Have you ever laid your head on a buckwheat hull pillow? The gentle rustle of the hulls and the customizable support they provide make for a unique and satisfying sleeping experience. If you’re like me and want to dive into the world of DIY comfort, making your own buckwheat hull pillows is a fantastic project. In this post, I’ll guide you through the process and share a bit about the history of these distinctive pillows.
A Brief History of Buckwheat Pillows
Buckwheat hull pillows have a history rooted in Asia, where they originated centuries ago. Initially used in Japan, these pillows became popular for their natural cooling properties and support. The practice spread to other Asian countries, and eventually, buckwheat pillows gained recognition in the West for their comfort and ability to conform to the shape of the head and neck.
Step 1: Sourcing Buckwheat Hulls
The first step in your DIY journey is acquiring buckwheat hulls in bulk. Many health food stores and online retailers offer them at affordable prices. Ensure that you’re getting high-quality, organic hulls to guarantee a comfortable and chemical-free sleep.
Step 2: Gather Your Materials
You’ll need:
- Buckwheat hulls
- Fabric for pillowcases (Organic cotton or linen are ideal. We love www.fabric-store.com! They have sales all the time on quality cotton and linen. An ongoing promo code is ilovelinen for 7% off.)
- Sewing machine or needle and thread
- Invisible Zipper (optional)
- Funnel and scoop for easy filling
Step 3: Measure and Cut
After you have acquired your fabric, wash your fabric before cutting to ensure it doesn’t shrink after you have cut it and made it.
Decide on the size of your pillow and cut your fabric accordingly. Remember to add a couple inches of fabric for your seams!
We made our pillows the Japanese size which is 14 inches by 20 inches. They are usually filled with about 5 pounds of hulls.
A standard size pillows are 20 inches by 26 inches and are usually filled with about 8 pounds of hulls.
A king size pillow is 20 inches by 36 inches and 12-15 pounds.
While we enjoy our larger pillows, with a buckwheat hull pillow, less is more. It would be more difficult to move/adjust a heavier pillow. We actually took hulls out of our Japanese sized pillows so there are only about 3-4 pounds of hulls in ours.
Everyone has different preferences, adjust accordingly and pick what you think will work best for you, your comfort, and your home!
Step 4: Sewing Your Buckwheat Pillow Case
Using a sewing machine or by hand-sewing, stitch the edges of the fabric. Attach the zipper or leave a gap in the fabric to fill the pillow.
Double-stitch for durability! It would be very messy if a seam broke and hulls spilled everywhere!
Step 5: Filling the Pillow
Place the funnel to the opening and carefully pour in the buckwheat hulls.
Use a scale to help estimate how much buckwheat hulls normally goes in a pillow your size.
Adjust the firmness by adding or removing hulls until you find your perfect comfort level.
Step 6: Seal the Deal
Once satisfied, sew the opening shut securely or zip it shut. Your custom buckwheat hull pillow is ready for a good night’s sleep.
*Some people recommend allowing the hulls to air out and get some sunshine every month or two (which is why we attached a zipper on our pillows). I think it matters on how much moisture the hulls get in the environment. We haven’t aired them out and they have been fine.
Benefits of Buckwheat Pillows
- Supportive: Buckwheat hulls conform to the shape of your head and neck, providing excellent support for a restful night’s sleep.
- Breathable: The natural structure of buckwheat hulls allows air to circulate, keeping your pillow cool and preventing overheating.
- Adjustable: Easily customize the firmness of your pillow by adding or removing hulls to suit your preferences.
Conclusion
Making your own buckwheat hull pillow is not only a fun DIY project but also a fantastic way to enjoy the unique benefits of this age-old sleep accessory. As you rest your head on your new pillow, you’ll not only appreciate the comfort it brings but also the sense of accomplishment that comes with creating something personalized for your well-being.
If you aren’t up for a DIY right now, you can definitely order your own pillow online! The LOFE Organic Buckwheat Pillow and Sobakawa Traditional Buckwheat Standard Size Pillow are a couple good ones!
Leave a Reply