How to sew a bolster pillow with your own hands: patterns, sizes for a sofa

Restless sleep, headaches, pain in the cervical and spinal regions are the result of an incorrectly chosen pillow. When resting, the body should relax completely, while a high or low product placed under the head does not allow the spine to relieve the load, since it must support the head all the time. The positive effect that the cushion has has been proven by scientists.

Story

Today, more and more often you can see not standard rectangular pillows, but cushions in the shape of a cushion. This is not just caused by fashion trends or the desire to take care of health - this pillow design is more compatible with the anatomy of the human body. Even in ancient Egypt and ancient Rome, in ancient Asia, people used such models. On frescoes and mosaics you can see this household item of ancient civilizations.

Cushion cushion

Where to begin?

Initially, you need to decide what you want: add color or create an exquisite luxurious sample, or maybe write your name in large soft letters or give your child an original toy. Nothing is impossible.

When choosing a design and color combination, you must rely on the purposes for which the product is intended. Sofa cushions are intended not only to perform a decorative function in the interior, but also for purely utilitarian purposes: to put under your head while reading, to throw on the floor to sit next to your child, or just to take a nap.

Benefits of use

Low physical activity, monotony of work processes, and a sedentary lifestyle lead to spinal deformation and cause diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Osteochondrosis is becoming a disease of young people. During sleep, it is necessary to create conditions for the spinal column to relax and the opportunity to take its natural position - a bend in the cervical region. By using this pillow correctly, you can avoid serious health problems. Sleeping on a bolster will help you avoid headaches, tinnitus, and cognitive impairment.

Varieties

Decorative

The product can be used as a decorative element for a sofa, armchair, bed and any other seating area. Rollers can be of different shapes - cylinder, horseshoe, bones. They can be made in a funny children's style, in a classic formal style, or in a simple rustic style. You can sew a round bolster on a sofa as a headboard.

Decorative option

Orthopedic

Orthopedic doctors recommend these pillows for the treatment of spinal problems or their prevention. They are selected in accordance with the parameters of the body - the curvature of the ridge, the length of the shoulder, the favorite position during sleep or rest. You can sew a round bolster for the back or arm and as a support. The neck located on such a support will receive complete rest. At the same time, it remains a decorative element of the room. The therapeutic option differs from a regular pillow in its internal content - the filler should enhance the therapeutic effect. For this you can use the following materials:

buckwheat husk;
polyurethane foam;
latex;
memorix.

Antistress

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Pillow with herbs
Rollers for relieving emotional stress are also in demand. They are pleasant to wrinkle due to the filler - foamed polystyrene granules. “Mnushki” help you calm down, take your mind off problems, turning your attention to the pleasant sensations of touching this object.

Soothing with herbs

If you fill the roller with medicinal herbs, you can also achieve a calming effect on the body during sleep. But before using such a filler, you should make sure that the person has no contraindications to herbal aromas - asthma, pregnancy, allergies, problems with the respiratory system.

The most commonly used are yarrow, St. John's wort, thyme, hops, oregano, sage, geranium, and clover.

Carefully! Oregano, thyme and hops reduce potency in men and can cause abortion in women.

Toy for children

The baby bolster pillow is entertaining and serves as a barrier in the crib. It is best to make this option in the form of a toy, and use fabrics that are natural, pleasant to the touch, and bright colors. For the filler it is worth using natural hypoallergenic materials.

If spots of rash appear on the baby's skin, such a pillow should be removed from the child.

Children's version

What is an orthopedic back bolster?

You can understand the peculiarities of using rollers if you find out what types of them exist. There are orthopedic rollers available for sale that can be used at night. placed under the lower back or neck during sleep . Special orthopedic devices for the lower back, which are attached to a chair, are also popular.

They perform such tasks:

relieve stress from the spine when sitting;
support the natural curve of the lower back;
tone muscles;
contribute to the treatment of scoliosis.

You can use them all the time, there are no restrictions. Only in the first days it is advisable to focus on your feelings; if there is discomfort, you can limit the period of use to 2-3 hours. The body must adapt.

Some cushions are used as sleeping pillows. If you place them under your neck, you will be able to :

relieve headache;
minimize nagging pain in the neck;
get rid of insomnia.

place bolster pillows under your lower back while you sleep . This relaxes the muscles of the lower back. Their use helps prevent spinal deformation.

How the roller works

Seat bolsters help maintain the spine in the correct position . A person needs to sit completely on a chair so that the spine fits tightly against the back of the chair and the bolster attached to it. This helps to minimize the load on the spinal column.

