DIY hug pillow: pattern making, photo

The history of the birth of the pillow

The hug pillow was first invented in Japan. Its shape resembles a Japanese sleeping pillow that you can hug and fall asleep soundly. It was complemented by a “hand” that seemed to hug its owner. This has nothing to do with the design of the product. Everything is thought out by the Japanese to the smallest detail.

This detail gives a comfortable state, allows you to feel the comfort and love of a loved one. Interestingly, the hug pillow can not only be placed in a special pillowcase, but also threaded into the sleeve of an adult’s clothing.

An excellent gift - such an interesting product in its design will appeal to the most biased person. You can sew images of hearts, cats and other cute characters on the pillow - this will once again remind your loved one of tender feelings. The advantage of this product is that it has a simple pattern. The hug pillow can be made from any pleasant material.

Herbal pillows for sleep. Benefits and harms

Insomnia. Nervous tension. Overwork. Weakened immunity. How can herbal pillows help cope with the listed ailments?

Herbal pillows were used by our grandmothers. Possessing many beneficial properties, they not only treated people from illnesses, but also gave the room a pleasant aroma. However, previously they had a slightly different appearance. These were bags containing dried grass.

Nowadays, herbal sleeping pillows come in different shapes: oval, circle, cylinder, etc. They are placed next to the main pillow to inhale the aromas of medicinal herbs while sleeping. The resulting effect can be compared to aromatherapy. The herbal cushion can be either one-component or contain a whole collection.

What plants are used in herbal beds?

Tansy, anise, chamomile, valerian, oregano, St. John's wort, lemon balm, motherwort, rose, yarrow, hop cones, thyme, sage, lavender, immortelle, nettle, pine needles and others.

You can make herbal sleeping pillows yourself at home. For this you will need a pillowcase and dried plants. You can prepare the raw materials yourself or purchase them at the pharmacy, as is convenient for you.

Important! If you don't like the smell of a particular plant, don't use it. It is better to replace it with a herb with alternative properties.

You should buy a pillow with a mixture whose components you are personally familiar with and are sure that you are not allergic to them.

It is also worth noting that the shelf life of the herbal pillow is equal to 1 year. This is due to the fact that the aroma of plants “exhausts” over time. It is dangerous to store such a pillow! When the expiration date comes to an end, feel free to throw it away.

Who is not recommended to use herbal pillows for sleep?

There are few contraindications. Women are not advised to use these pillows while breastfeeding their baby and during pregnancy. Small children are not given herbal pillows because they are afraid that the child will want to look at the contents or even taste it, trying in every possible way to make a hole in the pillow.

Herbal pillows will be a great source of aroma in your home. This is a great way not only to improve health or improve sleep, but also to give your loved ones a useful gift that they will definitely be delighted with!

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Marchenkova Veronica

Sleep pillow

The dimensions of the product can be different, for example, to the height of a person. The pillow will comfortably envelop your body and protect your sleep. It can change its shape - it can be twisted, given the shape of a body.

It is very important that such a hug pillow is easy to wash and dries quickly. The material from which it is made is hygienic and does not cause allergic reactions. Very convenient for use by children or pregnant women (when a woman wants to sit more comfortably with a large belly).

Home doctor

A professional selection of materials included in the product allows us to safely say that together with such an assistant you can easily correct minor problems with posture or breathing. A versatile pillow for women, it comes in a variety of density (to position your head comfortably), shape (including neck bolsters) and pillowcase contents to relieve tension on your body while you sleep. The soft fabric eliminates any allergic reactions, and the additive when sewing the product protects against the appearance of unwanted bacteria. As a result, the service life is truly impressive: unpleasant odors and fungus are excluded, so the pillow not only looks nice, but will also be extremely clean.

How to sew a hug pillow?

Stores often sell excellent quality Dutch knitwear from which dolls are made. It is very easy to use and gives the product warmth and coziness. How to sew a hug pillow in the shape of a large doll? Just follow a few recommendations:

• choose knitwear of various colors: the body and head are pastel colors;
• clothes for a doll can emphasize female or male gender;
• make your hair from woolen or synthetic yarn;
• the filling of the doll can be made of foam rubber or padding polyester;
• Provide the body with a cover so that the fibers do not penetrate outside;
• Sew clothes onto the doll in parts, rather than pulling them all on the body at once.

