Yoga bolster: your handy companion for relaxing stretches—Sew a firm cotton pillow with this tutorial
This yoga bolster supports the body during relaxing yoga and stretching sessions. This is why the pillow needs to be moldable but firm. The zippered cover is easy to wash whenever needed.
Yoga bolster: materials
- Sturdy cotton fabric (e.g., denim)
- Cotton sheet fabric
- 70 cm concealed zipper
- About 5 kg of buckwheat hulls
- Sewing machine and sewing supplies
- Measuring tape, pencil, and pattern paper
Yoga bolster: instructions
1. Draw the following pattern pieces: an end circle with a 22 cm diameter, a rectangular main piece measuring 64 × 69 cm, and a handle measuring 7 × 22 cm.
2. Note! When cutting, add a 1 cm seam allowance to every piece. Cut the following pieces from the outer fabric: 2 end circles, 1 rectangle, and 1 handle. For the inner pillow, cut 4 end circles and 2 rectangles from the sheet fabric.
3. Sew the concealed zipper along the 64 cm edges (66 cm including seam allowances) of the rectangular piece. The zipper will bring the edges together and close the piece into a tube. It should be longer than the side of the rectangle, which makes it easier to attach fully. Open the zipper and pin or baste it to the fabric edges. Check that the ends of the fabric pieces line up properly by closing the zipper. Stitch the zipper on, as close as possible to the teeth, rolling the teeth open as you go. A presser foot with a groove underneath makes it easier to guide the zipper teeth. Finally, finish the seam allowances with a zigzag stitch.
4. Sew the handle: Fold the piece with the right sides together. Sew along the long edge, then turn the tube right side out. Press it flat so the seam lies along one side. Topstitch the piece near the edges. Position the handle in the center of one end circle and baste it at the edges.
5. Sew the end circles onto the ends of the main piece: First, fold each circle in half and mark the halfway points with pins or pencil. Fold again so the previous marks meet, and mark the quarter points. Make similar markings on the ends of the main tube. Match the pieces using these markings, with right sides facing. Before sewing, open the zipper so you can turn the piece right side out after sewing. Sew the ends, finish the seam allowances with a zigzag stitch, and turn the piece right side out.
6. Sew the inner pillow using the sheet fabric. The inner piece is sewn with two layers of fabric for better durability. First, sew the edges of the rectangular piece together, but leave a 10 cm opening in the center for turning and filling. Then sew the circles to its ends. Working with two layers can be tricky, but a few small tucks won't matter. You don’t necessarily need to finish the inner seam allowances unless the fabric frays easily.
Tip!
Joining a curved piece and a straight piece is easier if you proceed slowly. Place the straight edge underneath and the curved piece on top. Stop often (with the needle down) and align the edges a small section at a time.
7.Turn the inner pillow right side out through the small opening. Fill the pillow with buckwheat hulls or another filling material through the same opening. It’s easier if you use a paper funnel or cut a funnel from a wide-neck plastic bottle. Check occasionally to see how full you want the pillow. The bolster should be firm and supportive, but leaving a little space makes it more adaptable. Finally, close the opening with a hand-stitched seam.
8. Slip the inner pillow inside the cover.
Tips!
- Do you want a larger or smaller yoga bolster? You can scale the pillow size as follows: first, decide on the diameter of the end (for instance, 25 cm). Then calculate the main piece circumference using this formula: 25 × pi (3.14) = 78.5 cm.
- Prewash the outer fabric before sewing so it won’t shrink and become too small for the inner pillow.
- An old bedsheet is a good choice for the inner pillow. Sewing it from two layers of fabric helps it withstand the heavy hull filling.
- Buckwheat hulls, a by-product of cultivation, make an ideal filling. If you prefer, you can use textile scraps instead. They’ll also provide good support.
