The Homemade Travel Neck Pillow

As I mentioned in a previous post, I found  on Pinterest the amazing idea of creating your own neck pillow and then stuffing it full of clothes! Absolutel genius! Thank you ducttapeguitar!

I sent the pin to my grandmother, one of the craftiest people I know, and we got to work. My mom supplied me a men's medium shirt, which I folded in half the "hot-dog" way and, after meticulously flattening it out, I attempted to draw half of a big "C," because they are not really shaped like "U." If you mess up, it's okay because the side you draw on will be the inside!

Make sure to make it pretty big. I tried to make it as wide as possible, especially since you need extra fabric for the sewing. I think it was close to 6 inches wide at the fattest parts near both ends. Also, keep the inner part of the pillow wide enough to fit comfortably around your neck! Cut out your masterpiece and put it around your neck. If it is very close to your neck, I suggest doing some trimming. Remember, when you stuff the pillow, it is going to become very fat and wide; That would make me feel a little claustrophobic.

I know, I should have taken pictures, but I didn't think about it until after we had sewn it up!

After my grandmother sewed it up except for a 2-inch space on top and bottom of the middle of the pillow, I took a pair of scissors and made small slits all the way around on the extra fabric almost to the sewn thread. This helps with the curves of the pillow when you turn it right side out.

Now here's where my grandma got fancy on me. She took a sleeve and made overlapping flaps for the hole so your clothes (i.e. lacy unmentionables) can't be seen when the fabric pulls back from being stuffed! Is she a genius or what?

Here's the result:

What is in it right now: 4 pairs of underwear, yoga pants, two tank tops, and a light shirt. 

The "arm" portions are a bit heavy, but they are pretty stiff which I like. The back of the neck portion is softer and not as full, so I could actually fit more in there if I wanted.

 Could I fit a pair of jeans? Maybe if it was the only thing in there, but items like tshirts, tank tops, and other squishable items work best.

It is a bit lumpy, but the point of it is its efficiently, not looks!

My Grandma did such a great job! :)

xx