How to use an aromatic pillow correctly

It’s not enough to make a thing, you also need to know how to use it, even if it’s a simple pillow. And if it’s herbal!.. There are certain rules:

• Keep the smell
  . Use this pillow for a maximum of a week, and then take a break. During this time, it is placed in a bag and tied tightly so that the aroma does not erode.
• Shake well before use
  . And you can even wrinkle and beat the pillow a little to enhance the smell of herbs.
• Change it periodically
  . Do not store for more than one year. Replace with a new one with a different composition of herbs. You can repeat the previous collection in a couple of years.
• Replace with “sleepy bag”
  . If you are still unaccustomed to sleeping on a herbal pillow, but you are completely satisfied with its effect, replace it with a small bag with the same herbs, place it at the head of the bed and enjoy! The most important thing is your comfort!

How to make a herbal pillow - watch the video: A DIY herbal pillow is a wonderful folk remedy for many health problems. Filled with the healing power of herbs and charged with the positive energy of good thoughts, it will be an excellent gift for your loved ones and you personally.

Shaped pillows

If the hug pillow is intended for a child, it can look like a favorite fairy tale character. When filling the item, supplement the internal contents with fragrant herbs that soothe and promote sleep. This could be lavender or another scent that you can drip onto your funny nose or the top of your head before going to bed.

Give the doll's face a special charm and personality, and the pillow will become your friend. You can make a doll, giving it the image of an animal - a dog, a cat, a tiger cub.

If you like to travel in your car, you can sew a hug pillow in the shape of an elephant with a magnificent trunk. It will fit comfortably in the back seat of a car and will replace a crib during a long trip.

For production you need to purchase:

• cotton fabric 60-70 cm long, 100-150 cm wide;
• threads, buttons for eyes and other details;
• lace, beaded jewelry.

First, you need to make an elephant pattern on paper, apply it to the fabric, each piece separately, not forgetting to allow for seams and shrinkage of the fabric. Stages of creation:

1. The back is sewn and the marks for other parts are aligned.
2. Sew in the middle part of the elephant's head.
3. The lower part of the trunk and the upper part of the legs of an elephant.
4. Sew the inside of the legs to the middle seam of the belly and the outer seams of the toy.
5. Sew in the soles of the feet from the inside.
6. Fill the pillow with holofiber or special polar balls, or padding polyester.
7. The tail, ears, and eyes are sewn on last.

You can endlessly experiment with color and texture. The main thing is that there are no parts that could injure a person during sleep. You can sew a variety of pillowcases for the pillows that will fit each set of bed linen. Children also love these accessories; they replace the toys that babies love to sleep with.

How to make a herbal pillow for sleeping

The healing properties of herbal pillows are determined by what kind of plants they are filled with. Therefore, you need to be especially careful when choosing and collecting herbs for their manufacture. Let's tell you about everything in more detail.

Selecting herbs to fill your pillow

By filling your herbal pad with certain plants, you thereby shape its healing properties.
But, we repeat, in an effort to make it as useful as possible, do not forget that the smells should be pleasant to you. If the aroma of any herb irritates you, it is better to replace it with another with similar properties. The choice of herbs for pads is huge:

