Make Your Own Back Pillow
Okay, no over 40 jokes! Yes, I use a back pillow, and without it my neck hurts. Sadly I lost my way too expensive memory foam back pillow on the airplane trip to Ca. I couldn’t bring myself to buy another one, so I decided to see if I could make one.
This is definitely an easy project. Plus, it is sure to improve your posture!
Materials:
- 2″ thick foam cushion
- Batting
- Fabric
- Sharpie or fabric marker
- Coordinating thread
- Velcro
- Pins
- Sewing machine
- Electric carving knife
Instructions:
I used another back pillow as a guide to create the shape for my DIY back pillow:
Here are the dimensions I used for my pillow.
1. Mark the outer dimensions onto your foam.
2. Cut the shape out using an electric carving knife (you can try scissors or x-acto knife, but nothing cuts through foam “like butter” than an old fashioned electric carving knife.)
3. Mark 3″ in from the side on top of the cushion and 1″ up from the bottom on the side. Connect the dots with a diagonal line. Repeat on the opposite side. Then draw a line connecting the points on the front of the cushion.
4. Use the carving knife to cut off the diagonal shapes.
5. Lay the foam cushion on top of the batting.
Use the foam as a guide to cut enough batting to wrap around your pillow form as shown:
6. Cut a piece of fabric that will also wrap around the cushion and and leave an extra 5″ on the length. Also, allow an extra 3/4″ for seam allowance on the sides.
7. Fold over one end two times for a hem. Make sure the hem is large enough to accommodate the width of the velcro. Iron the hem to hold it in place.
8. Sew the hem.
9. Pin the velcro onto the hem you just sewed.
10. Stitch the one velcro strip ont0 the right side of the fabric.
11. Figure out where the other strip of velcro needs to sit and pin it in place. Fold over the raw edge and sew the hem. Then stitch your 2nd piece of velcro in place.
Test the fit to make sure the fabric is pulled snug over your cushion when the velcro is secured.
12. Time to add the sides. Stand your cushion up on its end and draw around the shape, allowing at least 3/4″ seam allowance. Cut two identical pieces (one for each side).
13. Put the cover on the cushion inside out. And pin your end shapes inside the cover.
Cut small slits to fringe the ends of the tight radius turns. Do not cut past where your stitching will go.
14. Carefully remove the cushion from the cover.
Stitch the ends onto the body of the cover.
Trim the excess fabric off the seams.
15. Turn the cover right sides out and insert your cushion into the cover. Hooray! You are done!
I actually use this cushion in the car for driving. It fits perfectly between the sides of the seat.
Thank you for the tutorial, will make this tomorrow. I might try to put some heavy elastic on the back that can over the back of a chair to keep it from falling. Have you tried that??
Thanks for the tutorial
Hi! Thanks for the great tutorial. Where did you find the foam?? Thanks!
You can buy it at a fabric store.
What a great idea! My dh can’t drive long without a back pillow and he always leaves it in the other car. I need to make one of these for the other car.
I need to make one for my office chair now ;-). I’d love to see a picture if you make one.
Thank you for this tutorial! I could really use one of these in my van. Who knew it would be so easy.
I absolutely LOVE this! You have such great tutorials Brittany. IF I dare tackle this, my back will thank you 10 fold. 🙂 I’m just getting started on these DIY projects, thanks to you and a few others!
Carmen, oh I’m sure you can do this. The hardest part was sewing on the sides, but the fringing makes it easier.
Okay seriously, is there anything you can not make?
I love this tutorial – I’ve just been using throw pillows as support and it’s just not the same.
Definitely not the same. My back knows the difference. I do have to say that I think this pillow is more comfortable than the memory foam one! And because the memory foam one gets REALLY hard in the winter, this one should be better in the cold too.
Love this! Great job, and great instructions!
Great job! I desperately need a seat cushion for in the car…this has planted the seed for me…maybe I can make my own!
I bet you can make one! It was easy.
Me too! My boyfriend is in desperate need of a cushion for back, hip, and leg pain. But he’s a really big guy, and I have yet to find one big enough that doesn’t cost a ridiculous sum of money. I’ve been trying to figure out which kind of foam might work. This might just do it.
Brilliant, I will use your tutorial to make one…I’m finding I really need one these days, my body is getting too old for my mind!
I’d love to see a picture if you do make one.
You make it look SO easy!
Becky B.
http://www.organizingmadefun.com
Organizing Made Fun
Very nicely described photo/word tutorial. Clear (and very useful too).
Thanks and you are very welcome.
Too cute! You did a great job!
I would never make jokes about someone using a back pillow…I use one everywhere I sit..especially in the car! Getting old hurts! 🙂
Thanks. I seriously think it was 2 pregnancies that hurt my body more than age. But, maybe it was a coincidence that they happened around the same time ;-D