textures.
If you want to have us make custom throw pillows, we cover fabric selection and building mix and match throw pillow combinations during your Discovery Meeting.
Want to learn more on throw pillow styling and building throw pillow combinations?
Submit our short interest form and get our free quick-start guide showing how to mix patterns and layer sectional throw pillows.
→ Share your interest in Design Chats
→ Learn About: Design Chats
Live outside the NC Triad area or otherwise can't visit our Greensboro studio?
→ Get in Touch to discuss how we can help with your throw pillow needs.
→ Check out our Digital Mock-ups service which shows throw pillow and fabric selections in photos of your room.
Pillow Cover Sizing & Customization
For recommendations on pillow selection, sizing and arrangement check out
our helpful resources:
• Pillow Insert and Cover Recommendations
• How-to Guides
• Blog
See our Customize Our Pillow Designs service for our pillow cover customization options.
Need help?
Want personalized pillow recommendations and guidance on how to integrate pillows into your existing décor?
Schedule a Personal Shopping Appointment or Discovery Meeting.
If you have us make custom throw pillows using your fabric or ours, we discuss how to build cohesive pillow combinations and how to arrange throw pillows before we make your throw pillows.
Can't visit our Greensboro studio in person? Get in Touch to discuss virtual pillow design consultation options.
All pillow cover sizes on our website indicate the actual dimensions of the pillow cover, which is also known as the finished size.
All pillow covers require a larger pillow insert to achieve a proper fit and an attractive finished pillow. For a full, designer-style look, we recommend using inserts that are 2–4 inches larger than the cover. For example, a
20" x 20" cover works best with a 22" or 24" insert.
When measuring, we round up to the nearest whole inch so the actual pillow cover dimensions may be up to 3/4 inch smaller.
• To measure the dimensions of a pillow cover, turn the pillow cover inside out and measure from interior seam to interior seam.
• For this seam-to-seam measurement, be sure to use the straight stitch seam which looks like a straight line, not the serged edge of the fabric which has a zig-zag pattern.
Yes, our pillow covers are made-to-order, and most can be made in other sizes.
Learn more about our Customize Our Pillow Designs service.
Yes, we offer custom decorative bolster pillows, handcrafted to order and available with either a fiber or feather insert (sold separately). These are designed as accent pillows for beds, benches, and sofas—not as support or yoga bolsters.
Our clients love using bolster pillows to add structure, dimension, and a designer touch to their spaces. Whether styled with other pillows or used as a bold standalone piece, bolsters are one of the most versatile accents we offer.
Check out Customize Our Pillow Designs & Custom Throw Pillows Made with Your Fabric or Ours for our pillow cover customization and fabrication options.
Yes, our pillow covers are made-to-order, and most can be made in other sizes and completely customized.
Customization options:
• pillow size
• pillow shape
• fabric combination for front & back sides of pillow
• ¼” flange
• self-cording or contrasting cording
• addition of decorative fabric border or tape trim
• addition of Customer’s Own Materials (COM) trim
To learn more about this service go to
Request a Quote or Get in Touch to get started. Once we confirm your fabric, details, and measurements, we’ll send quote and an estimated timeline.
To learn more about custom services check out:
Custom Throw Pillows Made with Your Fabric or Ours
Handcrafted Custom Home Furnishing Design Services
For custom pillows in your own fabric you can share your pillow specifications on our Custom Throw Pillows Made with Your Fabric or Ours Quote Request Form to request a quote.
Our lead time is typically 1-3 weeks and fluctuates with order volume. Most made-to-order custom throw pillows take 2-4 weeks from final approval to completion—for example, a three-pillow or five-pillow combination typically takes 2-3 weeks. Customer's Own Material (COM) projects and projects requiring sourced materials begin timing once we receive everything in our studio.
Rush services are available when our schedule permits.
The size options for some pillows might be limited since not every fabric pattern lends itself to every pillow size. Large patterns can look quite different on small pillows.
Some pillows are only available in limited size options due to our fabric stock and our ability to re-order or re-supply the fabric. A few of our pillows are made with rare finds of hard to source, discontinued or out-of-stock fabrics.
Want a specific size not listed? Check out our Customize Our Pillow Designs service or Get in Touch for assistance.
No, we currently do not offer monogramming service.
Yes, we you can bring or send you own fabric. We accept all types of fabric with our Customer’s Own Material (COM) pillow service: Custom Throw Pillows Made with Your Fabric or Ours.
Local clients can bring materials for a complimentary evaluation during a Discovery Meeting.
Remote clients receive preliminary assessment guidance before shipping their materials. Get in Touch
Want to evaluate fabric on your own first?