• Anise
  . It will save you from nightmares by dulling your emotions, and will also promote rejuvenation during sleep.
• Althea
  . It has the property of easing breathing and coughing, so a herbal pad filled with it is recommended for patients in the off-season.
• Orange
  . Has a tonic effect on the human body. Brings pleasant dreams about relatives and loved ones.
• Birch
  . The smell of its leaves strengthens the immune system, has antibacterial properties, and helps with headaches. Contraindicated for pregnant women.
• Black elderberry
  . The smell of its inflorescences has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, helps relieve pain, ease breathing and cure colds. Not recommended for use by pregnant women and those with gastrointestinal diseases.
• Valerian
  . Able to relieve tension and make sleep deep.
• Basil
  . In addition to helping to remember dreams, it also protects against mosquitoes, which are repelled by the aroma of this plant.
• Heather
  . Very effective for combating insomnia and relieving increased nervous excitability.
• Carnation
  . This plant, like basil, promotes the memory of dreams and repels mosquitoes with its aroma. It can also restore what was forgotten in your memory. It has a rather strong odor, so it should be used in small quantities.
• Meadow geranium
  . Do not confuse this plant with indoor pelargonium! It will help you calm down, relieve headaches and put you into a restful sleep. Strengthens the immune system, has an antibacterial and antiviral effect. Not recommended for children under six years of age and pregnant women.
• Angelica
  . Dreams inspired by this plant are considered prophetic.
• Oregano
  . This plant has a tonic effect. Having slept peacefully all night on a grass pillow made from it, you will wake up refreshed and ready for great achievements. But be careful, the smell of oregano also reduces libido and has abortifacient properties.
• St. John's wort
  . Relieves depression, improves immunity, has bactericidal properties, can ease breathing, soothe and give healthy sleep. Pregnant and lactating women, hypertensive patients, as well as children under 12 years of age are contraindicated in using this plant.
• Hyssop
  . Feel free to use this plant if you don’t like the smell of oregano, they have similar tonic properties.
• Clover
  . It can moderately reduce blood pressure, relieve headaches, and has an antiviral and antibacterial effect. May make breathing easier when coughing. Not recommended for pregnant women.
• Lavender angustifolia
  . Helps with insomnia. Calms and relieves stress, improves heart and brain function, relieves headaches, strengthens the immune system. Its smell can also drive away mosquitoes and moths from your bed, it is pleasant and unobtrusive, and lasts a very long time - from the sealed incense urn in the tomb of Tutankhamun, it could be felt even after three thousand years! This plant is not contraindicated for children and allergy sufferers, but it is better not to use it for pregnant and lactating women.
• Laurel
  . The dreams he brings are pleasant and can become prophetic.
• Marjoram
  . It will calm you down, relieve tension and relieve depression and melancholy.
• Melissa or lemon balm
  . In addition to sound sleep, this plant can bestow freshness and tranquility, and relieve headaches, toothaches and heartaches. Avicenna and Paracelsus considered it “the delight of the heart,” equating it in value to pure gold. But for those with low blood pressure, it is contraindicated.
• Peppermint
  . Calms the nervous system, improves brain and heart function (working to prevent heart attack). It invigorates, relieves fatigue and headaches, although it is not able to relieve stress. Pregnant, breastfeeding and children under seven years of age are not recommended for use.
• Common wormwood or Chernobyl
  . Has anti-inflammatory and immunity-boosting properties. It will help cope with fatigue and depression, speed up metabolism, and unobtrusively calm you down, bringing vivid (and sometimes prophetic!) dreams. It will ease breathing, restore performance, and relieve cramps. It will protect against blood-sucking insects and mice, repelling them with its aroma. But do not overdo it with the dosage; the overly strong smell of this herb can cause headaches. Contraindicated for children under seven years of age and pregnant women.
• Motherwort cordial
  . This plant has been known as a medicinal plant for more than 2000 years in Tibetan and Chinese medicine. It has an antibacterial, sedative, anticonvulsant and hemostatic effect. Improves heart activity, strengthens the immune system and stimulates the central nervous system, helping to overcome insomnia. In Rus', buds and stems of motherwort were sewn into pillows for restless children. This medicinal herb is contraindicated for those with low blood pressure and bradycardia.
• Rose
  . It will restore your strength during sleep and make your dreams peaceful and calm, prophetic or romantic.
• Pharmaceutical camomile
  . Hypoallergenic, recommended for children. A restful sleep on such a herbal pillow is guaranteed to everyone, because this ancient medicinal plant can cure depression, neuroses, ease breathing, relieve headaches and heart pain. But you should be careful with the dosage! An excess can cause depression of the central nervous system, causing cough and headaches. Contraindicated for pregnant women and people with mental disorders.
• Rosemary
  . The smell of this plant awakens memory and clears consciousness, tones, can relieve headaches and help avoid nightmares. Do not overdo the dosage, as the aroma of rosemary is very strong.
• Yarrow
  . The smell of this herb stimulates the immune system, protects against flu and respiratory diseases, and has bactericidal properties. Contraindicated for those with high blood pressure.
• Conifers
  . The aromas of needles from plants such as pine, cedar, fir or juniper have antiseptic properties, can relieve heart pain, soften mood swings, and relieve obsessive thoughts. Fir, for example, relaxes and brings peace, and cedar saves you from unpleasant dreams.
• Common hops (cones)
  . This plant is capable of relieving headaches with its aroma, calming and inducing sleep even with prolonged and persistent insomnia. Hops have such a calming effect that it can even reduce potency, so men should use it with caution.
• Citrus fruits
  . The smells of orange, lemon, grapefruit or tangerine not only tone and refresh, but also act as an aphrodisiac.
• Thyme or thyme
  . It has a powerful antiseptic and analgesic effect, has a mild hypnotic effect, inducing calm and sweet dreams. Strengthens the immune system, relieves depression. When you have a cold, the smell of this herb will help ease your breathing. Contraindicated for pregnant and lactating women, ulcer sufferers and those with kidney and liver problems.
• Sage
  . The smell of this plant also has a tonic and healing effect, strengthens the immune system, relieves inflammation, and prevents viral and respiratory diseases. It can calm you down, give you strength, and make you think rationally. Pregnant, lactating and epileptics should not use this plant.

