If you want to try learning how to make a down pillow, you’ll be pleased that it only takes two steps. Those who are familiar with making feather pillows can use the same technique to make the pillow liner and then stuff it for making a down pillow. Gone are the days where you’re overlooking down pillows because of their price.
You can experience the moldability, softness, and breathability of a down pillow at a lower cost by making your own. You’ll be surprised how easy it is to customize the down pillow to your liking from the size, loft, and firmness. And as a bonus, this article offers additional information on this DIY luxury pillow.
How Do You Make A Down Pillow
Making a down pillow is straightforward because you’ll only sew the liner and stuff it with the down filling. You can always modify the steps below and make adjustments to customize the down pillow for yourself. However, it’s best to use quality materials from the fabric to the down to ensure your pillow’s longevity.
Step #1. Sewing
You can use any pillow pattern you want, including how big you need it to be. The most basic pillow for stuffing with down is a rectangular one around 24 by 30 inches long. Therefore, you’ll need to cut two rectangles with this size plus half an inch of seam allowance.
Line up the edges and pin the two pieces into place to make sewing more comfortable. You can opt to use a sewing machine or do the stitching yourself, making sure to leave at least four inches unsewn as an opening for stuffing later. The emphasis is necessary on sewing two seams for additional security and to keep the pillow from spilling down over time.
Step #2. Filling
Once you have the liner, you can start stuffing it with down. Fill the pillow as much as you want until you achieve the loft you require. Remember that the amount of down you’ll use will affect how flat, firm or puffy your end down pillow will be.
Typically, you’ll need three pounds of down to fill a standard-size pillow, but you can always experiment and add other types of fill material. Once done, turn the gap’s edges by half an inch for the seam and secure it closed. Some even prefer adding a zipper to make fill adjustment and replacement more convenient if needed.
What Is A Down Pillow?
A down pillow uses down sourced from the chest area of a duck or goose. The result is a uniquely soft and springy pillow, which also happens to be pricey compared to other pillow types. Down pillows are even the most expensive pillows in the market because the materials are not as readily available.
According to the American Down and Feather Council, you can be rest-assured that down products are thoroughly sanitized by washing, rinsing, and drying at high temperatures. There are also sanitation requirements in every country that the products must meet before they’re approved to enter.
Additionally, you can check for Bluesign and Responsible Down certifications to ensure the quality of the down you’re using. These certifications guarantee that the producer adhered to the worker and environmental standards. This way, you’ll feel more at ease with how down is produced and if the practices are humane.
How is a down pillow different from a feather pillow?
The feathers used for feather pillows came from the fowl’s wings and back instead of the chest area. Compared to the luxuriously soft feeling that down pillows offer, feather pillows are less fluffy. It would be best to use a thick pillowcase for them as well since the quills can poke through the pillow and make it uncomfortable to use.
More so, down offers a clustered structure that won’t require manual fluffing to maintain it. You will notice that the pillow is buoyant, especially if the material is from older birds in cold climates. The compression is excellent but also loose enough for optimal airflow.
What is fill power?
A term common among down pillows is the fill power, and it merely pertains to the pillow’s loft. The higher the fill power is, the fluffier the down pillow will be. The maximum number is 850, but anything above 650 is a high-quality down product.
Caring For Down Pillows
The biggest issue that can damage your down pillow is moisture. Therefore, always use a pillow cover and avoid getting the pillow wet. You can still maintain the down pillow’s cleanliness by washing the liner, but never with the stuffing.
You can also vacuum or wipe the pillow to get rid of any build-up on the surface. However, remember not to store them compressed because it can break the form of the material. Humidity and oils are also damaging factors, so always be mindful when using or storing the pillow.
Conclusion
You don’t have to spend a lot to get the coziest pillow made of down. You can quickly master how to make a down pillow at the comfort of your own home in two steps. First, sew the liner according to the shape and size you want.
The emphasis is on securing the stitches to prevent the pillow from spilling down. Afterward, you can fill it with down to achieve the form you want. You can also combine down with other stuffing materials.