If you decide to sew a holofiber pillow yourself, you need, first of all, to buy the filling itself. I ordered it through the online store. I purchased colored calico for the cover.
The advantages of sewing pillows yourself at home are obvious - you will know exactly what materials your product is made of, as well as the ability to make a pillow of any size and configuration.
What is holofiber
Hollofiber, like other nonwoven materials, began to be produced in the 30s of the last century in Europe.
In Russia, interest in this filler appeared in the 60s, and over time the material gained popularity in the domestic market. Hollow fiber is made from polyester using a thermal method of gluing fibers. This is a safe method of designing material elements, because no harmful chemicals are involved in the production process. Also, factories producing holofiber use an aerodynamic method for forming fibers. To do this, the raw materials are placed in special equipment (diffuser), where the holofiber elements are subjected to air treatment. As a result, the fibers of the material are located in several directions: vertical, diagonal, chaotic. Thanks to this, holofiber acquires properties such as high thermal insulation, elasticity, and breathability.
This material is sold in three forms:
- Canvas. Used as insulation for blankets and outerwear.
- Plate. For use in the construction industry for insulation of walls, floors, ceilings, roofs.
- Twisted "balls". Most often used to fill pillows.
It is obvious that holofiber has established itself as a reliable, practical, easy-to-use material.
This is what holofiber filler looks like
Peculiarities
Holofiber is one of the fairly new artificial materials. These are spiral-shaped fibers that touch each other, thereby forming empty spaces.
Holofiber is produced from polyester raw materials. Technology – bonding fibers using high temperatures. The result is a strong, resilient material. It has a lot of advantages and is significantly superior to, for example, synthetic winterizer.
In the production of holofiber, formaldehydes and other elements with increased toxicity are not used. This means that the properties of the filler are very similar to analogues of natural origin.
Pillows are stuffed with holofiber in the shape of balls. It does not cake or deform during the entire period of use of the item.
Advantages and disadvantages
Holofiber has a number of positive qualities, but there are also certain disadvantages. Let's look at the characteristics of the filler in more detail.
pros
- breathability;
- hypoallergenic;
- durability;
- wear resistance;
- light weight;
- environmental friendliness;
- ease of care.
In addition, holofiber does not become electrified, does not attract dust, and does not become a haven for parasites. Also, the material does not absorb odors.
Cons of holofiber
They are very relative:
- does not absorb moisture. This is a minus for those who often sweat in their sleep, but a plus when the product needs to be dried after washing;
- price. Holofiber is more expensive than synthetic winterizer, but cheaper than natural fillers.
So, bedding with this filler has much more positive qualities than negative ones. Holofiber really deserves the attention of those who are prone to allergies, care about their health, or simply strive to purchase practical, functional things.
How to make your own holofiber pillow
Pillows made from synthetic fill can come in different sizes. Some are used for sleeping and resting, others are used to support the neck on the road, and others are used to support the abdomen for pregnant women.
To sew a pillow measuring 50x70 cm you will need the following:
- cotton or calico, size 100×150 cm;
- 0.5-1 kg of holofiber, depending on the rigidity of the future product;
- scissors, meter or ruler, needles, pins, threads;
- zipper (it’s better to take a secret small one);
- sewing machine.
Algorithm of actions:
- The calico needs to be decatified (moistened or steamed to avoid deformation after the first wash).
- The fabric is cut to the size of the future pillow and cut so that you get 2 rectangles (with a margin of 2-4 cm for the seam).
- The blanks are folded right sides together and stitched on three sides around the perimeter (you need to baste first so that the seams lie evenly).
- A zipper is sewn in on the fourth side and the product is turned inside out.
- It is stuffed with holofiber and fastened with a zipper.
You might be interested in this A detailed description of the characteristics of furniture velor
You can sew it up, but with a zipper it is convenient to care for the pillow.
DIY pillow
How to choose holofiber
You need to choose the material in accordance with GOST, because fakes can cause allergies. You can order it online or at points of sale of synthetic materials. It is important to first calculate the required amount of material.
If you plan to sew 1 medium-hard pillow measuring 50x70 cm (standard), then you will need 500-600 grams of holofiber. For pillows, the best material is in balls, as it is easier to distribute and does not bunch up like a roll.
The cheapest holofiber is not worth buying, because its quality is lower.