Herbal pillows can be either mono- or polycomponent and contain a set of medicinal plants. The healing effect depends on how skillfully the components of the collection are selected.

Collection of raw materials for filling the pillow

Where to get herbs to fill the pillow, everyone decides for themselves.
You can take the easy route and buy everything at the nearest pharmacy (don't forget about the expiration dates!). Or you can prepare herbs yourself, however, for this you will have to read additional literature, because each herb has its own collection time and harvesting characteristics (where and how to dry), spending a lot of time and effort. But you will be confident in the environmental friendliness and effectiveness of the raw materials. What your herbal pad will be filled with can be divided into two groups: an odorous healing mixture and odorless plant parts to add volume. There should not be a lot of herbal collection, because an excessively strong aroma can harm the sleeper. Herbs must be fresh (so that they smell) and well dried (so that they do not rot).

So that the pillow is not microscopic and you can actually sleep on it, it is stuffed with parts of “neutral” plants (straw, sedge, fireweed fluff, heather, bracken), which give it its shape. For a pillow measuring 20x20 cm you will need about half a kilogram of dry filling.

You can make a herbal mixture yourself, not focusing on those proposed here, but following your preferences and tastes. This set of herbs will be truly unique! But ready-made recipes are still very convenient, because they make the choice easier and save time.

Here are some of them:

1. For mental fatigue: a mixture of equal amounts of tansy, chamomile, black currant and yarrow sprigs.
2. For morning vigor: rose petals, hop cones, sprigs of lavender and marjoram.
3. To relax muscles: equal parts of laurel leaves, sweet clover and wormwood.
4. To improve bronchial function: rosemary, eucalyptus and birch leaves.
5. To raise tone: equal parts lemon balm leaves, dried orange and lemon zest, 2 drops of lemon aroma oil, 1 drop each of orange and tangerine.
6. To find harmony: rose petals, leaves and stems of lavender and lemon balm, 4 drops of rose essential oil, 1 drop of lavender oil.
7. For restless babies (ages 1 year and older): a small amount of chamomile and thyme and 1-2 drops of lavender oil.
8. For excessive sweating: chamomile flowers, calendula flowers and sage leaves.
9. Royal herbal sleep pillow: peppermint, valerian, heather, St. John's wort, buckthorn, chamomile, shamrock, hops, primrose and lavender. The English King George III loved to sleep, inhaling the aroma of such plants.

