How A Lavender Pillow Can Help You Sleep Better

I must admit that I’m not a good sleeper. Never have been. Some of you know this already about me, but for those that don’t, I struggle staying asleep at night. Between 2:00 and 3:00 seem to be when I wake up, and when or if I fall back to sleep, it’s usually a few minutes before my alarm goes off at 5:00.

Sigh.

Rarely do I just lay there and ruminate, I usually go on my phone (I know, this is a no-no) and watch YouTube or Discovery+. Sometimes though I brainstorm. Some of my most creative ideas have either happened while I’m awake at night or while I’m in the shower. I have no idea why.

The other night I was awake and wishing more than anything, that there was an organic way to help me sleep. Something that would help my mind relax. I’ve tried meditation, and though it hasn’t helped me yet, I’m not ruling it out.

But then a memory popped into my head that I had long forgotten until now. I think I was around 10 or 11, when my Aunt sent me a lavender pillow that she made by hand. It was to stay on my pillow during the day to permeate the lavender smells into my regular pillow, packing a big punch to helping me sleep better. As my memory serves me, it worked very well.

When I did a little research on the benefits of lavender and why it helps one better sleep, it turns out that it works by calming the central nervous system and promotes slow-wave sleep.

I’ll buy that.

There are so many benefits for lavender. Everything from healing bug bites, helps treat skin blemishes, lessens hot flashes, and, it is known to help improve sleep. Lavender scented essential oils have become very popular and have proven to work, but I wanted to go back in time and make a lavender pillow just like my Aunt made for me years ago.

Here is what you will need to make a lavender pillow:

• 1 one pound bag lavender
• 1/2 yard of muslin fabric
• 1/2 yard of calico fabric – or whatever thinner fabric you prefer
• straight pins
• tape measure
• fabric scissors
• sewing machine
• iron

How To Make A Lavender Pillow

Figure out how big you would like your pillow to be. I made mine 16″ x 12″. If you decide to make a pillow bigger than mine, you will need to order additional lavender than I specified.

Iron all folds and wrinkles out of fabric.

Cut the muslin giving yourself a 2 inch seam allowance all the way around. Pin the muslin pieces together, and sew around the edges, leaving a 4″ opening on one side. Turn fabric right side out, and pour the lavender in the 4″ opening.

Pinch the opening together and sew shut. Set aside.

Measure and cut one piece of the printed fabric. For the other side of the pillow, cut two pieces with enough allowance for an inch overlap in the center. Where the two pieces meet in the center, hem each piece of fabric 1/2 inch.

Place printed pieces together, with the pattern sides facing each other. Sew around the entire perimeter of the pillow.

Turn pillow right side out. Take lavender insert and place inside the pillow cover. Then, squish around the lavender to even it out and you’re good to go.

When the lavender starts to lose a little smell, just squish and pinch to refresh the scent. Easy peasy.

I made my lavender pillow over a week ago, and I have to say that I am sleeping better. The scent does calm me, and therefore, I have had a few full nights of sleep, no waking up. And for that, I am happy.

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