All about pillow toys

Sound, healthy, restful sleep is the key to good health. Many parents know how difficult it is at times to put a child to bed during the day and at night. Using a soft decorative pillow will turn the styling procedure into an interesting game. Such a funny model - "scops" or "hugs" - can be a great addition to the baby's room. Decorative items can cheer up, relieve stress, which is important not only for children, but also for their parents. An unusual pillow toy can become an important part of the interior, it will bring joy regardless of age.

Decorative pillows have been used for interior decoration for a long time, while models in the form of a toy have appeared in everyday life quite recently. These products have become not only decorative, but also a practical thing. They will be able to revive the interior of any room, make it more comfortable, cozy and warmer.

Models differ not only in shape and design, but also in their properties. Some models are used as pillows for good sleep. Most of the products are not suitable for sleeping, but for short-term rest. This can be said about anti-stress models that allow you to relax the body after overload. These options are often used by adults to relax after a hard day at work.

Pillow toys can be divided into certain types.

• Scops models. They are designed for good sleep at night or during the day. They are more suitable for children who have difficulty going to bed.The presence of such a peculiar and cozy toy will help the baby obediently go to the crib and lie on the soft "scops". Most of these models have a square shape, which provides a comfortable position for the baby's head and neck during sleep. The corners in such products are often rounded.

• Travel options. A travel pillow-toy is not only a thing that lifts your spirits, but also a practical and functional item for a good rest during a trip. Such products are usually sewn in the shape of a crescent or a horseshoe. The model is worn around the neck in the form of a collar, thereby reducing the load on the neck.

• Sitting models. The hard seat is uncomfortable. Model toys laid on the seats will help to solve this problem. They can have a variety of shapes, such as an apple or tomato wedge, lemon or orange wedge. More often you can find products with a thickness of about 10-15 cm. Such models are used to give the chairs a greater height.

• Floor variations. Floor-standing models have rigid elements, they can be classified as poufs. There are various options, made in the form of animals, flowers, cars or insects.

• Rollers. These models are used as toys and not for recreation. Decorative rollers will be appropriate in a child's bedroom, as well as in other rooms.

Various materials can be used in the manufacture of pillow toys.

They can be done:

• from fabric;
• from felt;
• from yarn.

Natural dense fabrics are ideal for sewing products. You can use cuts of silk, satin, linen and other cotton materials, as well as corduroy or velor pieces. A soft toy made of fleece will turn out to be very cute.

Toy pillows, crocheted or knitted, will add a cozy feel to your room.

Felt models are popular. It is a very durable eco-friendly material that retains its shape after washing or cleaning. Due to the fact that the material does not require processing of edges, it is often used when sewing decorative items, pillow toys.

Synthetic and natural materials are used as fillers.

1. Natural materials include: cotton wool, wool, bulk materials, herbs, buckwheat husks, etc.
2. Synthetic fillers include: foam rubber, synthetic winterizer or synthetic winterizer, microfiber, expanded polystyrene balls.

Each option has advantages and disadvantages. The advantages of synthetic materials include:

• they can be washed if necessary, after washing such products retain their shape;
• products with synthetic fillers dry quickly enough;
• they do not become bait for various insects.

The disadvantages include the fact that it is a synthetic material, that is, it is a product of recycling. That's why, many people prefer to use raw materials of natural origin as filler.

Fabric covers are highly durable and easy to wash and iron. Regardless of the filler (natural or synthetic), the best is a cover that does not allow filler particles to pass through. The material must "breathe", that is, it must allow air to pass through and absorb moisture when sweat appears. Covers should be soft, because it is not very pleasant to rest on rough fabrics.

The best option for sewing pillows for children is teak; you can also use other materials for this, for example, cambric. Although this material is less expensive, it has lower performance characteristics.

Jacquard covers and products made of satin or percale look very nice. One option is to use linen fabrics.

When making a scops pillow with your own hands, you should make sure that you use high-quality materials that do not cause allergies. The surface of the product is made soft and comfortable so that it does not cause discomfort to the delicate skin of the child. It is better that the shape of the craft is elongated, this will provide a convenient and comfortable position for the neck and head. It is also important to make sure there are no hard seams.

Armed with the right materials, finding the right pattern and picking up free time, you can independently build a pillow-toy of the most diverse shapes and designs. Kids will be happy to spend time on a crib with an interesting toy.

• It can be a model in the form of cartoon characters, animals, insects. A toy in the shape of animals with a wide base-body and soft pleasant upholstery will be an excellent option for a baby cot. A large dog, a long dachshund or a cheerful corgi, made of bright materials, will please the kid and will interest him. An owl, a panda, a cow, a seal and a penguin, as well as a hare, raccoon and hippopotamus will not be left without attention of the child.
• Little princesses will love a pillow in the shape of a butterfly, a flower, or a cloud.
• Boys will be more delighted with sleep models in the form of a robot or a car. It could also be a dinosaur, alpaca, or hamster.
• Cool pillows made using the amigurumi technique or Velcro models are suitable for children and adults.

The craftswoman cannot do without:

• lace;
• tapes;
• bows;
• ribbons;
• buttons.

Using the materials at hand, you can create an original masterpiece from an ordinary-looking product. As a decoration, you can also use applique, embroidery, various images applied by means of photo printing.

When choosing a pillow-toy for children in a crib, one should take into account the age of the child, his physical characteristics, as well as the preferences of the baby.

The type of filler is selected taking into account the needs.

• Orthopedic models will better support the spine and adapt to the head and neck. These pillows last much longer than other options, and they do not need to be fluffed to shape.
• Pillows with down or fiber raw materials have the best hygroscopicity, giving a feeling of comfort.
• Fiber synthetic products are inexpensive but have a short lifespan. Such products require regular shaking. They can be used in rooms with high humidity, they do not require complex maintenance.

A pillow with a removable cover and hidden zippers is ideal for keeping it clean. You should make sure how well small details and decor are sewn. In the event that the product will be used for sleeping, it is better to choose a pillow without excessive decor, otherwise the child may be injured by buttons, sequins or beads.For convenience and safety, decorative elements are made of soft patches.

Choosing a model, rely on the age of the child. There are products designed for babies, models for children under 3 years old, pillows for preschoolers and adolescents.

Such a product can become a bright accent in a room, so it is important to pay attention to a color scheme suitable for the interior. For the children's room where the girl will sleep, it is better to choose models of pink, cream, turquoise or purple. For the boy's bedroom it is better to purchase pillows in blue, gray, green, abstract images are welcome.

An important factor is the size and shape of the product. They are chosen depending on the size of the bed, on the type of accommodation, as well as on the functional purpose.

If such pillows are to be used for playing on the floor, preference should be given to the volumetric options. In this case, a model with an elastic and light filler is more suitable, this will extend the service life of the entertainment attribute.

3-in-1 models are in great demand among many, which can be a wonderful gift for a baby. One of these options may be the 3-in-1 model "Hamster", which transforms from a toy into a comfortable pillow and a delicate pleasant blanket. The model is presented in the form of a perky and cute hamster with a blanket inside. Such a nice gift will warm and remind of the donor, and just please the eye. By purchasing or sewing a toy pillow yourself, you can please your baby and make the product an accent part of the interior.