Sleep, Sleep, Sleep…Lord knows when you are pregnant sleep is so important. For me, I had trouble with sleep starting in my first trimester. So, off to the internet I went. I found many solutions, but the most important thing I found was that you should sleep on your side. Ah-ha…makes sense but…I don’t sleep on my side, I’m a back sleeper. So how do I get from my back to my side comfortably??? I found so many pillows…but the PRICES wow, for a pillow??? So off to the fabric store for my new project!!!
What you will need:
3-4 yards of fabric
Thread
Scissors
Straight Pins
Batting — I bought 2 bags, but I used 3 total bags. I had extra around the house. Your pillow fullness is totally up to you!
Measuring tape
Layout your fabric inside out, pattern sides facing each other so the markings don’t show up on the outside of the pillow. Time to draw on the pattern.
I used the measurements from the popular maturity pillows on the market as a starting point…The great thing about D.I.Y is that you can customize!!! I am 5’1 so I knew that I didn’t need a really long pillow. I made my length 54 inches long by 38 inches wide. The rest of the measurements I used are illustrated below…I hope this makes sense but it’s really what you feel will be comfortable for you. Everything is in inches…but this is the measurements that matched my height and size best might vary for you.
*All measurements are in inches
Before cutting out your pillow, make sure to pin the fabric. Also you will see below that I rounded the corners off. Cut out the pillow and head to the sewing machine. Using a straight stitch 1/4 inch wide all the way around…make sure to leave an opening for turning the pillow inside out and for stuffing.
Once the pillow is turned inside out, stuff to your desired thickness or firmness. Stitch the stuff hole closed and voila!! I hope this brings you many nights of sound sleep!!!
When there is a need there is a way,
~ Maria Antoinette ~
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This pillow would be great for bed-ridden people or people like me that crunch a bunch of pillows to support my back while I sleep. I could have used one of these to support my body while I was in the hospital for a couple of days. Could not get comfortable in a hospital bed, but I bet this would have made the stay much easier.
Yes and it’s so easy to make!!! Thanks for all the supportive words!!! More to come!
Thank you for posting this.I have been searching for this all day.My youngest daughter just found out she is having a baby and is very sick (I was 9 months with both of mine) and I know that the little comforts are important.Now I can make this and save money to spend on some other ‘comforts’ for her .Bless You!
Awww this is great!! Glad I could be of assistance!! I totally understand saving money but still be comfortable!! Best of luck!!!
Awesome, I found this on Pinterest. My friend raves about the pillow she had borrowed that was exactly like this during her first pregnancy, and since then I’ve been on the look out to buy one cheep, but for the life of me I was too afraid to make one. Love that it’s all here for me, and I’m about the same height too, I have it pinned for when we decide to have our last, I’ll be old and need one!
Awww this is awesome!!! I am glad it was helpful and yes I couldn’t make it without this pillow!!!
Hi, I’m 5’8″. Do you suppose 54″ is enough for me? If not then what do you suggest? Thanks
The best way to measure is to measure with a measuring tape from neck to to where you want the pillow to stop in between your legs. If you sleep curled in a “C” think about where you want the pillow to hit and that how I found my measurements.
Are those measurements all in inches?
Yes they are
Yes!
Super awesome pattern! I modified mine a bit as i thought the sides were a bit too wide but otherwise it was great! I used 2 yards or fabric and 5 lbs of stuffing batting. About $12 dlls and 2 hours of my time! Thanks!
Thanks so much for this . You are awesome
Did you cut out to patterns from one thing of fabric then sow the together?
I drew the pattern on the fabric…no pattern used just free styled it!!! Hope that helps!
HI, I wanna know the measurement of 14, 6,18,20 is it in inch? and the pic of measurement is not really complete on the top especially, can you give me your complete measurement? thanks so much
Yes all measurements are in inches. The top and bottom are the same…hope that helps but please note this was measured to work best for my 5 foot 1 inch frame you might have to make changes!
I made a pillow for my grand daughter out of muslin and as soon as she laid on it ripped. I am doing the new one out of knit.
That should be really nice!
This looks like the most comfortable pillow EVER! I’ve got a Craft Gossip post scheduled for tomorrow that links to your tutorial:
http://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-diy-maternity-body-pillow/2014/08/05/
–Anne
Thank you SOO much for sharing this! I’m not pregnant, (&hope I never am, again! Lol, I’m ready for grandbabies!), but I have advanced arthritis in my knees & hips, fibromyalgia, and well, never mind all the rest. It adds up to little & often poor sleep, because I can’t get comfortable. I’ve tried multiple pillows, and is to hard to get them all right, at once – much less keep them there. This just might be exactly what I need (short of buying a crazy-expensive, new mattress). If it works for me, I’ll be sharing the wealth with my support groups. These people could really use it, for the rest of their lives. Oh – and, don’t get rid of yours, after your pregnancies – they could be perfect for anyone who needs the extra support, like someone sock or injured. You’re BRILLIANT! Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!
Awesome I’m so glad you found this I hope it helps you as much as it helped me!
Thanks for the tutorial – really excited to make this in the next few days to ease my sleep problem now that I’m close to finishing my 2nd trimester 🙂 Where do you recommend is the best place to leave open for turning over and stuffing in the pillow??
So happy this is going to make sleeping so much better! I recommend leaving a outer corner area…but it really doesn’t matter just make sure the hole is large enough! 🙂