Reading Pillows

Reading pillows for the grandkids

     This past Christmas I made reading pillows for the grandkids.  I had seen the idea and designs on Designs by JuJu.  I looked briefly at the instructions they had and a bunch of samples and then went with my own version.

Pressed in crease and first line

Perpendicular lines for centering embroidery

     I used flannel that had been given to me by a friend and cotton fabric from my stash.  I cut two 18" squares from the flannel and a slightly larger square from the cotton fabric.  I wanted to be sure that if the embroidery shrunk the fabric a little it would still be big enough.

Adding fusible fleece to the back of the pocket

     I pressed in a center line and then marked a line parallel to it about 4 inches down to be the center of the embroidery.  I then marked two other lines perpendicular to that one, about 4 inches from the center to be the horizontal center of the embroidery.

Templates in place

     I added a 9 x 18 inch piece of fusible fleece to the back of the pocket, behind the markings.  I then placed the templates of the designs on to be sure everything looked good.  I hooped the fleece backed fabric in my 4 x 4 hoop and did the stitching for each of the designs.

Adding the fabric for the applique

     After the two designs were done, I then folded the fabric in half and cut a 9 x 18 inch rectangle.  I serged around the edges to keep everything neat and together.

Pocket all ready

Adding lining to the pillow fabric

     I cut two 18" squares of flannel backed lining drapery (prewashed) and serged it to the flannel pieces.  I wanted the pillow to have a little more strength than just the flannel.  I then marked a line up about 4 inches from the center and marked the middle of it.  That was the line for their name.  I used the Bookworm font in my Masterworks embroidery program. I then stitched their name and attached the pocket to the front piece.

Marking the handles

     I made a handle from a piece of flannel 4 x 18 inches.  I folded it in half and pressed to mark the center.  I then opened it up and pressed the raw edges to the center and folded back up.  I gave it a thorough pressing and then stitched close to the long edges to for the handle.  No need to make and turn a tube.  I pinned to the top of the pillow front, 5 inches in from the edges.  I basted it in place.  Next the zipper.

Marking for the zipper

     I made two marks, 2 1/2 inches in from the edge, on the bottom of the pillow front.   I then placed the front and back together with right sides facing.

Zipper line stitched

  

     I then sewed them together with a half inch seam allowance.  I started at one end and sewed to the mark, backstitching on each end.  Then I switched to the basting stitch and did that until I got to the second mark.  I then went back to the regular stitch and stitched to the end, again backstitching at each end.  The basting stitches will be much easier to remove once the zipper is in place.

Pressed open

  Press the seam open.  Tape the zipper (make sure it is partially open) in place on the wrong side using blue painters tape.  You can sew thru it and it won't gum up your needle.  The zipper should be longer than the opening so you won't hit any part of it while sewing.  I used 14" zippers.

Zipper taped in place

     Next I cut a piece of the tape, 13" by 1/2 inch.

Cutting the zipper stitching guide

     I centered this over the seam on the bottom of the pillow to use as my stitching guide.

Adding the tape for sewing

     Stitch all the way around and remove the tape.

Zipper all stitched in place

     Then just remove the basting stitches with your seam ripper and you are ready to sew the pillow closed.  Place it right sides together and stitch the last three sides with a 1/2 inch seam allowance.  Turn it right side out thru the zipper opening and add your 18" pillow form.

Ready for gift giving

  Buy a book for each one and you are all set.  I didn't even need to wrap them or add a name tag.  

  I had a great time choosing fabrics from my stash for the applique pieces.

Fabrics used

      I hope you enjoyed this tutorial.  If you have any questions, you can contact me at celeste@sewmuchfun.biz.