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Many people will affirm that being a parent is hard work, but often forget that the hard work starts from the very beginning! As expecting parents get closer to their baby’s due date, the most important thing to prioritize is rest. Whether you’re expecting, know someone who’s expecting, or are simply curious about how to make your own pregnancy pillow, a little research can open up a ton of possibilities.
A special-made pillow is an essential item for a pregnant person to own. A pregnancy pillow supports the abdomen and back as you sleep, taking pressure off of some of the sorest spots in the body. After a long day on their feet, the last thing an expectant parent needs to worry about is how to get comfortable at night. A pregnancy pillow helps to achieve a relaxing and restful pregnancy.
How long does it take to make a pregnancy pillow?
Despite its large size, it does not take long at all to craft your own pregnancy pillow. If you are sewing by hand, you may take a day or two just to give your hands a break from all the sewing and stitching. However, if you use a sewing machine, a pregnancy pillow can be constructed in one afternoon. It’s the perfect homemade gift for expectant mothers.
What materials do you need to make a pregnancy pillow?
The materials needed to DIY your own pregnancy pillow are simple, and most supplies can be found in the home. If you have sewing experience, you may already all have all you need to start your next project. The materials you will need to sew your own pregnancy pillow include:
- Your favorite fabric
- Pins and a pin cushion (optional)
- A sewing machine (optional)
- Craft scissors
- A sewing needle and/or a sewing machine
- A tape measure
- A permanent marker
Once you gather all that you need, there are six main steps that can follow for a successful sewing project. In this article, we’ll show you how to make a pregnancy pillow step-by-step!
6 Simple Steps to Craft a DIY Pregnancy Pillow
1. Select a Pattern and Fabric
There are a plethora of free sewing patterns available on the internet. For specific pattern information and detailed dimensions, we recommend this article to use as a reference. An ideal pregnancy pattern is U-shaped so your back and belly are supported. Adjust dimensions to your frame if you are taller for a more comfortable fit! As for fabric selection, your best bet is to go to your local craft store. This is the best way because you can feel out which fabric is softest and ensure the color is accurate. However, if you’re willing to wait on shipping, fabric can also be ordered online through Amazon.
2. Cut Your Fabric In Matching Lengths
Now is the fun part: crafting your pregnancy pillow. Once you have your dimensions marked down on the fabric, you’re going to cut out two strips of u-shaped fabric in matching lengths. To make sure the pieces are the same size, use a permanent marker and/or pins to keep the two pieces together while cutting.
3. Partially Sew Together Your Cut Pieces
By this point, your pillow casing is already nearly done! The most important thing to remember is that you are sewing your pillow inside-out. This is done so that in the next step, you can flip it right-side out and hide the outward-facing seam. Before you sew your two pieces together, you also want to make sure to leave an opening about the width of your forearm. This is done so that there is ample room for your arm to move around as you stuff your pillow.
4. Flip Your Sewn Piece Right-Side Out
This step is self-explanatory, but very important. Flipping your pillow casing will hide the seam and make it look clean and professionally-done. If you have chosen a two-sided or patterned fabric, make sure that the pattern you want to show will be flipped around to be outward-facing.
5. Fill With Your Favorite Stuffing
Your pillow is coming along nicely! By now you should see the shape of your pillow and the fabric pattern you have chosen. Stuffing is easy and it’s up to you if you’d rather use feather or cotton to plump up your pregnancy pillow. If you prefer a firmer pillow, then extra stuffing is recommended.
6. Sew Up Opening and Tidy Loose Ends
Your pillow is looking great! If done correctly, your pillow should be shaped nicely and stuffed according to your preferences. This last step is the finishing touch. You’re going to neatly sew up the exposed opening and make a knot to seal off what you have sewn. Finally, carefully cut loose thread, and you’re done!
The Best Pregnancy Pillows You Can Buy Right Now
Now that you know how to sew your own pregnancy pillow, you can decide for yourself whether or not you want to spend energy and time on it. While sewing your own items is a great hobby, it’s understandable that for some people, buying is the best option. If you are in that camp, you’re not alone! In fact, we believe more mothers-to-be would prefer store-bought if they only knew where to look. That’s why we put together a trusted list of the best pregnancy pillows on the market right now. We’ll give you all the details so you know exactly what you’re buying. Visit our article to find out what our top 3 best pregnancy pillow picks are!