The use of bolster pillows during sleep helps ensure that the head does not sag throughout the night, but is in the physiologically correct position. Thanks to this, the thoracic region straightens.

Features of choice

In order for the bolster pillow to meet your expectations, you should take into account several individual indicators when choosing:

Height is the distance from the shoulder to the base of the neck.
The width of the product - you need to add 5-7 cm to the width of the shoulders. But a smaller size is also allowed for a more stable fixation of the cervical spine.
Additional functions are provided by the filler. Buckwheat husk gives a massage effect. Adding essential oils or aromatic herbs will give a calming effect. Artificial fillers have a memory effect, preserving the individual body shape of its owner.
A bolster pillow for a crib should fit the child's size and have two sides at the edges. This will prevent your head from slipping and keep your spine level. This pillow will be useful for children with poor posture.

Contraindications

Since the Fukutsuji technique affects not only appearance, but also health, one cannot fail to take into account contraindications, which include:

History of spinal injuries of any age.
Any internal or external bleeding.
Spinal diseases: spinal column hernia, disc protrusion, scoliosis, sciatica, osteochondrosis, osteoporosis, myositis, radiculitis, spondylosis, tumors, ankylosing spondylitis.
Joint diseases: coxarthrosis, periarthritis, bursitis, tendinitis.
Osteopathy, chondropathy.
Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, liver, kidneys.
Fever, any acute respiratory infection.
Hypertension.
Restless legs or arms syndrome (tingling, itching, crawling in the extremities).

Some diseases in some cases can turn from contraindications into indications, so the best solution would be to visit a neurologist or orthopedist.

Materials

Over the long period of time the bolster pillow has served people, the tailoring of the uniform has remained virtually unchanged. But the list of fillers has expanded.

Today, modern technologies and natural materials allow you to choose a filler:

Buckwheat husk - it is believed that it gives the best healing effect. During rest, the neck receives a micro-massage. For people with bronchial asthma, husk is recognized as the best option for its antibacterial and antiallergic properties.
Polyester is an economical filler option. It is not hygroscopic and does not conduct air well, so it is inconvenient to use in hot weather. To reduce the “greenhouse effect” during use, the roller should have a pillowcase made of natural fabric. The advantage of polyester is its ability to take the desired shape, so all that remains is to fold the roller correctly.
Polyurethane foam is perhaps the most popular filler today. It does not absorb dust and dirt. It does not harbor mites, mold and mildew. While sleeping on the polyurethane foam filler, it will easily take the shape of the human body. But without pressure, it will return to its previous state. If the need arises, polyurethane foam is easy to clean.

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Important! It is not recommended to use down and feathers as filler.

The fabric is used twice in this product - for the pillowcase and for the filler cover (nappernik). If the pillow is intended only for sleeping, choose a natural and light fabric. To make this item decorative, the materials can be different, corresponding to the general color of the place. If desired, additional elements are used on the pillowcase - buttons, ribbons, cords.

Colors and shapes

The selection of the color of the cover may depend on the interior, purpose of use or personal preferences of the craftswoman. Of course, sofa cushions in a classic interior will have calmer tones, but for a nursery they will become bright and contrasting.

When you decide to sew pillows for a sofa with your own hands, you need to know exactly what you want to get.

The shape and size of the thought can be very diverse. Square, round, made in the form of letters or toys – there is room for your imagination to run wild.

Large square pillows for a sofa with your own hands will look great on a large sofa, you can have a great sleep on them, and sewn in the shape of letters will become an original interior decoration. A small child will appreciate a funny, plump toy that will be so fun to carry around the floor or fall asleep cuddling with it in the evening. In addition, you can stuff a pillow in the shape of a cat or owl with cereal or silicone granules - this will be a great way to develop fine motor skills for the baby, who will enthusiastically squeeze it.

Cutting order

Sewing a pillow can be done with only basic cutting and sewing skills. You can understand how to sew a bolster pillow by reading the step-by-step master class. If you have ready-made cushion bases in the house, then all that remains is to take the dimensions from them and build a very simple pillowcase pattern.

Depending on the type of fastener - buttons, flap, zipper, add the required amount of cm to the length. Round end parts - sides, can be traced around the circumference of the cylinder or built according to the instructions: divide the circumference of the cylinder in half and add 1 cm for a loose fit. Place the resulting number—the radius—on a compass and draw a circle. The appearance of the product will depend on the accuracy of this part and the accuracy of its connection to the main fabric.

