How to Sew a Recovery Pillow - Free Pattern and Instruction Downloads Included!

By Jessica LuckertFeb 26, 2026

How to sew a Recovery Pillow!

Hi I’m Vanessa and I love sewing! You may recognize me from E&M pattern releases and reels. I have been sewing clothes for over 7 years. I sew for my family and friends. I also enjoy making a me-made-wardrobe and thrifting what I can’t sew.

Sewing has helped me keep costs down as my kids have grown. Plus, it has also kept me clothed as my body changes from fighting an autoimmune disease. My favorite part of sewing is being comfortable in my clothes and body.

Recovery Pillow Purpose

I started the new year off with an intense burning on my right side. A couple months later, I was 15 pounds lighter, and in the hospital getting my gallbladder removed. I had a small mustard yellow pillow tucked away in my bag.

A friend suggested I sew up a little pillow to carry around to protect the incisions. I thought it was an odd suggestion; until I saw them on Amazon! The ones there had a pocket to hold ice packs to prevent ice burns. I had been told by my doctor to hold a pillow tightly to my stomach if I had to cough or the dreaded sneeze. I always grabbed whatever pillow I had around during previous surgeries. So, I decided to quickly sew one up the day before I went in, not knowing if I would actually need it.

This little pillow became my best friend for the two weeks. I’m a little embarrassed of all the places it went with me. Not only did I hold this pillow tight during hiccups, but it helped with getting in and out of bed.

Sometimes, I needed a little pillow behind my head, and it saved me from calling out for help getting comfortable. The insulating batting helped ice stay cold longer. It protected my stomach from accidental bumping.

By the end, I was tucking it into my high waisted leggings with an ice pack slid in the pocket, and going about my day. My husband got concerned about how swollen my stomach was until I showed him it was just my trusty pillow. By two weeks, I was cleared from all restrictions and I stopped carrying my now lumpy but loved pillow.

I have now made a few for neighbors for various abnormal surgeries and for others to give away as a gift set with ice packs. Having surgery is difficult, anything that helps make it easier is a blessing.

How to Make it Yourself

I made a video for Ellie and Mac's YouTube Channel to show how to sew this up and it was well loved. So well loved, that Lindsey decided to make it so that everyone can easily make these pillows!

Below you'll find this free pattern download along with a brief instruction file.