To solve such a common problem as insomnia, there are many herbal options:

• Hops, lavender and verbena - in equal quantities, orris root, ground into powder - 1/10 of the amount of hops;
• Laurel and fern;
• Fern, laurel and hop cones;
• Hop cones, fern, laurel and mint;
• Immortelle, pine needles, hop cones, mint, geranium, oregano, rose petals, bay leaf;
• Hop cones, fern, geranium;
• Pine needles, mint and hazel leaves, oregano;
• Thyme, mint and sage leaves, lavender sprigs;
• Twigs of wormwood, leaves of mint, meadowsweet and lemon balm, flowers of chamomile;
• Tansy, sweet clover and lavender sprigs;
• Chamomile, rosemary and yarrow;
• Nettle, hops, oregano, calendula flowers and birch leaves;
• Rosemary and chamomile;
• Hop cones, leaves of mint, lemon balm, yarrow, laurel, sprigs of lavender, meadowsweet, sweet clover, wormwood, flowers of chamomile and tansy;
• Sweet clover, lavender and tansy;
• Melissa, mint, wormwood, meadowsweet and chamomile;
• Melissa, thyme and valerian (in smaller quantities).

Remember! If you add oregano, mimosa, strawberries or jasmine to any collection, their presence will enhance the effect of all other herbs. And be careful when using jasmine, as overdosing can cause nightmares.

Fabric and decorative elements for making pillows

Making a grass pillow is not difficult at all.
The tools you will need are scissors, a ruler, chalk for marking, thread and needle, a paper funnel, a sewing machine (you can do without it, in the old days everything was done by hand). There are also few materials: fabric for a pillowcase and a “bedspread” cover, which by analogy can be called a “natcher”, parts of plants to add volume and the actual healing aromatic collection, decorative elements.

Let's take a closer look at some materials:

1. Fabric for the cover
   . Naturally, it should only be natural; for example, linen will do. It is quite thin, but strong (2 times stronger than cotton and 4 times stronger than wool), easy to wash, hygroscopic, has a bactericidal effect, and therefore fungus does not linger on it. Cotton is more common, more practical and cheaper than linen. Wool is the most hygroscopic of all fabrics; its ability to absorb moisture remarkably is undoubtedly a big plus, because dampness is strictly contraindicated for filling a pillow with grass.
2. Fabric for pillowcase
   . Poplin, calico, cambric, satin, silk are suitable. Decide for yourself what type of fabric to make it from. Each of them is good in its own way. It all depends on the purpose of the pillow. For example, calico is inexpensive and has good wear resistance. Poplin is more pleasant to the touch, but its price is relatively low. Such fabrics are suitable for ordinary bedding for your own needs. Batiste is light, transparent, but not strong or wear-resistant enough. You can use it to make an item as a gift for a special occasion, for example, for a wedding, assuming that it will not be used too often. Satin is a fairly durable and more expensive fabric, it shines pleasantly and caresses to the touch, not like silk, but very similar. From this fabric, just like from silk, it is good to sew a gift version of a pillow.
3. Threads
   . Very strong. You can even use synthetic ones. These are not easy to tear, and this is very important if the pillow is intended for a child.
4. Decor
   . Considering the fact that a grass pillow follows folk traditions, it is logical to choose something authentic as decor. For example, embroider - and then you will need a needle and thread for embroidery. Moreover, the threads must be of high quality, not shedding. If you decide to decorate the product with beads, then choose those that will not harm the sleeper, for example, with some aggressive components of their varnish coating. Lace, ribbons and braid should also be safe, made from natural materials.

Instructions for making a herbal pillow

You need to start work in a good mood, and think about something pleasant during the process.
All this will enhance the positive energy of the herbal pad. You may, of course, not believe in this, but our ancestors acted exactly like this, starting good deeds with songs and prayers. In any case, a positive attitude will not do any harm. Instructions for making a herbal pad:

• Preparation
  . First, decide on the parameters of the product. Based on the amount of fabric you have, you determine the size of the pillow and the shape based on its future function. For those who have problems with the neck, for example, osteochondrosis, a pillow in the form of a cushion is suitable. And as a gift for Valentine's Day, you can sew it in the shape of a heart.
• Uncover
  . For the pattern, use thick wax paper or graph paper. Using a pencil and ruler, draw it, cut it out, place it on the fabric and outline it with chalk. Cut out, leaving seam allowances of 1-2 cm.
• Sewing
  . Fold the pattern pieces right sides together and stitch, leaving about 10cm unstitched. Turn the cover inside out and use a paper funnel to stuff it tightly with herbs, sewing the hole by hand. Sew a pillowcase in the same way, however, one side should be left unsewn, the edges should be processed, the fastening option should be considered (a zipper is very convenient), and then decorated as you please.