→ Get your
free Fabric Quality Evaluation Cheat Sheet—a 1-page guide covering
what to look for before you bring or ship fabric to us. Covers quality indicators, yardage requirements, pattern matching, and when remnants and seconds are real deals. Get Your Cheat Sheet
Pillow Inserts
For recommendations on types of pillow inserts and insert sizing, check out
our helpful resources:
• Pillow Insert and Cover Recommendations
• Pillow Insert Type Guide
• Pillow Insert Sizing Guide
• Blog
No, pillow inserts do not come with our pillow covers.
Pillow inserts are sold separately. We offer a curated selection of premium
feather down and hypoallergenic down alternative inserts in standard and custom sizes.
Check out our Pillow Insert Collection.
Yes, we offer a curated selection of premium feather down and hypoallergenic down alternative inserts in standard and custom sizes.
Check out our Pillow Insert Collection.
All pillow cover sizes on our website indicate the actual dimensions of the pillow cover, which is also known as the finished size.
All pillow covers require a larger pillow insert to achieve a proper fit and an attractive finished pillow. For a full, designer-style look, we typically recommend sizing up 2–4 inches larger than your pillow cover for square pillows — for example, a 20x20" cover should be filled with a 22x22" or even 24x24" insert depending on your desired fullness.
When measuring, we round up to the nearest whole inch so the actual pillow cover dimensions may be up to 3/4 inch smaller.
• To measure the dimensions of a pillow cover, turn the pillow cover inside out and measure from interior seam to interior seam.
• For this seam-to-seam measurement, be sure to use the straight stitch seam which looks like a straight line, not the serged edge of the fabric which has a zig-zag pattern.
Wondering how to achieve the designer look? High quality, correctly sized pillow inserts make all the difference in the look and feel of your pillows. Our handcrafted pillow covers are the most beautiful when filled to perfection — sumptuously plump inserts create that high-end designer appearance, hold the iconic karate chop look beautifully, and allow you to sink into them while still feeling supported.
Need help choosing? Visit our Pillow Insert Sizing Guide for guidance and visual examples, then shop our Pillow Insert Collection.
The type of pillow insert you want depends on personal preference, as well as how and where the pillow insert will be used. We love the relaxed feel of feather down or synthetic down alternative inserts.
The insert type depends on the look you want and how the pillow will be used. We offer guidance in our Pillow Insert Type Guide, but here’s a quick overview:
All inserts are not created equally—we recommend generously filled inserts sized 2–4 inches larger than your pillow cover for a plump, supportive result.
Shop our Pillow Insert Collection.
If you already have pillow inserts that you would like to use with our custom pillow covers, please be sure you know the actual size of your pillow inserts prior to placing your pillow cover order.
If you are not sure of the dimensions of your pillow inserts, here are two ways to determine the dimensions:
1. Measure the girth of each pillow insert by wrapping a measuring tape around the middle of the pillow insert. Be sure not to cinch the pillow insert while you are measuring. If your insert is a rectangle then you will need to measure the girth lengthwise and again heightwise. For square pillow inserts, the girth should be the same whichever way you measure it. Divide the girth measurement(s) by 2 to determine the size of each pillow insert.
2. To doublecheck the dimensions you determined using the girth measurement method, hold the corners of each pillow insert taut and measure the length of each side.
Fabric & Custom Home Furnishings
Cut yardage is available for select in-stock fabrics.
Some limited-availability or special-order fabrics are not available by the
yard. Please Get in Touch to inquire about specific fabric availability.
If you're local to the NC Triad:
Schedule a Personal Shopping Appointment or Discovery Meeting to explore our Greensboro studio and shop designer fabrics and custom throw pillows in person.
Our full Handcrafted Custom Home Furnishings Design Services are available for local pickup. Nationwide shipping is available for custom throw pillows and smaller made-to-order home furnishings. Larger items—window treatments, over-sized seat cushions for built-in spaces—are available for local pickup. We'll confirm what's feasible for your specific project when we connect.
Whether you need a few new decorative pillows or a complete room makeover, we can help you bring it all together. Options include:
•Custom throw pillows made with your fabric or ours—including luxury pillows with intricately embroidered fabrics, versatile go-anywhere lumbar pillows, indoor-outdoor pillows, and family-friendly pillows with stain-resistant performance fabrics
•Bedding: euros, shams, statement lumbar & bolster pillows, bed skirts, duvets
•Cushions: seat, back, bench, or banquette cushions (including new foam)
•Dining chairs: re-covering or skirting removable seats
•Window treatments: panels, café curtains, valances, & cornices
•In-Home Measuring & Design Service (Triad area only)
To learn more go to Handcrafted Custom Home Furnishing Design Services
Order Fulfillment Timing & Shipping
Our pillow covers are individually custom made-to order, and our lead time is typically 1-3 weeks. Lead time and turn-around time fluctuates with order volume.
Your confirmation email will provide a production time estimate and/or notification of any circumstances that could lead to longer lead times for your order.
If additional fabric quantities must be sourced for your order, this may delay shipment of your order as some fabric manufacturers have long lead times.
