I saved this instruction sheet for sewing a zafu many, many years ago, from another website whose name I cannot even recall now, then later reposted it when I was writing DukkhaGirl. Somehow, it persisted in my files from hard drive to hard drive. Being that it doesn’t seem to exist online anymore, I’m feeling free to repost this apparently photocopied image on how to sew a zafu — the round, Zen, meditation cushion.
I used these instructions to make many zafus, some of which I sold on eBay. Back then, my eBay moniker was domesticgoddess and one buyer said, in his review, that I was the “actual goddess of eBay!” So, there you go. I guess my zafus were good.
And, yet, I no longer make them.
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Sewing a Zafu: Table of Contents
Should you make your own zafu?
Why am I no longer making zafuls? Aside from the fact that I’d rather write, read, ride my bike, and do photography vs sewing, it’s quite possible, now (unless you have some sort of source for cheap materials) to buy an inexpensive zafu on Amazon that will probably cost you less than making your own. And it can be a messy experience if you’re using buckwheat hulls as the filling.
However, if you want to know you made your own and want to know where your item and materials originated, you can’t beat doing it yourself. If you have an embroidery machine, you can customize it further by embellishing it with embroidery.
However, I’d caution against getting too fancy and sticking things on your zafu that will ultimately hurt your butt!
About these instructions
As I mentioned previously, this is a simple instruction sheet I used to use years ago for making my own zafu pattern. I no longer make Zafus. I do not plan to do a video on the process or step-by-step photos, but I’ll write out the instructions after the downloadable PDF.
The Instruction Sheet for Sewing a Zafu
Sewing a Zafu: Instructions
Materials for sewing a zafu
- Large paper for pattern-making
I have a large sheet of roll paper that I use if I need to trace something large. - Fabric
I recall buying about one yard and having a bit left over. I always used cotton canvas for my zafus as it’s sturdy and easy to work with. But beware of buying something that will be slippery and have your butt sliding around while you’re trying to sit. - Thread
I generally used either cotton or all-purpose thread. Some sturdy thread. - Sewing machine
- Filling for your zafu
There are a couple of traditional fillings for a zafu: kapok or buckwheat hulls. I like the feel of buckwheat hulls, but if your zafu springs a leak, this can be messy. I’d advise getting some extra, lighter cotton fabric and sewing an inner bag for your hulls, and then stuffing your zafu with this. - An iron. This isn’t in the original instructions, but it helps with the pleats.
- Sewing chalk
- Strong hand-sewing needle
- Pins
If you are a knowledgable sewer, you can also consider installing a zipper in the side seam so you can adjust the filling, but I won’t add instructions for that here. I’d caution you that if you use buckwheat hulls and decide to do this, again, fashion an interior beanbag to hold the hulls in place.
Steps
- On the pieces of paper, cut out two round pieces of cloth about 10.75″ and a long strip about 53.5″ x 8″. I say “about” because if you’re extra tall (or extra small) you can adapt it a bit to fit you better — another good reason to make your own zafu.
- Make 15 even pleats along the long fabric strip. Use your iron to press the pleats and keep them in place, then use your sewing machine on the baste setting to baste them down along the edges of the fabric strip.
- You’re going to have a 1/2″ seam allowance, here. Allow for that. Along your circle pieces mark it evenly to account for where you’re going to attach the 16 pleats (the 15 you made, along with the 16th — the seam, which you’ll later keep open to stuff it).
- Pin the pleats of the long pleated strip to the markings on your round pieces. Remember that you’re sewing this inside out — you should be sewing right sides together as you’ll be turning it right-side-out later. This may not be important if you have a solid color that looks the same on both sides, but it is very important if you have a pattern or a fabric that has a different texture on either side.
I’ll stop here to note that I also started setting aside a small strip of fabric of about 6″ x 8″ or so, sewing the edges together, turning it right side out, and then stitching up the outside on each edge to fashion a small handle and then also pinning this inside the pieces so when it was turned right-side out, you’d have a handle. I thought of this as the “zafu-to-go” but mostly started doing this to cover up my unsightly hand stitching of the outside seam! I note that, now, most zafus that you purchase have such a handle. I feel inventive! - If you want to reinforce it, you can also do a stitch around the edges.
- Turn it right-side-out through the hole that’s left open in the side.
- Stuff it with your stuffing of choice as full as you want it.
- Sew up the hole using the hand-sewing needle
There you go!
Don’t want to make your own? Here are a few that I can recommend!
I have owned the HuggerMugger and Mindful and Modern Zafus. I like the embroidery on the Mindful and Modern ones, but the HuggerMugger one had a bit more filling. The Waterglider ones look promising and are filled with buckwheat hulls, just as I like — and are priced a bit lower.
- Perfect Meditation Pillow – Our meditation floor pillow works well with a meditation mat to create the optimal floor cushion for your meditation practice. Our meditation seat, otherwise known as a Zafu, supports the spine to help focus attention on your practice.
- Floor Cushions – Perfect floor cushions for adults or children. Great for use floor seating around coffee tables or Japanese traditional tables. Floor pillows for zen decor, the Waterglider floor pillow is the perfect low height floor pouf
- Buckwheat Husk Filled Yoga Pillows – Similar to yoga bolsters or yoga blocks, the Waterglider cushion can support your yoga practice with buckwheat hulls. Hulls provide the perfect stiffness and will not
- Made in the USA with USA Grown Buckwheat Husks – We have invested in the tools and machinery to create jobs for former refugees in Washington State. When you purchase a Waterglider product, you are supporting immigration and refugee settlement in the USA.
- Waterglider International satisfaction promise – We promise complete satisfaction with all of our products.
- Classic tuffet shape, provides height under your pelvis for healthy posture
- Organic buckwheat hull filling conforms to your body
- Zipper allows you to adjust filling to meet your unique needs
- Convenient handle for carrying
- Handmade with love in the USA
- PORTABLE FLOOR CUSHION FOR DEEP MEDITATION – Sitting on the floor is not comfortable for everyone. Enjoy this large meditation cushion for specific yoga poses and styles to help you focus on your body and mind while enjoying a deeper meditation! Using this floor cushion for adults will provide restorative energy to your space.
- HEALTHY POSTURE SUPPORT – Designed to place you in a natural seated position, our meditation pillow enables proper posture for more comfortable meditation. It helps you find comfort and calm while meditating or practicing yoga, by relieving aching joints and improving your spinal health. Our round meditation cushions are adjustable and you can easily remove or add filling and find your optimal seat height for your meditation practice.
- NATURAL AND SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS – Our 16” x 4.5” floor bolster is filled with 100% natural buckwheat hulls and then covered with organic cotton. The cover on our yoga seat has a subtle zipper, allowing you to adjust the filling to your desired comfort level. The stylish round shape has extra legroom for deep meditation.
- WASHABLE AND REMOVABLE COTTON COVER – Thanks to the durable zipper on the yoga seating pillow, the cotton cover is easily removable and machine-washable. That allows you to use it in and outdoors. With sturdy handles, you can bring and use it anywhere. Easily move your floor pillows to your yoga class or regular meditation practice in the garden.
- PERFECT GIFT FOR YOGA LOVERS – With a lovely mandala pattern, this meditation floor seat makes a perfect decor piece in everyone’s home and an outstanding gift for both men and women. Our meditation cushions are a great gift for all zafu and yoga lovers and make a beautiful set by combining them with a Zabuton meditation mat.