Upon purchase in the UK, not all wedge pillows come with free covers, so if you want to keep yours clean, follow this guide on how to make a cover for a bed wedge pillow.
What is a Bed Wedge Pillow?
Sleep apnea, sinus pressure, and acid reflux can affect the quality of sleep you’re getting. A bed wedge pillow is a perfect solution as it elevates the upper or lower body. Elevating can help improve circulation, relieve pressure, pain, and discomfort, and reduce snoring.
Manufacturers often produce bed wedge pillows out of memory foam or polyfoam. It has a triangular shape, and high-quality bed wedge pillows are more durable than standard pillows, and they stay in shape longer. The angle of your pillow depends on the height and specific conditions you want to address. Wedge pillows are also commonly used by pregnant women to ease the pain and discomfort of pregnancy. You can also use it for sitting comfortably while reading a book or watching TV in bed.
How to Make a Cover for a Bed Wedge Pillow
Most cushions are usually quadrilateral, so what sets wedge pillows aside is their triangular shape. They come in different sizes, and designers make them incline half of the user’s body and provide maximum comfort.
However, along with its unique shape is the difficulty in looking for pillowcases tailored just for them. They are also significantly more prominent, so universal covers would not cut out for them either. If you want a pillowcase for it, sew one yourself instead.
Step 1: Get the dimensions of your wedge pillow
Manufacturers produce wedge pillows to come in different sizes. That is because it has many benefits to people’s health, precisely the quality of their sleep. Therefore, they are sometimes customised, and their dimensions differ from person to person.
One can also choose the sizes depending on the user’s body build, precisely their height and weight. Manufacturers also adjust their inclination depending on the target medical condition, such as body pains, sinus problems, and acid reflux, among many.
Otherwise, there is also standard size, ranging from 20 to 25 inches on both the length and width. Determining the dimensions of your pillow is crucial in estimating the amount of fabric that you will end up using for this DIY pillowcase project.
Step 2: Prepare the required equipment and materials
For the material for the cover, there are different types to choose from. Please don’t go for natural fabrics, such as cotton, as they are highly absorbent, leading to oil and sweat buildup. However, you can use ones that mixed with synthetic fibres.
Kraft paper, preferably the ones sold in rolls as they are more comprehensive in size, will be used for the activity. Also, prepare a zipper that should at least be as long as the bottom side of your wedge pillow.
For this project, you can use a sewing machine, although it is not necessary. If you don’t have one, you can stitch the pillowcase by hand instead, but that will take more time. If you go for the latter, prepare your needle and thread.
You would also need a marking tool, such as a pencil or marker, and a cutting instrument, like a pair of scissors or a cutter. A ruler or whatever measuring device you have and straight pins are required for alignment as well.
Step 3: How to make a cover for a bed wedge pillow
Before proceeding to the fabric, get your kraft paper and trace your wedge pillow’s size and shape first. Note the flat triangular surface first, then turn to the sides. There must be seam allowances of around half an inch on all edges.
You must trace all of the cushion’s faces, which involves the front and back, and the three sides that determine the wedge pillow’s depth. Afterwards, cut the kraft paper pattern and proceed to the next step.
Lay the patterns flat on the fabric, and you can even temporarily fasten them using straight pins to eliminate errors. Once the paper and the cloth are aligned, you can start cutting the material to match the pattern’s shape.
If the pattern is already on the fabric, attach the different surfaces using pins so that when sewed, the pillowcase will be intact. However, before so, make sure that the cover is turned the wrong side out.
Also, remember to leave an opening on the bottom edge of the backside of the wedge for the zipper. Afterwards, sew all the pieces together with the exemption of the sides for the opened part.
Don’t turn the cover inside out just yet and pin the zipper on the opening. Also, experts recommend having it is closed before sewing it on the fabric. All that is left to do is open the zipper, flip the cover right side out, and insert your wedge pillow form.
Final Thoughts on How to Make a Cover for Bed Wedge Pillow
Knowing how to make a cover for a bed wedge pillow is crucial if you own one. The case can help in lengthening the lifespan of your cushion and shields it from dust and stain. If your wedge pillow gets soiled, you would only need to wash the cover alone.