Features of decorating a pillow made of herbs

In order for the pillow to please you not only with its healing properties, but also with its appearance, and also so that you would not be ashamed to give it to someone, it would not be a bad idea to decorate it.
It shouldn't be complicated, because it's a functional thing, and sleeping on voluminous embroidery or a bunch of bows is very uncomfortable. Let's look at ways to decorate a pillow:

1. Embroidery
   . The filling of the product can be individual, intended for a specific family member. Therefore, it would be appropriate to embroider a beautiful script of the owner’s initials in one of its upper corners. The same applies to a pillow intended as a gift. An embroidered bouquet of medicinal plants will also look good. You can embroider with threads, beads or ribbons.
2. Bows, ribbons, lace, braid
   . Gentle, non-prickly, edging the pillow, they will decorate it and will not interfere with sleep. And in one of the corners you can sew a loop of ribbon or braid so that the pillow can be hung.
3. Buttons and beads
   . With their help you can create very interesting modern decor. For example, sewing embroidered flowers as centers. And so that they do not put pressure on the sleeper’s face, the upper part of the pillow should be decorated.
4. Patchwork (patchwork)
   . In the old days, thrifty housewives often did such things, because a whole piece of fabric was an expensive pleasure. Now patchwork is more of a way to give a second life to beautiful patches. Textured fabric is a decor in itself, but it can also be arranged in the form of a plot picture or match an abstract pattern in color to the bedroom interior.

DIY hug pillow “Tiger Cub”

All toys, including the pillow, are sewn according to the general principle, including the details. The main thing is to collect everything you need and buy fabric that matches the future look.

First you need to make sketches on paper, then patterns. Sew each part separately:

• sew the four paws of the tiger cub, for this you will need eight paws - two for each (and the hind paws should be different from the front);
• turn out the paws and fill them with padding polyester;
• sew each foot on the front side using a sewing machine;
• sew and stuff the tail in the same way, giving it shape;
• the head is made up of two parts, when connecting them, immediately sew on the finished ears;
• Stuff the torso of the tiger cub only after you have collected all the parts: head, tail, paws;
• leave a small gap for stuffing with padding polyester or other material;
• After complete assembly, sew the remaining gap.

Using the same principle, you can sew a rocket, a snake, a dog or a cat. Give your child pleasure - give him unusual pillows from time to time. The main thing is to use your imagination to create an interesting sleep item that will delight your baby.

A hug pillow will always perfectly complement the design of a child's or adult's bedroom. You can take it to the dacha, on a picnic, or on a hike. Give pleasure to yourself and your loved ones. A hug pillow is very easy to make. You will find photos of various products in this article.

What did you see on your pillow in your dream?

If you saw lice

on the pillow, which means in reality you will have to catch someone in a lie. If the pillow is yours and you have just lifted your head from it, you will have to act alone, but if it is the pillow of a loved one, like-minded people and relatives will come to your aid. Lice on a pillow are a positive sign, because the outcome of your confrontation will be positive for you rather than for your opponents.

Spider

on the pillow - to wealth. This insect promises a quick win, victory in a money competition. Money will come to you without much effort and will bring only happiness. If in a dream you brush a spider off your pillow in fear, the path to wealth will be short and smooth, and if the spider evokes affection, and you are glad to be in such a neighborhood, you will have to compete for the prize.

Blood

on the pillow can be a signal from the body that something is going wrong. Don’t be afraid: perhaps an old illness or injury has made itself felt. In order not to torment yourself with guesses, listen to your body and visit a doctor, he will be able to dispel all your fears. Also, such a dream suggests that you need to unload your head. You restrain your emotions, digest your experiences within yourself. Give vent to your feelings and you will immediately feel freer.