If you opt to customize our standard pillow covers, then longer turn-around times are to be anticipated.
Once your pillow cover(s) are created and we have shipped your order, you will receive an email with tracking information. Delivery to continental U.S. addresses takes approximately 2-5 business days.
Currently, we do not offer delivery to international addresses.
Please Get in Touch prior to placing your order if you need your pillow covers within a certain time frame. We may be able to offer Rush Service.
For details on our shipping options & order fulfilment timing please go to Order Fulfillment & Shipping.
For details on our shipping options & order fulfilment timing please go to Order Fulfillment & Shipping.
Note: Currently, we do not offer delivery to international addresses.
Need your pillow covers by a specific date? We may be able to offer Rush Service for faster pillow creation and/or upgrade your shipping for faster delivery.
Please Get in Touch prior to placing your order to inquire about Rush Service & upgraded shipping.
Not at this time. We currently ship within the U.S. only.
Order Policies
Because of the made-to-order and custom nature of our products, all sales are final. We do not offer returns, exchanges, or refunds on pillow covers or inserts. If you have a concern about your order, please Get in Touch —we want you to be happy with your purchase.
In-stock pillows purchased at Greensboro studio are also final sale and not eligible for return, refund, or exchange.
If you're unsure whether a pillow will work in your space, we encourage you to try our 24-Hour Approval which is available to in-person shoppers on in-stock pillows at our Greensboro studio—a no-pressure way to try pillows at home before committing.
For the details of our policies please go to Return and Cancellation Policy.
We do NOT accept cancellations once an order has been placed, as each item is cut and sewn to order—we may immediately begin cutting the material necessary for your order.
If you realize you’ve made a mistake, Get in Touch as soon as possible and we’ll do our best to accommodate changes if production hasn’t started.
For the details of our policies please go to Return and Cancellation Policy.
We do NOT accept changes to orders once they are submitted.
Once your order is placed, we may immediately begin cutting the material necessary for your order.
If you realize you’ve made a mistake, Get in Touch as soon as possible and we’ll do our best to accommodate changes if production hasn’t started.
For the details of our policies please go to Return and Cancellation Policy.
We reserve the right to refuse or cancel any order due to typographical or supplier errors, even if the order has been confirmed and charged. If this occurs, we will issue an immediate refund.
If a price looks too good to be true, it just might be.
We make every effort to list products with the correct price and description, however we are not responsible for typographical errors. If a product is listed at an incorrect price or with incorrect information due to typographical error or error in the pricing or product information received from our suppliers, we reserve the right to refuse or cancel any orders placed for products listed at an incorrect price or with an incorrect description. We reserve the right to refuse or cancel any such orders even after the order has been confirmed, and your credit card has been charged.
If your credit card has already been charged for the purchase and your order is cancelled, we will immediately issue a credit to your credit card account in the amount of the charge.
Damaged or Imperfect Items
If a pillow cover or pillow insert is defective or damaged upon delivery, please Get in Touch immediately (within 24 hours of receiving your order) so we can work with you to replace or repair the item. No claims can be made after the 24-hour window.
When examining your pillow covers it is helpful to know and consider the nature of the fabric used in each pillow cover as some fabrics have natural characteristics that should not be considered imperfections.
For the details of our policies please go to Return and Cancellation Policy.
Yes. Many premium fabrics have natural characteristics that are not considered
flaws:
•Linen may wrinkle and show natural slubs or knots.
•Printed fabrics might include subtle flecks or minor misprints.
•Embroidered fabrics may have slight thread irregularities.
•Woven textiles sometimes show small inconsistencies due to fiber and weaving techniques.
These are normal and add to the character of the finished piece.
Discounts & Trade Pricing
No, our pillows and custom furnishings are not available for wholesale. We focus on small-batch and made-to-order production.
We do not offer wholesale accounts, but we do work with designers and offer
trade discounts on both custom work and in-stock pillows purchased in-person
at our Greensboro studio.
Are you an interior designer, decorator, or home stager?
As a custom workroom partner, in addition to handcrafted quality fabrication, we provide fabric strategy expertise—whether that means evaluating client remnants and other COM or selecting materials together in-studio.
→ Learn About: Customer's Own Material (COM) Services for Interior
Designers
→ Join our Designer Trade Program
We love working with designers! Designers receive 10% off full-price in-stock pillows when shopping in-person in our Greensboro studio, as well as trade pricing on custom work.
→ Learn About: Customer's Own Material (COM) Services for Interior
Designers
Join our Designer Trade Program or Get in touch to inquire about our trade discounts and collaborations for custom design work.
Online orders are priced the same for everyone, but we aim to offer competitive
pricing comparable to trade-only brands.
Our best discounts and promotions are shared with our email and text subscribers.
Want in?
Learn about our Insider List benefits.
Join Our Insider List or text JOIN to 844-787-4206.