How much holofiber is needed for a pillow?
To understand which holofiber is best for pillows, you need to familiarize yourself with all its types:
- in balls the material is used for ski and winter things, filling toys, pillows and blankets;
Synthetic balls
- less often in rolls, but used for jackets and coats;
- material for construction work (wall insulation) is produced in the form of plates;
- for furniture - dense and more elastic holofiber.
Construction material
Consumers are often interested in how much holofiber 1 kg is. Firstly, due to the cavity, the holofiber can be knocked down or not.
Note! If it is compacted well, then a kilogram occupies approximately 0.028 m³. When pillows are made of medium hardness, then for 1 pc. it takes 2 times less material and, accordingly, its volume is less.
Volume
Pillows with holofiber for pregnant women
Holofiber is a common filling for pregnant pillows. The elasticity, hygiene, and environmental friendliness of a product with such a filler are very important for expectant mothers. A pregnancy pillow should keep its shape, so you should give preference to medium-hard or hard models.
Maternity pillows are very comfortable not only when expecting a baby, but also when breastfeeding. Holofiber filler is acceptable for both mother and child due to its safety and functionality.{banner_serefs}
Tips for choosing
The quality of sleep, brain and back health depend on the pillow. General recommendations to help you decide on a purchase:
- Ask the seller for a quality certificate. The product must comply with Russian Federation standards. This will help you choose a good thing and not a fake with a cheaper filler.
- Find out the product size and weight. The amount of filling for holofiber pillows affects the elasticity and height of the pillow. These parameters correspond to a comfortable position of the neck and head so that the blood vessels are not pinched. Pillow height = shoulder length. On average, for adults it is 10-14 cm. Broad-shouldered athletes may need 16 cm.
- There are different shapes of pillows, in addition to square and rectangle: circle, triangle, heart. But such options are recommended only for decorating a room.
- The density of the pillow depends on your usual sleeping position. Back sleepers need a medium-firm product. In a lateral position you will need firm support. If a person is used to sleeping on his stomach, it is worth buying a soft pillow for comfort.
A cover made from natural fabric is recommended. The sensations will be more pleasant, there will be no static electricity outside. It is desirable that the bedstead be removable. Then it can be washed separately from the pillow; there is no need to rip it out.
When choosing a pillow filled with holofiber for decoration, you should take a product with added foam crumbs. It is denser, better and will retain its original shape longer.
It is worth reading reviews about a specific manufacturer before purchasing. A high price may hide a low-quality product, but a little-known company may produce good products.
Children's pillows made of holofiber
It makes sense to purchase a pillow for a child at the age of approximately 1-1.5 years, when the spine begins to take its natural curves. A product for children should be rectangular, medium hard, and low. The height of the pillow for a 1-2 year old child should not be more than 4 cm, and at 3 years old it is worth increasing the height to 6 cm. With age, the product will need to be changed or the pillowcase should be ripped apart, adding more “innards”.
Hollow fiber is a good filling option for a baby pillow, because it is safe, does not cause allergies, and “breathes.” However, this material may cause sweating. Selecting a pillow for a specific child should be done by trial and error, taking into account the individual characteristics of the baby.
How to distinguish holofiber from a fake
It is advisable to purchase a pillow with holofiber in serious stores that have certificates for the product offered. But there it is expensive, and in the market they can deceive you and slip you a cheaper filler. How to distinguish holofiber from a fake?
Orthopedic
As a rule, on the market, sellers may, unknowingly or deliberately, sell a synthetic padding pad instead of a holofiber one, which costs much less. How not to buy a fake? How can you differentiate between these materials? Is it possible to distinguish holofiber from a similar padding polyester by touch?
We recommend that you read the article on how to sew a pillow yourself.
The difference between them can be determined by palpating and light stretching:
Holofiber | Sintepon | |
Behavior when “stretching” material with hands. | Easily separates when stretched. | There is a feeling that it is torn. |
Appearance of the product. | Uneven, slightly wavy. | Even, smooth. |
Feeling the material under your fingers. | Loose, slightly slips. | Soft and dense. |
Holofiber pillow weight
The weight of the product directly depends on its size. The weight of a holofiber pillow can be as follows:
- 40x60 cm (children’s) – about 400 g;
- 50x70 cm (rectangular) – 600 g;
- 60x60 cm (square) – 600-700 g;
- 70x70 cm (square) – 1000 g.
