A Handmade Aromatherapy Pillow for Father’s Day

Father's Day is just round the corner (June 19, Sunday)

And, like ever year, this year, too, Pari made something special for her Papa. And, this special gift – an aromatherapy pillow – was intended to calm, soothe and relax her papa whose boss, she thinks, "makes him work very hard"! But, this is not all she wants to present to him as she's not content with giving him just one gift. She wants to give him couple of more surprises.

Talking about surprises… 

This aromatherapy pillow was meant to be given on June 19 but the plans went kaput as the daddy came home early that day while she was still in the process of making (in the living room). But, before he had time to make head and tail of her gift under construction, she ran to another room and carried on there. Though, he could smell (and literally) something – well, not fishy, but sweet and invigorating!

She was pretty close to completing the pillow. So, when he came back after getting refreshed, she gave it it to him rather than waiting till June 19.

Here are step-by-step pictures of how she made it:

First, she filled a box with enough rice to fill the cotton bag that she was going to make. 

But, even before this, she went through a pile of fabric scraps that I had collected over time – left-overs from my sewed dresses, and from a friendly neighbourhood tailor shop (that tailor knows I love collecting fabric scraps and saves those for me!). So, she chose a rectangular bright blue and white tie and dye cotton fabric. I think this was perfect. Being cotton, it was soft and non-allergic and the blue was so soothing. 

From Jasmine, Rose and Sandal Wood powder that we bought from our recent visit to Mysore; to Patchouli essential oil; to natural Rose Water – she added little bit of all these to the rice.

She also dabbed some cotton with Attar (natural perfume obtained from flowers) and added it to the rice tray.

Then, she gave the rice a nice mix and while doing so enjoyed herself thoroughly taking in all the aroma…!

Now was the time to sew the fabric from three sides and I thought this was a perfect opportunity to introduce some sewing to a 5-year old. As expected, she was all excited about it. I showed her a few times and she was hooked.

And, in a few minutes, we had the pillow/pouch ready!

She was elated how she had just converted a fabric into a pouch but was also sad that the sewing got over too soon. She would have wanted to go on sewing longer. Hmm…never mind, I have many more sewing projects in mind for her… (winks)

And here is when the Papa made an entry!  When he went inside the room to freshen up, she filled the rice in the pouch and stitched the top end.

And voila, her aromatherapy pillow was ready. It was the most colourful and sweetest smelling aromatherapy pouch I had ever seen! 

She decided to present him the gift then and there because the eagerness of showing him her handmade creation was a bit too much to contain!

I could see him all misty-eyed with her gift, gesture and affection.

And, she was feeling proud that her pillow was so soothing, it put him to sleep in her lap in a jiffy!

My little Pari, we love you for all the loving effort and enthusiasm you put into making the Mother's day gift for me and now this one for your Papa. We will treasure it for ever… (smiles).

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Tagged as: aromatherapy pillow, father's day 2011 crafts for kids, father's day handmade gift, handmade gifts by kids, ideas to use essential oils, make gorgeous gifts from fabric scraps