DIY Dakimakura Covers: Create Your Own Custom Body Pillow

From among modern trends, it is impossible not to mention dakimakura – large body pillows that can be depicted according to one’s desire, now bear the barrier of popularity of manga and video games. These are special type of pillow’s that are actually employed for some distinct purpose and yet are transforming into lovely accessories coveted by the aficionados. Of course there are many commercial Dakimakura covers which have been printed with a cool character that will give your body a nice touch; but it is more rewarding to create a Dakimakura cover yourself as what you get will be unique and cannot be bought in stores. As such, in this topical and thorough guide, we are going to help tourists take an all-inclusive guide on how to make dakimakura covers on one’s own.

Table of Contents

1. Understanding Dakimakura

• 1 What is a Dakimakura?
• 2 The Cultural Significance of Dakimakura

2. Materials Needed

• 1 Choosing the Right Fabric
• 2 Tools for Creation

3. Designing Your Dakimakura Cover

• 1 Concept Development
• 2 Software and Tools for Design

4. Printing Your Design

• 1 Print Options
• 2 Choosing a Printing Service

5. Sewing the Cover

• 1 Basic Sewing Techniques
• 2 Step-by-Step Sewing Instructions

6. Finishing Touches

• 1 Adding Zippers or Buttons
• 2 Care and Maintenance Tips

7. Conclusion

1. Understanding Dakimakura

1.1 What is a Dakimakura?

A dakimakura or ‘’hugging pillow’’ or ‘’body pillow’’ is lengths that measures around 150 cm (59’) in length and 50 cm (20’) in width. Actually, the term “dakimakura” is translated with “hugging pillow” because pillows were originally designated for providing warmth and consolation. Originally, these pillows have depictions of characters from anime/manga or some kind of video game so, fans can relate to them.

1.2 The Cultural Significance

Dakimakura are rather an important item in the otaku subculture in which enthusiasts display their admiration and preference to specific characters from Anime and Manga. These pillows are not only a source of good body support but also good support emotionally. Fans have transitioned from having very basic designs to having better more intricate prints with detailed artwork and are now a staple part of fan culture.

2. Materials Needed

Choosing suitable fabric to sew your dakimakura cover should be given a lot of consideration in order to get a nice looking and comfortable product.

2.1 Choosing the Right Fabric

The fabric is a very important aspect when considering your dakimakura cover project. Here are some popular fabric options:

• Mikrofaser (Microfiber): Com nửa, mềm, bền và dễ dàng vệ sinh, dù là các sản phẩm rau vison, microfiber cũng được sử dụng cho các poster rộng rãi. It has a rich feel to it and is very wash able.
• Cotton: Cotton has many benefits, and this fabric is one of the most popular ones because of it is comfortable and very permeable. For a softer finish feel free to check high-thread-count cotton.
• Satin: This fabric delivers a shiny look which is uniquely outstanding and categorically easy to touch. Satin dakimakura covers look very fancy and very comfortable but most of them need extra attention.
• Polyester: Durable, cheap and very flexible, polyester may be printed on and is available in a number of weaves.

2.2 Tools for Creation

Here’s a list of essential tools and materials you will need:

• Sewing Machine: A sewing machine will make the process faster and more efficient.
• Fabric Scissors: Sharp scissors are necessary for cutting fabric accurately.
• Measuring Tape: To ensure the right dimensions for your cover.
• Pins: To hold fabric pieces together while sewing.
• Thread: Choose a thread color that matches your fabric.
• Iron: For pressing fabric and seams for a polished look.

3. Designing Your Dakimakura Cover

Choosing the art to be printed on your dakimakura cover is particularly fun. This is where you create the most!

3.1 Concept Development

To come up with good ideas you need to begin with a brainstorming session on what you wish to design. Here are some tips to help you get started:

• Choose a Character or Theme: Choose whether you consider having a popular character or creating an entirely new character or if you have a preference for a concept (e.g. fairy tale, animals, concrete art).
• Consider Color Schemes: Considering page colors which should also be reflected in the design. It is also interesting that complementary colors may be useful in enhancing design appeal.
• Sketch Your Ideas: Don’t just make detailed diagrams, make rough sketches of your ideas. This one will give you the appearance of the final design and you could try to make the changes you need.

