Thanks again to Fairfield World for sponsoring content on CTD. Please visit their site for more product information and free projects!
As I was preparing my post about Poly Pellets and Micro Beads for Fairfield World, I got inspired to get out my machine and make a few things. I had a pair of my daughter’s old leggings and knew that the knit fabric would be great to recycle – so I created a travel neck pillow AND a stress/sleeping mask with them!

Make travel neck pillow and a sleep/stress mask from recycled girl’s leggings!
Since you start out with a pre-sewn object, it only takes a few snips and stitches to create. And her leggings were black- but imagine how fun they would be with prints, or if you bleached or overdyed the leggings first? You could get really creative!
I made you this video- and more photos/instructions follow.
C

Using old jeggings- smart and thrifty!
Cut the waistband out, and trim the jeggings to just below the knee portion.
Use a narrow stitch or a knit stitch (I used #14 in the photo above.) You don’t want the micro-beads popping out!
Turn inside out and sew the leg openings CLOSED. Then stitch 1/2 of the waist opening closed, leaving 4 inches or sew for turning.
Turn right-sides OUT, then fill with Poly-Fil Micro Beads. I like these because of the soft and squishy texture it gives!
Pin and stitch the opening closed, preferably by machine. I used a contrasting thread so you could see….and YUP, those are Frankenstein stitches!! but you won’t see them, so it’s OK. You would (of course) use thread to match your project.
Lastly, take the 2 “corners” of the waistband area and bring them to meet in the middle. Stitch them together by hand. This will give the back of the pillow some shape AND create and area to attach a ribbon loop for hanging on your suitcase or backpack.

Travel Neck Pillow BEFORE tacking the back.

Travel Neck Pillow AFTER tacking the back.
The mask is so easy it doesn’t even need photos!
- Using the remaining “leg” of the jegging, trim to resemble a rectangle.
- Trim out a notch on one long side to create a space for the nose.
- Turn inside out, and sew along 1 short and 2 long edges to create a tube.
- Turn right side OUT, and fill 1/2 with Poly Pellets. The weight is wonderful and calming.
- Topstitch on the bridge of the nose to create a baffle, keeping the pellets on one side.
- Finish filling and handsew the opened edge closed. Add ribbons or elastic by hand, if desired.

Again, I used contrast thread so you could see it. But you would probably use matching thread.

You can toss the mask into the freezer to chill it to use when you have a headache. The weight and cool feel SOOOOO good!
I hope you’ve enjoyed this tutorial and you feel compelled to recycle and upcycle- and wouldn’t these be thoughtful gifts for Mother’s Day or Father’s Day? Who *couldn’t* use a bit of pampering?
Thanks again to Fairfield World for sponsoring content on CTD. Please visit their site for more product information and free projects!
Handy affiliate shopping links:
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