Pillowcase sizes

Ideas for sewing pillows with your own hands

Now let's move on to the most important thing, that is, the process of making decorative pillows. They can have a wide variety of shapes, sizes, colors, textures. We will give you several options for how to make a pillow from foam rubber, you just have to choose the most successful one.

Heart pillow

She will look incredibly original, gentle, stylish. The pillow itself is the most ordinary, made of two square halves. The most important thing here is decoration:

It is necessary to cut circles from the fabric. It is very important that it does not crumble, because the edges will not be processed.
Then wrap one circle around the other so that you end up with a flower.
At the base, secure the folds with thread.
When the desired number of flowers is ready, you can lay out a heart from them on the pillow, starting with the outline, gradually completely filling its inner part.
All that remains is to fluff the flowers with your hands.

Important! Attach the flowers as tightly as possible to make the heart voluminous and thick.

Cushion cushion

This foam pillow, made with your own hands with all the tenderness, care, and love, will help you rest, unwind, and truly decorate your home, diluting it with oriental notes.

The manufacturing process for this product includes three important steps:

The first stage is the roller. Take pieces of foam rubber, roll them carefully, and sew them together along the long side using a thick, dense thread. Or you can form a hollow cylinder from the pieces and fill it with woolen products inside.
The second stage is the cover. The main thing is that it sits tightly on the roller, so it is recommended to make it a little smaller in size. Measure the length and width of the roller, add a few centimeters to these values for the seam. As a result, you will receive a pattern that needs to be folded in half and lengthwise so that the front side is inside. Make a stitch on each edge, but leave the middle open. The zipper will be sewn here later. Turn the finished cover inside out and sew a thick lace or decorative braid onto it.
The third stage is the end parts. It is necessary to cut out several strips of fabric specifically for them, adding one and a half centimeters for allowances. The length of the strips should correspond to the circumference of the roller, and the width to the radius of this circle. Then you should connect the short ends and sew. Baste the ends to the cover, then sew. It is necessary to sew as tightly as possible to the braid. All that remains is to bend and sew the raw edges, thread the cords and ribbons into the drawstring. We insert the roller into the case and tighten the ribbon tightly on the sides. You can sew decorations on top at your discretion.

Bright pillow on the floor

This product will serve you faithfully for many years. Floor pillows are especially popular today, because they not only decorate interiors, but also use them for sitting.

A comfortable pillow can be sewn from triangular fabric sectors. It is important that all sectors are made of the same material, but in different shades:

It is necessary to cut out the required number of triangles from the fabric and cut off the corners to make the finished product more voluminous.
Then the sectors are stitched on all sides, both sides are connected facing each other. The main thing is not to forget to leave holes for stuffing.
All that remains is to turn out the cover, fill it with the prepared filler, and sew up the hole.

How to sew it yourself

In order for such a bolster pillow to fit all parameters, it is better to make it yourself. Skills and costs are minimal, and the bonus from the work will be the individual author's design of this item.

Materials and tools for work:

fabric for pillowcase and fabric for base cover;
threads of the corresponding color;
decorative details - cords, buttons, fringe, appliqués;
filler (personal choice).

Operating procedure:

It is necessary to take personal anatomical measurements in accordance with the recommendations indicated above. After this, correctly calculate the parameters of the pillow according to the diagram given above.
Transfer all dimensions onto paper, maintaining accuracy when constructing. How comfortable the pillow will be during use will depend on the accuracy at this stage.
Duplicate the pattern on fabric for a pillowcase, which can serve as both a decorative cover and a pillowcase for sleeping.

Pattern of the base

Cut the piece out onto the fabric, adding a seam allowance of approximately 1 cm.
When making a pattern, you need to take into account seam allowances. They should be at least 0.5-1 cm.
Sew the main fabric into a pipe.

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Sew a pipe

Next, fasten the round part of the side panel with pins to the hole in the pipe, baste it with a “needle forward” seam, and only then stitch it on a machine. All these operations will allow you to sew the end part smoothly and not disturb the correct cylindrical shape of the product.

Baste the end piece

Sew the side panel

Do not sew the other side completely, leaving a hole to insert the filler.

Prepare the filler

Insert the filler and carefully sew the end part of the roller to the end with your hands.

Insert the filler into the roller through the hole left.
Therefore, you can sew almost any pillowcase using the same script.

You don’t have to put clasps in pillowcases for sleeping, so as not to accidentally lie on them with your face or neck. It is better to simply sweep away the entrance hole with a hidden seam.

Manually stitch the opening of the bolster

Options for decorative items

To make a decorative cushion in the shape of a cushion, you can take several types of fabric.