3.2 Software and Tools for Design

After you have your idea, its high time for you to draw out your design in a digital platform. Here are some software options:

• Adobe Photoshop: An essential application for developing precise designs with additional aspects such as the layers, brushes and effects among others.
• GIMP: A photo editor tool available free of charge that affords most of the functions of Photoshop for digital art.
• Illustrator: I have also found Illustrator to be good for vector designs, since the illustrations can be scalable.
• Procreate: If you’re more of a tablet sketcher, you might enjoy this one called Procreate, which allows for very detailed work.

4. Printing Your Design

Following designing, you need to transfer your design to fabric of your choice and print it.

4.1 Print Options

There are several methods for printing your design onto fabric:

• Direct-to-Garment (DTG) Printing: This method involves putting the printing design on the fabric surface which achieves great results of bright color resolution.
• Sublimation Printing: Ths technique involves the application of heat in order to enable color on the fabrics to be bright, and durable. But for polyester or polyester blended material it becomes mandatory.
• Iron-On Transfers: If you want to do it yourself then you can use the iron on transfer paper for creating your designs. Ink your design on the paper and then rub the picture on the fabric by use of an iron.

4.2 Choosing a Printing Service

If you are not set up to print at home then consider using a print solutions company as your local printer. If possible try to find company that deals in fabric printing and in a given option that they provide, they should offer various types of fabric. Always look at the customer reviews of the t-shirts and wherever possible, ask for samples to check the quality.

5. Sewing the Cover

So, if you are a dakimakura owner and posses your fabric and printed design, let me guide you how you should sew it.

5.1 Basic Sewing Techniques

Familiarize yourself with basic sewing techniques, including:

• Straight Stitching: The basic part of most sewing endeavors.
• Backstitching: Applied at start and finish of seams, on inside or outside curves, or on object or substrate edges.
• Serging: Sealing off hems to reduce raveling which is crucial where the fabric used is cotton.

5.2 Technical Instructions for Sewing

• Prepare Your Fabric: Wash your fabric to reduce as much as possible on wrinkles and small of the cloth.
• Cut the Fabric: Bring your fabric and using measuring tools, determines the size which is preferably 150 cm x 50 cm for a dakimakura cover. For this project, you will require two different pieces of material- one to be used as the front and the other as the back.
• Pin the Pieces Together: Lay the two pieces of fabric Printed side down then align the edges and use the pins to hold the fabric together.
• Sew the Edges: With a needle and thread and in a sewing machine, sew around the fringes but leave one end unsewn to allow stuffing the pillow. It is up to you to decide on the stitch density, but I advise using a straight stitch only and always begin and end with backstitching.
• Turn the Cover Right Side Out: Gently push through the remaining side and ensure you turn right side out the cover.
• Insert the Pillow: Put your body pillow into the cover.
• Close the Opening: An option is to just sew this hole and then the second option will be to install a zipper or buttons in case of easy removal.

6. Finishing Touches

6.1 Adding Zippers or Buttons

If you want to have your dakimakura cover easily detachable, you should install zippers or buttons. Here’s how:

• Zipper: You should include the zipper in the open edge before doing the seam. Make sure the zipper is well attached for it to last long.
• Buttons: Make buttonholes on one side of the opening and sew buttons on the very side of the garment. This makes easy to reach the pillow while ensuring that the cover does not come off when you are turning on your side.

6.2 Care and Maintenance Tips

To keep your dakimakura cover looking its best, follow these care tips:

• Washing: In so doing it is extremely important to follow the washing instructions of the particular fabric you used. All covers excluding specific instructions must be washed with a washing machine at low spin speeds, and some may need to be hand washed.
• Drying: Do not dry your cover with heat once again, since it may shrink. If using a dryer then do so at low heat.
• Ironing: If the fabric requires it, iron on a low setting and, as with any print, iron on the back of the fabric to prevent harm to the print.

7. Conclusion

When making your own dakimakura cover, you are able to develop an amazing piece with your own personalized flair, and has a fandom on the side. If you want something more creative and personalized you can try to make a special unique body pillow which will perfectly match your mood or other pieces of furniture. No matter if you are a novice or a pro in craft, this ultimate guide has provided you with all the necessary information to start working on a dakimakura. Nowhere, get all your materials, let the creativity flow and have fun while creating your own dakimakura cover!