Make them warm, cool, or just lay back and relax with these DIY Linen Lavender Eye Pillows. Close your eyes and breathe in the calming scent of lavender.
I received an interesting and timely email from a reader the other day. She had found my site looking for ideas for handmade gifts she could give loved ones who were in mourning and facing hard times. She had found an abundance of those around her in need of support and caring friends.
I was touched, and thought, surely - nothing says "I love you and am thinking about you" more than a handmade gift from the heart. I appreciated her email, and began to brainstorm for thoughtful ideas that would help us all know what we could give to others going through hard times.
As it would happen, a dear friend and sweet young mother in my area recently received some crushing news that would impact her entire world.
Heartbroken, and feeling helpless to ease her pain, I remembered this email and determined to find something to make for her and her family.
I decided to find a way to combine 2 of the natural elements of this world, that I love and find myself completely obsessed over . . .
Pure Linen and Lavender.
I still had a plentiful lavender bud harvest in storage waiting for the perfect project to go with it.
Then I remembered how my daughter adored the silk lavender pillow I had bought her from the Target Dollar Spot for Valentines Day. I loved that pillow too. In fact, I've even been known to sneak it from her on occasion for my own relaxing purposes.
I opted to make some linen lavender pillows with a purposeful frayed edge. I think it adds to the organic beauty of the elements. However, you could easily contain the edges by sewing them on the inside.
How to Use Linen Lavender Eye Pillows
Lavender pillows are really quite divine. If you haven't experienced the benefits, here are the ways you can use them.
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COOL IN THE FREEZER
- Great to relieve eye tension, headaches, fever, and to help reduce swelling from puffy eyes (due to lack of sleep or as a result of tear filled eyes).
- Place in freezer for about 20 minutes before use, or keep in freezer between each use.
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WARM IN THE MICROWAVE OR WITH AN IRON
- Great to also relieve headaches and for relaxation. The warming will strengthen the lavender scent for wonderful therapeutic aromatherapy.
- Warm in microwave in 15-second increments. I would warn you to not let it get too hot. I prefer 15 seconds on one side and then flip and do 15 seconds on the other side. Be cautious of getting your eyes too warm, or burning the fabric in the microwave.
- The flax seed inside these pillows are great for holding onto heat for an extended period.
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ANY TIME USE
- These eye pillows can be enjoyable just as they are, without warming or cooling. Place them over your eyes anytime and breathe in to relax. The gentle weight of an eye pillow on the forehead is perfect for meditation, easing eye strain, stress relief and insomnia.
- Though made in the perfect shape to lay over the eyes, you could make them any size and use as potpourri inside drawers and closets to freshen up linens, or even to throw in the dryer with your laundry.
Where to Buy Pure Linen and Lavender
*Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links
If you don't have a lavender harvest for this project, I have found a couple of places you can purchase lavender buds for these types of projects.
I've sourced pure linen from a number of suppliers on Etsy and in local fabric stores. You could also use cotton or any other fabric for these pillows, but in my opinion, there is no better fabric in the world than 100% pure linen. High quality, soft washed linen is pure luxury.
I'm so obsessed, I even have a line of linen products at my TIDBITS & Company shop.
How to Make Linen Lavender Eye Pillows
First, gather your supplies. You will need the following for 1 lavender pillow:
- 1/4 Yard of Pure Linen (you will have extra)
- 1 1/4 cup flaxseed
- 3/4 cup lavender buds
- Lavender essential oil (optional, but a few drops really improves the lavender fragrance!). I love getting essential oils from Mountain Rose Herbs.
Make sure your linen is washed and dried before you begin.
For each pillow, cut 2 layers of fabric measuring 4.5 inches x 10.5 inches.
For the frayed edge look, you'll want right sides facing out - though pure linen should be the same on both sides ;)
Begin by sewing along side a long edge, making your way all around, with a 1/4 inch seam allowance. Be sure you leave one short edge open to fill the pillow.
At this point, I like to pull threads to fray the edges even more. I do this on the 3 edges I sewed.
Now, you'll mix the lavender buds, flax seed and a few drops of lavender essential oil in a bowl.
Fill the pillow bag until it is mostly full. The measurements above should give you the perfect amount.
Finally, sew the open edge closed containing the insides, and fray that last edge.
Tips for Making Eye Pillows
- Use a tight stitch length, if you plan to fray. A long stitch length may result in the seams opening. Use a double reinforced stitched if you feel these may be handled vigorously (like bean bag tossing ;)
- A lightweight fabric will help the smell diffuse better, which is why I like a medium weight linen.
- The amounts of lavender and flax seed can be played with. If you desire more buds, go ahead and increase that amount. If you want more flax, have at it.
- Loosing smell? Try crushing the bag in your hands and help more lavender scent to release.
Now, go kick back and enjoy your linen lavender eye pillow. It is oh, so relaxing! Have fun making as many as you need for comfort and relaxation for anyone in need (including yourself!).
I hope you enjoyed this post!
Please let me know in the comments what kinds of things you enjoy making or gifting for those who are going through hard times.