They can be combined in a variety of ways. The simplest and most frequently used option is a cross combination of several types of fabric. To do this, at the stage of patterning the outer cover, it is necessary to fold the types of fabric in the required sequence and stitch them so that they form a continuous fabric. The seams must be ironed so that they do not form crumpled parts on the finished product. And after that, on such a colored canvas, make a pattern for the outer pillowcase.

You can use sewn edgings or use them along the end parts of the tie.

To correctly and easily assemble the cylindrical parts of the pillow, you must first sew a round tube. Then take the round end piece and pin it to the pipe, turned inside out all the way around. After this, carefully baste and only then stitch the middle so that the circle does not move and does not gather the cylindrical part.

The rest of the sequence of actions is carried out similarly to the process described above.

Since sewing a bolster pillow at home is quite simple, you can make several products at once. Some of them are for decorative purposes, and the other part is for sleeping properly.

How to choose in a store

Before purchasing a bolster pillow in a store, you need to take the necessary measurements from the person for whom the pillow is intended. Choose an item that will match in size. Ask the seller what filling is used, what fabric the cover is made from, and how to care for the product. If there is a need for pillowcases, you should buy two or more pieces for new clothes.

Roller for a good rest

Whatever option is chosen, a bolster pillow, sewn according to individual parameters to suit the needs of a particular person, made taking into account personal preferences in design, will have not only a decorative character, but also a therapeutic purpose.

Recommendations for caring for your neck pillow

Strictly follow the rules of use, do not wash the roller if there is no corresponding permission icon
In most cases, neck rolls for sleeping have a removable cover - it can be washed
If the roller itself is very dirty, you can carefully clean it with a sponge or rag. How exactly depends on the filler, so before cleaning, carefully read the information leaflet included with the product
Roll pillows made from buckwheat husks cannot be washed at all, you can only air them
Memory pillows are also not washable.

Master Class

The rectangular cover is filled halfway with filler, and then rolled up, pressing tightly.

Taking a needle and thread, sew the end of the pillowcase to the base so that the workpiece does not unwind.

To find out how to sew a bolster pillow with your own hands, you need to measure the length of the base. To do this, take a measuring tape, the edge of which is lowered to the surface on which the twisted filling in the pillowcase lies. The second end of the tape is also lowered to the table and the value is recorded. Cut off the selected material according to the data obtained, adding 0.5 cm to the seam.

Bend the edge 0.5 cm and secure the fabric with pins. This must be done on both short sides, then stitched with a machine. This will be a drawstring for the cord.

Measure the thickness of the roller from the middle to the edge. The obtained data is transferred to the fabric - the decoration will be sewn in the designated place.

A strip of fluffy material is sewn along the marked marks.

The cover for the roller is turned inside out, the edges are fixed with pins so that they do not move. Sew with a machine and turn inside out.

A decorative cord is inserted into the previously prepared hole, pulled in a circle and tied.

Place the cover on the roller and tighten the cord from the other side.

Small pompoms are made from the remains of the fluffy ribbon and tied to the edges of the cord.

This is what the finished pillow looks like. From the master class you can see that making a bolster pillow with your own hands is easy.

Any thing made by the hands of a craftswoman retains the warmth of her hands. Original products that you won’t find in the catalogs of popular publications can be made at home with a little effort and imagination. To work, you need good fabric, stuffing, a sewing machine - this simple set allows you to create things of different shapes. Author: Galina Kanashchuk

We repair sofa cushions ourselves

It’s also worth saying a few words about repairing sofa cushions. Sooner or later they will have to be updated. Such work may include not only replacing covers damaged for some reason with similar ones or decorated with a variety of decor. This includes replacing clumped sofa cushion filling.

Consider options for replacing it with more modern and high-quality material that will allow you to fill your thoughts less often. The process itself is no different from sewing a new product, the instructions for which are given above: carefully open one of the seams, remove the old filling using crochet hooks, and refill the pillow. You can also add dried aromatic herbs, such as mint or lavender, inside to obtain a subtle floral aroma. This update will certainly please your household.

Case

When it comes to making a cover, there is no particular difference between this work and making a filling/pillowcase. Just follow the pattern. If the pillow is round, the difficulty increases somewhat. As noted above, you can further decorate the case at your discretion.

If we talk about if you decide to buy a ready-made product, then it should be noted that today there are a huge number of options for orthopedic pillows, and not only cushions. There are even pregnancy pillows and anti-bedsore products. As for the size for the classic cut of a bolster pillow, it is 20x50 cm. Of course, there are others. In any case, the choice is yours.

More examples of photos with elongated long cylindrical pillows (click to enlarge):