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How to Make a Book Pocket Pillow


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May 8, 2017

Book Pocket Pillow - finished pillow with book in pocketWe made this pillow for my 3 year old. It has a large pocket to carry a book and is perfect for cuddling up for story or nap time.

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Source: www.fairfieldworld.com

Supplies:

  • 18" x 18" pillow form
  • 1/2 yard, pillow fabric (45" wide)
  • 1/2 yard, pocket fabric (45" wide)
  • 1/4 yard coordinating fabric (handle)
  • 16" zipper
  • thread
  • scissors
  • seam ripper
  • pins
  • sewing machine
  • iron and ironing board
  • Optional Applique Supplies:
  • scrap fabrics (for propeller)
  • Wonder Under, fusible webbing
  • embroidery floss
  • embroidery needle
  • iron-on patch

Steps:

  1. Cut two 18" x 18" squares from your pillow fabric. Then cut out two 11" x 18" pieces from your pocket fabric.
  2. Book Pocket Pillow - pattern pinned to pillow fabric
     
    Book Pocket Pillow - cutting out pillow fabric
     
    Book Pocket Pillow - pillow fabric cut out with paper pattern still attached
     
    Book Pocket Pillow - pocket pattern pinned to cloud fabric
     
    Book Pocket Pillow - cutting out pocket
     
  3. Lay the two pocket pieces right sides together and pin along one long side. Sew together with a 1/2" seam. Turn right side out, fold wrong sides together, and iron the seam. Top stitch the top edge.
  4. Book Pocket Pillow - pocket fabric cut out
     
    Book Pocket Pillow - sew pocket pieces
     
    Book Pocket Pillow - fold pocket pieces right sides out and top stitch
     
    Book Pocket Pillow - lay the two pocket pieces right sides together and pin
     
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  5. Put the pocket onto the right side of one of the pillow pieces. Pin together along sides and bottom. Then machine baste with a 3/8" seam allowance.
  6. Book Pocket Pillow - place pocket on top of one of the pillow pieces and pin along sides and bottom.
     
    Book Pocket Pillow - Machine baste.
     
    Book Pocket Pillow - machine basting along side
     
    Book Pocket Pillow - basted on
     
  7. Place the second pillow piece right sides together with pocket pieces. Pin together along the BOTTOM only.
  8. Book Pocket Pillow - place second pillow square on top of the pocket and pillow piece, right sides together, pin alone bottom only
     
  9. Sew together using a LONG basting stitch, with a 1/2" seam allowance and a REGULAR stitch for the first and last inch.
  10. Book Pocket Pillow - Sew together using a LONG basting stitch, with a 1/2" seam allowance and a REGULAR stitch for the first and last inch.
     
    Book Pocket Pillow - long basting stitch and regular near ends
     
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  11. Open up the two pieces and the seam and iron flat.
  12. Book Pocket Pillow - Open up the two pieces and the seam and iron flat.
     
  13. Lay the zipper onto the seam, face down. Stitch around all 4 sides of the zipper.
  14. Book Pocket Pillow - Lay the zipper onto the seam, face down. Stitch around all 4 sides of the zipper.
     
    Book Pocket Pillow - zipper pinned in place
     
    Book Pocket Pillow - sewing zipper in
     
    Book Pocket Pillow - sewn zipper from right side
     
    Book Pocket Pillow - sewn zipper from the wrong side
     
  15. Turn the pillow over and use a seam ripper to carefully open up the seam where the zipper is. DO NOT unstitch the first and last inch.
  16. Book Pocket Pillow - Turn the pillow over and use a seam ripper to carefully open up the seam where the zipper is. DO NOT unstitch the first and last inch.
     
  17. With right sides together, pin the remaining 3 sides. Then sew with 1/2" seam. Tie off the threads, trim the seams, and clip the corners.
  18. Book Pocket Pillow - With right sides together, pin the remaining 3 sides.
     
    Book Pocket Pillow - Then sew with 1/2" seam.
     
