Whether you pray, meditate, or have your own spiritual practice, it pays to know how to make a prayer pillow. Prayers and meditation are effective in centering your heart and mind. It improves focus, aids in relaxation, increases mental clarity, and develops interpersonal interaction.
If you dedicate at least 10 minutes per day (increasing as you go), you’ll be able to transform your outlook on life. To make your prayer time more comfortable, you might want to learn how to make a prayer pillow.
Factors to Consider Before Making a Prayer Pillow
Before you can make a prayer pillow, there are several factors you need to consider:
Your Posture While Praying
Do you pray with your legs crossed or do you kneel? Consider your prayer position and figure out which one is most comfortable and sustainable for you. Here are some of the attributes of good posture for prayer positions:
Back Straight
Your neck and back should be aligned as it keeps the body alert and focused.
Stability
You to make sure that the pillow is stable, so you’ll be able to pray without any distractions.
Comfort
Comfort is another factor you need to consider. You want to be relaxed and comfortable as you pray, so your pillow must be soft and large enough to accommodate your weight.
There are thin prayer pillows, V-shaped ones, and the classic round cushions. The cushions should be firm and filled with soft, fluffy material like kapok. Some prayer cushions are similar to zafus, or a meditation cushion. These cushions originate in Japan and it’s commonly used for Zazen, a form of Japanese Zen meditation.
Your Comfort
As mentioned, a comfortable prayer pillow will help you stay focused during your prayers. If you pray while sitting or crossing your legs, you might need a pillow that supports your back. If you prefer kneeling, you can sew a pillow that’s fluffy enough to not hurt your knees.
Seiza position, or the pose that originated in Japan, is the best position when praying. You come into a kneeling position with your heels upright. The Seiza position is best for people who should put stress on their knees, and it also encourages good posture.
The materials used
Some of the most common materials used to make prayer pillows include cotton, kapok fiber, polyester, buckwheat hulls, and wool.
The materials that go into the pillows should be of high quality so the pillows remain firm and could support your body. Low-quality materials could result in clumping. Another popular choice for prayer and meditation pillows is buckwheat hulls. They’re heavier, provide more support, and they can also adapt to your sitting position.
On the other hand, wool cushions are lightweight and durable. They’re not as firm as cushions made out of kapok; they’re softer and more comfortable to sit or kneel on. Meditation experts recommend wool cushions because it supports blood circulation.
A Step-By-Step Guide on How to Make a Prayer Pillow
Now that you know the factors you need to consider to make a prayer pillow, the next step is to learn how to make one.
Prayer pillows are one of the best items to give to the people you love. You can add personalized prayers, Bible verses, special photos, and more, making them a perfect gift for baptisms, hospital stays, or for a random thinking-of-you gift. Prayer pillows are also great in helping your kids remember their nighttime prayers.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to make a prayer pillow:
Step 1: Select a verse, image, or prayer
Choose a prayer, Bible verse, or image you want to place in front of the pillow. Take a picture or print a prayer with a size that’s appropriate for the size of your pillow. In this tutorial, we’ll use a standard 16×16 inch pillow.
Step 2: Start cutting the fabric
Place your fabric on a flat, clean surface and cut two squares (17×17 inches). At this size, you can place it on top of the pillow form and have the additional inch as an allowance. You can use different fabrics for each side of the pillow if you want a different design for both.
Step 3: Transfer the design from paper to the fabric
Transfer a photocopy of your chosen design on top of the fabric using a piece of equipment that can transfer the design from paper to fabric. You can find these transfer mediums at arts and crafts stores. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Step 4: Position the fabric atop the pillow and pin it down
Place the fabric on top of the pillows with the right sides facing upward. Put three pins down on the sides to hold the fabric down.
Step 5: Use a machine for stitching
Use a machine to stitch an inch from the edges of the pillow by the pins on the side. End the seam an inch from the fourth unpinned edge to allow for allowance for the fourth edge.
Step 6: Turn the pillow inside out and flatten the seams
Flip the pillow and turn it inside out. Take the open side of the pillow and fold them inside by an inch. Use an iron to flatten the seams around the pillow. Be sure to use the right heat setting specific to the fabric you’re using.
Step 7: Follow the package instructions of an iron-on adhesive
Purchase an iron-on adhesive and follow the package instructions. Iron the adhesive and place them along the inner edges of the unsewn side of the pillow. These strips will allow you to open and close the pillows for easy cleaning.
Step 8: Fill the pillowcase and close the adhesive strips
Place the filler inside your pillowcase and press the adhesive strips together to close it.
Final Thoughts on How to Make a Prayer Pillow
Now that you know how to make a prayer pillow, you’ll be able to make one for your family and friends. Choose the best scripture, message, or prayer to personalize your pillows.