Making Neck Pillows, Oh, My!

As usual, the world wide web is a wealth of information about making neck pillows: decorative, scented, or medicinal, it is all there.

Here are some sites worth reviewing if you want to make one yourself:

Kids-sewing gives a simple diagram of how to draw a kids’ pillow, using fleece material. It could be stuffed with polyester fiberfill or just plain uncooked rice. Then pop it in either the freezer or the microwave to comfort a child.

A pattern for a neck pillow in the shape of a dog bone can be found here at dogbone pattern.

But why limit this pillow to children? An adult pillow can be made easily, and the DIY website provides the easiest way I found to make a neck pillow.

And with step by step directions given by Sew Mamma, this tutorial for a Rice Heat Therapy Bag with Washable Cover looks simple enough.

Comfy Country Creations says this about Scented Neck Pillows:

Heated, scented neck pillows can give relief to sore, aching muscles while soothing the soul. Drape it around your neck, lay it across your back, or slip it between the sheets to warm the bed before retiring for the night. They are easily made and can be filled with grains or add some herbs and spices for a tranquil aroma.

A scented pillow sounds great! So I found this site which gave a recipe for scented rice:

In a glass Mason-type jar pour a teaspoon or slightly more of potpourri-type fragrance or essential oil, swirling the jar around to coat the insides. Add nearly a pound of uncooked, small grain rice. Place a coffee filter over the top and screw the lid on tightly. Shake well to coat the rice and place the jar on its side. Over the next few days, roll the jar frequently until the rice has taken up the scent of the oil. Cinnamon, apple, cloves, lemongrass, lavender, lilac, orange blossom, honeysuckle, rose, sandalwood, bergamot – the scent choice is yours.

If you budget allows, and you are not a crafter, perhaps you would like a Luxury Travel Pillow

...since those small pillows now provided by only some airlines aren't very comfortable. Inflatable travel pillows are available for less than $20, while slightly more cumbersome stuffed travel pillows are available from several manufacturers. Brookstone, for example, offers the Nap Travel U-Pillow ($25), which is stuffed with thousands of micro beads.

For $75, a u-shaped neck pillow from Tempur-Pedic is made from memory foam that cradles and molds around the user's neck and conducts body heat.

Either way you go, purchasing a new one from your supplier of choice, or making it yourself, neck pillows are always winners, especially if they smell oh, so nice!