    Book Pocket Pillow - clip corners
     
    Book Pocket Pillow - trim seams
     
    Book Pocket Pillow - trimmed pillow
     
    Book Pocket Pillow - view with the zipper open
     
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  19. Handle: Make a paper template for the handle that is 12" x 2.5". Pin the template to the fabric with the long side on the fold. Cut it out. Open up the fabric, fold in half longwise (right sides together), and sew together along one short side and the long side. Turn the handle right side out and turn in the seam 1/2" on the open end, pinning closed.
  20. Book Pocket Pillow - pin your paper handle template to the fabric on the fold
     
    Book Pocket Pillow - cut out handle
     
    Book Pocket Pillow - open out
     
    Book Pocket Pillow - with right sides together sew one short side and the long side, turn right side out, turn in the 1/2 inch seam allowance on the open end and pin
     
  21. Top stitch around all 4 sides, close to the edge.
  22. Book Pocket Pillow - Top stitch around all 4 sides, close to the edge.
     
  23. Pin each end of the handle, 3.5" from the ends of the pillow. The handle is centered over the top seam. Also use pins to mark 2.5" in from the end of each handle (see photos below).
  24. Book Pocket Pillow - Pin each end of the handle, 3.5" from the ends of the pillow.
     
    Book Pocket Pillow - The handle is centered over the top seam.
     
    Book Pocket Pillow - Also use pins to mark 2.5" in from the end of each handle.
     
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  25. Sew a square that is on top of the top stitching and across at the marked 2.5". Then sew an "x" in the square as shown below.
  26. Book Pocket Pillow - Sew a square that is on top of the top stitching and across at the marked 2.5".
     
    Book Pocket Pillow - x stitch from wrong side of pillow cover
     
    Book Pocket Pillow - Then sew an "x" in the square as shown below.
     
  27. Propeller Applique: Create templates for the propeller and center pieces. Adhere pieces of fusible webbing to the wrong sides of the fabrics you have chosen, following package instructions. Trace the templates onto the paper backing, cut out the shapes, and remove the paper backing.
  28. Book Pocket Pillow - Create templates for the propeller and center pieces.
     
    Book Pocket Pillow - Adhere pieces of fusible webbing to the wrong sides of the fabrics you have chosen, following package instructions - Trace the templates onto the paper backing
     
    Book Pocket Pillow - cut out the shapes
     
    Book Pocket Pillow - circle cut out
     
    Book Pocket Pillow - template and fabric with webbing for prop
     
    Book Pocket Pillow - cut out prop
     
    Book Pocket Pillow - remove the paper backing
     
  29. Place the propeller pieces onto the pillow pocket as shown below, then iron on according to package directions.
  30. Book Pocket Pillow - place propeller pieces on fabric
     
    Book Pocket Pillow - add center to prop
     
    Book Pocket Pillow - iron on per instructions
     
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  31. Center the propeller in a small embroidery hoop. Use embroidery floss (3 strands) to add decorative stitching to the propeller.
  32. Book Pocket Pillow - Center the propeller in a small embroidery hoop.
     
    Book Pocket Pillow - using 3 strands of floss add decorative stitching to propeller
     
    Book Pocket Pillow - stitching done
     
    Book Pocket Pillow - different view of finished stitching
     
  33. Then use the edges of the embroidery hoop as a guide to stitch some "air turbulence" with embroidery floss (3 strands). We also added the extra detail of stitching his name and connecting it to one of the stitched lines. We purchased a Snoopy iron-on patch that we attached too.
  34. Book Pocket Pillow - use the edges of the embroidery hoop as a guide to stitch some "air turbulence" with embroidery floss (3 strands)
     
    Book Pocket Pillow - curved stitching
     
    Book Pocket Pillow - second line of curved stitching
     
    Book Pocket Pillow - three arcs of stitching
     
    Book Pocket Pillow - child's name added
     
    Book Pocket Pillow - turbulence and name complete
     
    Book Pocket Pillow - Snoopy as Flying Ace patch placed and pressed on
     
  35. Insert the pillow form, fill the pocket with a book or two, and enjoy your cozy pillow!
  36. Book Pocket Pillow - insert pillow form
     
    Book Pocket Pillow - finished pillow on chair
     
    Book Pocket Pillow - hand holding handle
     
    Book Pocket Pillow - pillow with book in pocket
     
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June 29, 2020

This pillow has a pocket that can be used for a book, journal, or even a midnight snack.

Pocket Pillow - second pillow with different fabric

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