What you need to sew a body pillow

A body pillow is a long, narrow pillow you can make at home with basic sewing skills and materials you can buy at any fabric store. You will need two pieces of fabric cut to the same size (usually 20 inches wide by 54 inches long for a standard body pillow), thread that matches or complements your fabric, a needle or sewing machine, scissors, pins, and polyester fiberfill or another pillow stuffing. Most people also use a measuring tape and a pattern, though you can draw your own rectangle on paper first.

The fabric itself matters less than its weight. Cotton quilting fabric, cotton-linen blends, and minky (a soft knit fabric) all work well. Avoid anything too thin or stretchy unless you are experienced, because thin fabric tears easily under the weight of filling, and stretchy fabric can pucker when you sew. A yard of 45-inch-wide fabric is usually enough for one body pillow.

Key Takeaways

  • Cut two identical rectangles of fabric, pin them together with the right sides facing inward, and sew three sides closed, leaving one short end open for stuffing.
  • Turn the pillow right-side out through the opening, press the seams flat with an iron, and fill it firmly with polyester fiberfill using a handful at a time.
  • Hand-stitch the opening closed using a ladder stitch, which hides the seam inside the fold of fabric and leaves an invisible closure.
  • A standard body pillow takes two to four hours to sew and stuff, depending on whether you use a machine or hand-sew.

Cutting and pinning your fabric pieces

Lay both pieces of fabric on a flat surface with the right sides (the pretty sides you want to see) facing each other. Pin all four edges together, spacing pins about 4 inches apart so the fabric does not shift while you sew. If your fabric has a pattern or direction you want to match, check that both pieces are oriented the same way before you pin.

Mark a 6-inch opening on one of the short ends with a pen or chalk. This is where you will turn the pillow right-side out and stuff it later. You do not sew this section—mark it clearly so you do not accidentally sew it closed.

Sewing the three closed sides

Using a sewing machine set to a straight stitch, sew along three sides of the rectangle with a half-inch seam allowance (the distance between your stitching line and the edge of the fabric). Start at one corner of the marked opening, sew down the long side, across the short end, and up the other long side, stopping when you reach the other end of the marked opening. Backstitch at the beginning and end to lock your stitches in place.

If you are hand-sewing, use a running stitch or backstitch and aim for stitches about one-eighth inch long. This takes longer but gives you more control. Either way, sew slowly around corners and check that you have not caught any loose threads or pins in your seam.

Turning and pressing the pillow

Trim the seam allowance at the corners to about one-quarter inch, cutting diagonally across each corner without cutting into your stitching. This reduces bulk so the corners lie flat when you turn the pillow right-side out. Clip the seam allowance along the long sides every 2 inches or so, cutting perpendicular to the seam—this helps curved seams lie smooth, though body pillows have straight seams so this step is optional.

Reach through the opening and grab the fabric from the inside, then pull the whole pillow through the opening so the right sides now face outward. Use a blunt tool like a chopstick or the eraser end of a pencil to push the corners out fully. Press the seams flat with an iron on a medium setting, paying special attention to the opening edge, which you will hand-stitch closed later.

Filling the pillow evenly

Stuff the pillow with small handfuls of fiberfill, working from one end toward the opening. Push each handful into the corners and along the edges first, then fill the middle. A standard body pillow needs about 4 to 6 pounds of fiberfill, depending on how firm you want it. Compress each handful slightly as you add it so the filling is even and does not shift later.

Stop filling when the pillow feels full but still slightly soft—you should be able to compress it a little with your hand. Overstuffing makes the seams strain and can cause them to split. Understuffing leaves the pillow lumpy and flat. If you are unsure, fill it less at first and add more before you close the opening.

Closing the opening with a ladder stitch

Thread a needle with thread that matches your fabric and knot the end. Fold the raw edges of the opening inward by half an inch and press them flat. Bring your needle up through the fold on one side of the opening, then slide it horizontally inside the fold for about half an inch and come back out. Cross to the opposite side of the opening and repeat, sliding the needle inside the fold on that side.

Continue this back-and-forth pattern along the entire opening. Every few stitches, gently pull the thread tight—the two sides of the opening will draw together and the seam will disappear inside the fold. When you reach the end, make a small stitch in place, bring the needle out through the fold, and trim the thread. The opening should now be invisible from the outside.

Finishing touches and care

Once the pillow is closed, give it a gentle squeeze and massage to distribute the filling evenly. If you notice any lumps, open a small section of the ladder stitch, add or remove filling as needed, and re-stitch. Let the pillow rest for a day or two so the filling settles into its final shape.

Body pillows can be washed by hand in cool water with mild soap, or machine-washed on a gentle cycle in a mesh bag. Air-dry completely before use. Over time, fiberfill compresses and may need fluffing or replacement—many people open one end, remove some of the old filling, and add fresh fiberfill to restore the pillow's firmness.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a sewing machine if I have never sewn before?

Yes. A straight stitch on a sewing machine is the easiest way to sew a body pillow. Practice on scrap fabric first to get a feel for the speed and how to guide the fabric. Most machines have a presser foot that helps keep your seam straight, so you mainly need to feed the fabric at a steady pace.

What is the difference between polyester fiberfill and other stuffing materials?

Polyester fiberfill is the most common and affordable choice, holds its shape well, and is machine-washable. Down and feather filling are softer but more expensive, clump over time, and require special care. Cotton batting is firmer and good for a more structured pillow. For a first body pillow, polyester fiberfill is the practical choice.

How much fabric do I need?

One yard of 45-inch-wide fabric is enough for one standard body pillow. If your fabric is narrower, you may need to piece two sections together, which adds a seam down the middle of the pillow. Check the width of your fabric before you buy.

What if my seams are crooked or uneven?

Minor unevenness does not affect how the pillow works or looks once it is stuffed. If a seam is badly off or you have a gap, you can open that section by carefully cutting the stitches with a seam ripper, re-sew it, and trim the loose threads. This is easier to fix before you stuff the pillow.

Can I add a zipper so I can wash the cover separately?

Yes. Install a zipper along one of the short ends before you sew the three closed sides. Sew the zipper to the opening edges, then sew the rest of the pillow as normal. This takes more skill and time but lets you remove and wash the cover without disturbing the filling.