From the page: The towel that still wants to hug
Idea 6
Stuffed meditation cushion
Meditation cushions (the so-called zafus) are traditionally filled with firm natural fibers to support the body's weight with stability. Shredded old towels become a dense, soft stuffing — it works because the cotton fibers interlock and distribute the weight, holding their shape without sinking.
What you need
- One old bath towel
- Sturdy fabric for the cover (it can be another repurposed fabric, like a sofa cover or thick sheet)
- Scissors
- Sewing machine or needle and strong thread
- Velcro tape or zipper
How to make it
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1
Cut the towel into strips and then into small pieces, like coarse confetti — this volume will be the stuffing, and the finer you shred it, the more even the seat will be.
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2
Cut two fabric circles about 16 inches in diameter for the base and the top, plus a side strip approximately 6 inches tall.
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3
Sew the side strip around the edge of the base circle, forming a "drum" — sew it well reinforced, because the stuffing is heavy and puts pressure on the seams.
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4
Leave an opening at the top and sew the velcro or zipper onto it — this way you can adjust the stuffing later, depending on your preferred firmness.
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5
Fill with the towel pieces, pressing down well with each handful — filling firmly is the secret to keeping the cushion from going flat over time.
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6
Close it, sit, and test: if it sinks too much, open it and add more stuffing.
Finishing touches
A traditional trick is to stitch the stuffing into a figure-eight shape from the inside, creating two firm "mounds" that better support the sitting bones. If you have towel left over, make a smaller support for the feet or knees.
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