How do you make a Homemade cervical pillow?

A cervical pillow, or an orthopedic pillow, is designed to provide extra support and alignment for your neck and head while sleeping. Buying one can be expensive, ranging from $40 to over $100. Luckily, with some basic sewing skills and inexpensive supplies from a craft store, you can easily make a DIY orthopedic pillow at home for a fraction of the cost. 

In this DIY tutorial, we at Pain-Free Aussies will walk you through the simple steps to create your customized, therapeutic cervical pillow.

Choose Your Fill Material

When making a homemade cervical orthopedic pillow, you first decide what fill material you want. The fill determines the DIY pillow's firmness and support. Here are some excellent options:

  • Memory Foam - Provides both softness and support. Cut to size and place in an orthopedic pillowcase.
  • Polyfill - Lightweight and adjustable. Allows you to add or remove fill to suit your preference for a DIY pillow.
  • Microbeads - Molds to neck shape. Retains body heat well for an orthopedic pillow.
  • Buckwheat Hulls - Firm support. Naturally, it conforms to the head and neck for a DIY pillow.

Selecting the proper fill is imperative for proper spinal alignment and restful sleep with a cervical orthopedic pillow.

Calculate Dimensions

Once you choose your preferred filling, determine the desired dimensions for your DIY orthopedic pillow. For proper neck and spine support, your cervical pillow should measure approximately:

  • Length - 16 to 22 inches
  • Width - 12 to 14 inches
  • Height - 3 to 5 inches with a curved indentation of 1 to 1.5 inches for the neck.

Carefully measure and cut your fabric and fill materials according to these dimensions for the DIY pillow.

Sew Outer Pillow Case

  • The outer pillowcase can be made from cotton, linen, silk or other soft, breathable fabric. Solid colors easily show off your handiwork, but feel free to select fun prints and patterns for the orthopedic pillow case.
  • Cut two pieces of fabric a few inches larger than your desired DIY pillow dimensions. 
  • Sew them together along three sides, leaving one long side open. 
  • Turn right side out.

Stuff the Pillow

Now comes the fun part - filling the custom cervical orthopedic pillow! 

  • Insert your chosen fill material bit-by-bit into the opening of the sewn case. 
  • For memory foam and other solid materials, pre-shape the curve for neck support before inserting it into the DIY pillow. Solid fills hold the indentation better. You can tweak and adjust to get the fill level and firmness right.

Close the Seam

  • Once your orthopedic pillow is stuffed to perfection, hand stitch the open seam closed or use a sewing machine for a sturdier result. 
  • Add some basic embroidery or other decorative stitches if desired for the DIY pillow.

You now have a comfortable, supportive cervical orthopedic pillow tailored to your personal needs and preferences for a fraction of the store's cost. Customize the shape, size, fabric, and fill to get the perfect night's sleep.

Conclusion

Creating a homemade cervical orthopedic pillow is an easy, affordable DIY project that allows you to personalize the dimensions, fabric choices and fill materials. By following the simple instructions in this article, you can craft a custom orthopedic pillow with ergonomic neck support perfect for your individual needs. 

Say goodbye to stiff necks and restless nights by utilizing household materials from the sewing box rather than opting for an expensive store-bought option. Feel free to get creative with fabrics and fills until you achieve your ideal blend of cushioning and therapeutic support for your DIY pillow.

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