DIY eye pillow with crystal pocket

I use an eye pillow a lot during yoga – for yin and restorative poses, for yoga nidra, and always during savasana.  I also use an eye pillow when I am lying down for a meditation or breathwork practice. An eye pillow not only blocks out the light, it also applies pressure to the eyes and forehead – both of which initiate a relaxation response (read more about this in my post here).

Adding in crystals

In addition to regularly using my eye pillow during yoga and meditation, I also like to work with crystals during my practices.  I frequently will place a crystal on my third eye (located on your forehead right between your brows), and then lay the eye pillow on top of it.  

The problem is that when using this technique for a long meditation, yoga nidra or savasana, I will frequently forget I have a crystal on my forehead.  When I roll over at the end of the practice before sitting up, the eye pillow slides off, and then the crystal tumbles to the ground.  

I have tried tucking my crystal into my eye pillow.  Again, I forget it is there and it falls out later – usually while I am standing and holding it – I have broken a few crystals this way.  

Eye pillow pieces all cut out.

Finally, I decided there was a better way.  I planned to make an eye pillow with a pocket added to the cover.  This would allow me to securely practice with a crystal and not have to worry about it falling.  

Beyond crystals

The pocket in this eye pillow is also a great way to work with essential oils. I like to add a few drops of essential oil to a cotton ball and keep that with my eye pillow to allow it to gently add scent.  With the pocket on the cover of the eye pillow, I can add that essential oil cotton ball right to the eye pillow. Since the cover is washable, I can switch out the scent anytime I choose.

 Insert – pinned on the left, sewn on the right.

Filling your pillow

There are lots of different materials that can be used for stuffing.  I prefer to use 100% flax seeds for eye pillows. They seem to last forever – my current eye pillows I made almost a decade ago.  Flax seeds are small so they provide a uniform texture when the pillow is on your face. And the flax seeds retain heat and cold well – you can microwave or freeze the insert to provide a warm or cool sensation when using the eye pillow.

You will want to make sure you are using whole flax seeds, and not ground flax seed meal.  If you are unsure if you want to use flax seeds, this is a great resource to look at other options.

Eye pillow insert stuffed, pinned on left and sewn shut on right.

A note on jersey

If you have not worked with jersey before, it is important to note that it will not fray and so it is safe to leave raw edges where you would not be able to with other fabrics.  I wanted to add the crystal pocket with the least amount of bulk possible and so I decided not to turn under the seams on my jersey when adding the pocket.  

If you do not like the look of a raw jersey edge, feel free to turn the edges under before sewing the pocket on.  You may also want to sew under the open edge on the eye pillow cover – I have left it raw and allowed it to roll inward naturally.

Crystal pocket pinned on left, sewn on right.

If you have a serger, feel free to use that to sew the seams on the cover.  You can also use a zig-zag stitch if desired (to add extra stretch). This is personal choice though, I went with a straight stitch as the cover will not be stretching much, and I don’t like the uneven edge a zig-zag can give in a super soft jersey.

Gathering your materials

The fabric I used for this project was from my stash.  (I have a lot of fabric waiting to be used in projects!)  If you do not have appropriate fabrics in your stash, I encourage you to think creatively before purchasing new fabric.  This project uses very little of each fabric, so it would be a great opportunity to upcycle items destined for the garbage or charity.

An old pillowcase would be perfect to use for the insert.  And if you have a worn out t-shirt – maybe the neck is stretched out, or it has a stain you can’t remove – that would be a great way to reclaim fabric for the cover.

Ready to make your own eye pillow?

Eye pillow cover pinned on left, sewn on right.

Materials

• 100% cotton quilting fabric – 2 pieces 10” x 5”
• Jersey (t-shirt) fabric – 2 pieces 10” x 5” and 2 pieces 3” x 2.5” – you want to use the softest fabric you can find
• Sewing machine (you can do this by hand, but you will need to get your stitches very close on the eye pillow insert to prevent your filling from leaking out.
• 1¼ cups of flax seed for filling

Steps

First sew your insert.  With the right sides of your cotton quilting fabric facing, sew around both long edges and one short edge using a short straight stitch.  Turn right side out, add the flax seed. Turn the open edge under ½” to enclose the raw edge. Sew again using a short straight stitch. Set to the side.

Eye pillow pocket placement diagram.

Next you will work on your cover.  Add the pocket to one side first before assembling the cover.  Lay one side of the jersey right side up, then layer the pocket pieces on top following the measurements in the diagram.  Pin and sew around all four outer edges of the pocket stack with a ⅛” seam allowance and a very long stitch.  Pull the thread ends to the back, tie them off and trim.

Place the two cover fabrics (one with the pocket on it) right sides together.  Pin the two pieces together and sew around both long edges and one short edge, leaving one short edge open – this will remain open so you will want to choose the end which is most appealing to you.  Use a ⅜” seam allowance. If you are allowing your open end to naturally roll inward, you want to stop your seams about ½” from edge of the fabric.

Again, tie and trim your thread ends and you are all done!  

A note on inserting the eye pillow into the cover

Starting to insert the eye pillow into the cover.

The fabric of the eye pillow insert may cling to the jersey you use for the cover.  In order to easily insert the eye pillow into the cover I suggest the following technique:

• Turn the cover inside out, place your thumbs inside the cover tucked into the bottom corners and your fingers outside the cover.
• Slide the eye pillow insert into the bottom of the cover, and slowly slide the cover up over the eye pillow, turning right side out as you go.
• Once you have the cover fully turned right side out, encourage the open end to roll inward, and gently shake the pillow to evenly distribute the flax seed.

A note on using the pocket

The pocket is two layers, when putting a crystal in the pocket, make sure you put it under not only the first layer, but also the second.  This will help ensure it is securely tucked into your eye pillow.

Wishing you plenty of relaxation with your new eye pillow!