How to Make Travel Pillows

People carry travel pillows to make their trip more comfortable. They are small by design, to take up minimal space. They can be square, round or U-shaped and filled with anything from poly-fiber to buckwheat hulls. In stores they run from $8 to $45, but you can make a simple travel pillow at home for much less and you don't even have to know how to sew.

Instructions

1

Decide what fabric you would like your pillow to be made from. It doesn't have to be fleece for this project to be successful, but fleece is easy to handle and doesn't fray. It is a great way to recycle old polar fleece shirts which makes your travel pillow even more affordable. If you decide not to use fleece, choose a knit fabric or a material with Lycra to avoid frayed edges.

2

Decide on the size and shape of your pillow. If using an insert, measure the pillow or pillow form. If using poly-fill, decide how large you would like your pillow to be. A standard rectangle travel pillow is 12 inches high and 16 inches wide, about half the size of a bedroom pillow. If making a U-shaped pillow, make a mock-up first using rolled up kitchen towels.

3

When you have your measurements, add 4 inches to the height and 4 inches to the length. Lay your fabric flat and carefully cut the material. Place the two pieces of fabric on top of each other, good sides out. Place a ruler 2 inches from the edge of the fabric. Leaving 2 inches on each side, cut the fabric at 1-inch intervals all the way around the pillow, making a 2-inch long fringe.

4

Beginning in one corner, tie the two pieces of fleece together by twisting them into a knot. A simple twist know will allow the fabric from the opposite side to the displayed.

5

When you have tied three sides, it is time to fill your pillow. Insert the pillow form or stuff with poly-fill. Tie the fringe on the remaining side.