How to Make a DIY Pillow Stuff Sack || REI

Tired of drooling on your balled-up jacket but don’t want to carry the added weight of a pillow? Don’t like that your pile of clothes moves around on you at night? Miranda shows you how to make a pillow stuff sack to keep your pack organized, your sleep set-up comfortable, and your clothing clean(ish).
 
DIY not your thing? Shop pillows here: https://www.rei.com/c/camping-pillows?ir=category%3Asleeping-bags-and-accessories&r=category%3Asleeping-bags-and-accessories%7Ccamping-pillows
 
Tag REI (@rei) and Miranda (@mirandagoesoutside) if you try this DIY. We’d love to see the finished product!
 
0:47 MATERIALS:
- 1/2 yard of Ripstop or Sport Nylon (45” – 60” width)
- 1/2 yard of Flannel or Microfleece (45” – 60” width)
- Matching Thread
- Toggle (shop toggles: https://www.rei.com/product/84....8877/gear-aid-ellips
- Paracord or Utility Cord (shop utility cord: https://www.rei.com/product/79....9630/pmi-3mm-utility
- Measuring Tape or Ruler
- Sharp Scissors
- Pins
- Sewing Machine or Needle
 
DIRECTIONS: for 12”x8”x4” pillow*
 1:43 Cut two (2) pieces of nylon fabric and one (1) piece of flannel to a 14” x 18” rectangle
1:58 Pin fabric with right sides of nylon facing out, and flannel sandwiched between. Pin two long edges and one short edge. Be careful to pin close to the edge, so as to not create unnecessary holes in the material.
2:37 Mark 1.5” down from one top corner by open side — this is where you will start stitching.
3: 27 Using a straight stitch and 1/2” seam allowance, sew the three pinned sides.
3:39 Trim seam allowance to 1/4”, leaving full seam allowance on 1.5” unsewn section.
4:28 Turn pillow flannel-side out.
4:48 Press on low heat.
4:53 Stitch around 3 edges again with a 3/8” or 1/2” seam allowance, being careful not to sew over the 1.5” gap on one side. This is your first French seam! Raw edges should be captured within the second set of stitches. If you have some pieces of thread or fabric sticking out, you can careful trim that away.
5:12 Turn pillow right side out again, being careful to turn between the two pieces of nylon.
5:29 Pin the corners to create the boxed corners**. These will give the stuff sack some height.
6:39 Mark stitch line 2” from the points at the bottom of the stuff sack. Sew along this line to create the boxed corners**.
7:23 Trim seam allowance on corners to 1/4”. Turn pillow flannel-side out again, being careful not to flip flannel to the wrong (nylon only) side of the stuff sack. Stitch again at box corners, 3/8” to 1/2” from the seam, capturing raw edges on the inside. Nice work on the French seams!
7:58 Almost done — just need to finish the top edge and create channel for paracord. Press top raw edges 1/4” (or roll and press), then fold entire edge over 1”. This will create the finished channel for the paracord. Be sure to roll or fold seam allowance from the 1.5” open edge inward before pressing. Staying as close to folded edge as possible, stitch all the way around the stuff sack opening. Turn stuff sack right side (nylon side) out.
8:56 Cut paracord to at least 30” long and feed through the channel at the top of the stuff sack. Feed ends of cord through the toggle. Leaving opening flat and uncinched, move toggle close to the stuff sack and then tie and overhand knot. This will ensure that, when fully opened, there is not a lot of excess cord hanging from the stuff sack. Trim ends of cord close to knot, burn, and press towards overhand knot to secure.

Nice work! You’re done! Enjoy drooling on your designated pillow next time you go backpacking!
 
*These directions will make a 12”x8”x4” pillow. To adjust the length or width of the pillow, add or subtract from the initial cut material. To change the height, adjust the measurement for the boxed corners. Keep in mind that the height of the pillow is determined by how long the stitch line is.

**If you’ve never sewn boxed corners before, take a look online at a few tutorials. Alternatively, you can leave this step out completely, but your stuff sack will be more like a traditional pillowcase and you may have some empty space in the corners when it’s full.