How to Make a Body Pillow

If you make your own body pillow, you can create it to match your bedroom décor and you can make it as long as you like. It can be used across the bed like one gigantic pillow, or used lengthwise to snuggle up. Either way, you'll be amazed how comfortable it will be.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• 2 yards of muslin, 36 inches wide
• Thread in a matching color
• Approximately 6 bags of shredded foam stuffing
• Scissors
• Sewing machine
• Yardstick or tape measure
• Pins
• Approximately 2 yards of fabric of your choice
• 3 Velcro, button or snap closures

Body Pillow

1. Determine how long you want your body pillow to be and add an inch for the seams. If you're making the body pillow for a child, add a few extra inches for grow-into space.

2. Fold over one of the short ends about 1/2-inch and iron it.

3. Fold the piece of fabric in half lengthwise with the wrong side out.

4. Sew the un-ironed short edge straight across, backstitching at the beginning and end to secure the stitching.

5. Turn the body pillow right side out.

6. Fill the body pillow with shredded foam. Test the pillow as you fill it to make sure it's as firm as you want it. It should be huggable and not too firm.

7. Stitch the folded edge closed, using a 1/4-inch seam. This can be difficult with longer pillows, so you may want to ask somebody to hold the opposite end as you sew.

Body Pillow Cover

1. Measure the body pillow and cut the cover fabric 3 1/2 inches wider and 5 inches longer.

2. Fold one of the short edges down 1/4-inch, and then fold it another 2 inches, and iron it, but don't stitch it yet. When you stitch the side seams, you will want to unfold the 2-inch fold.

3. Fold the pillowcase wrong side out and stitch the end and long side closed, backstitching at the beginning and end of the seams to secure them. Stitch zigzag seams just outside of the regular seams to protect the seams from fraying.

4. Fold the ironed 2-inch top edge to the wrong side of the pillowcase and stitch it down securely.

5. Turn the pillowcase right side out and add the closure of your choice.

Tips & Warnings

• To fill the pillow with foam, open the foam bag and stuff it into the body pillow, and then empty into the pillow. This will prevent the foam from escaping and making a mess.