These are the standard sizes and weights of pillows filled with holofiber. If you make the pillow taller by adding more inner material, the weight of the product will increase slightly.
Description
This material is made in the form of a sheet, sheet, or balls. What is holofiber in pillows: for home textiles, the material is used in the form of balls.
To obtain a ball, many fibers are twisted into spirals. Polyester threads are thermally bonded to produce holofiber. The material is more wear-resistant and stronger than synthetic padding.
Important: formaldehyde and other harmful substances are not used in production. Textiles are considered environmentally friendly, similar to natural raw materials.
The balls retain the shape of the product, airiness, and softness. They do not roll down or turn into lumps during normal use. It is important not to machine wash such a product.
Product sizes
Standard sizes are used. 70x70 cm has always been common. Bed sets are mainly made for this size. Now the parameters of pillows 50x70 are becoming popular. For adults, this rectangular option is more useful. Bed linen is now being sewn for them more often.
Holofiber is used as a filler and for small decorative pillows. Their parameters are 40x40, 50x50.
How much does a 50x70 pillow weigh with this filling:
- average 800 g;
- light 500-600 g;
- dense 1 kg.
A product with parameters 70x70 of medium density will weigh a kilogram.
Advice: if you fill a pillow yourself, select the density and size to suit you. It's not difficult to do it with your own hands.
Care instructions
Polyester fiber bedding should be washed periodically. Both hand and machine wash are suitable for this. After washing, the product is dried in a well-ventilated area. If the cover has a zipper, you can remove the filling and dry it separately. After this, the fibers can be combed out with a brush, put them back into the pillowcase, fasten the zipper and lightly shake the product.
Differences
Unlike bamboo and other natural varieties, holofiber does not change its strength and elasticity characteristics after washing in an automatic machine, although this procedure must be carried out according to the instructions.
If you ask the owner of both copies how a bamboo pillow differs from a holofiber one, a fair answer will be given - the first option does not have high durability compared to its competitor. During use, it wrinkles and loses its original shape.
Washing holofiber pillows
The products can be washed in a machine on the delicate cycle at low speed. When washing by hand, there are several stages:
- collect water in a large container or bathtub. The temperature should be no more than 30°C;
- pour or pour a slightly alkaline detergent into the water;
- keep the pillow in water for half an hour;
- During washing, it is necessary to perform pressing movements, turning the product over several times;
- rinse well, changing the water 3-4 times;
- squeeze lightly and place the pillow in a ventilated area. The product itself must be in a horizontal position on a ventilated plane;
- From time to time the pillow needs to be turned over and lightly fluffed.
After the product is dry, you need to shake it and put on a clean pillowcase.
To prevent the pillow from losing its shape ahead of time, it is necessary to alternate machine and hand washing or give preference only to the latter.
How is it different from downy
Down filling for pillows is hygroscopic, conducts air and heat well, and a product stuffed with it does not deform over time.
However, it is contraindicated for people suffering from allergies. One of the reasons is that down filling becomes an ideal environment for the reproduction and life of various microorganisms that are harmful to health.
In addition, a down pillow cannot be washed. Twice a year it is permissible to carry out special cleansing. Another important measure is to periodically ventilate the equipment outdoors and dry it in the sun.
A pillow with down will serve its owner from 5 to 7 years. It is not too expensive - 500-3000 rubles.
Holofiber is also hygroscopic and conducts air. Its main difference is its complete hypoallergenicity. The pillow has increased thermoregulatory properties, remains durable and more elastic than its down counterpart.
The disadvantage is the hardness, which is not appreciated by lovers of down pillows.
The pillow can be washed by setting the water temperature to 40 degrees.
It will serve the buyer for 3-5 years, costs from 200 to 600 rubles.
Characteristics and properties of the filler
Holofiber is a new generation filler that differs
- volume and air structure;
- lack of ability to accumulate static electricity;
- rapid restoration of shape after prolonged deformation;
- lack of perception of foreign odors;
- ease of care;
- noise insulation characteristics.
The material is characterized by such properties as
- softness;
- elasticity;
- ease;
- breathability;
- hypoallergenic;
- thermal insulation.