Bye,Bye Back Aches

I’m not really much of a sewing kind of girl. Every time I try I usually end up with crooked hems and punctured thumbs. However, as I was going through my crafting totes the other day in attempts to organize the chaos, I realized I have lots and lots of fabric scraps. I’m not really sure how I’ve amassed such a collection over the years, being a non-sewist and all. Nevertheless, the scraps are there so I might as well use them. 

I put together this little fabric project, because recently I have been plagued with lower back pain. I also received my first-ever Social Security statement in the mail yesterday, so I can’t help but think these events are related. 😉 But seriously, I think it’s because my years of being a stomach sleeper have caught up with me. 

This lumbar aromatherapy pillow is the answer to lower back pain and it is so easy to make.

Here’s what you need:

How much fabric you use depends on exactly how big you want your pillow to be. I used a scrap that was approximately 18in x 18in and it made a nice sized pillow. 

The first step is you need to fold your rough fabric edges in and attach with hem tape… Like so

They make different kinds of hem tape, but the kind I used adheres with low heat from an iron on a no steam setting. You can also use the peel and stick kind, but I think the heat bonded kind adheres better in the long run. 

Once you have your edges nice and neat, fold your fabric in half and heat bond your long edges with hem tape. 

At this point you should have three finished sides- your folded side, and your two heat bonded sides. For extra strength, I did a basic stitch with the black thread over the hem tape, on those three sides. You might be able to skip this step, but you really don’t want flax seed to spill out, so use your judgement!  

Once you are done stitching, you can add your flax seed and lavender buds. Then, very carefully   fold over the last edge and seal with hem tape. Once completely sealed, stitch over the last side with your black thread. You’re done! 

This pillow can be heated in the microwave for up to 45 seconds before use to help relieve pain and release the relaxing lavender oil. 

Enjoy!