Reading Pillow Tutorial

Hey! Today, we’re making a super handy reading pillow with a pocket for holding books. These pillows make great gifts for kids who love to read. Whether you’re an experienced at sewing or just starting out, this project is easy and fun. Let’s jump in and get started!

Pocket Pillow Sewing Tutorial
Learn to sew this super cute pocket pillow. Great for Christmas gift giving for a little bookworm on your list.

Material requirements

  • 1/2 yard pillow front fabric, sample features Wild Things by Betsy Siber for Cloud9
  • 1/2 yard pocket fabric
  • 1/2 yard pillow back fabric
  • 1 Yard Pellon® 987F Fusible Fleece
  • 18″ pillow insert

Step 1: Cut & prepare fabric

  • Cut 1 pillow front fabric 18″ x 18″
  • Cut 2 pillow pocket pieces 11 1/2″ tall x 18″ wide
  • Cut 2 pillow back fabric pieces 12 1/2″ tall x 18″ wide
  • Cut 1 fusible fleece for the pillow front 18″ x 18″
  • Cut 1 fusible fleece for the pocket 11 1/2″ x 18″

Iron fusible fleece to 1 of the pillow pocket pieces, and the pillow front following manufacturers instructions. For your convenience here are the instructions for Pellon 987F Fusible Fleece:

  1. Place fusible fleece on ironing surface with fusible side up. Place fabric on top of fleece with right side up.
  2. To fuse, press firmly in place for approximately 10 seconds. Repeat, lifting and slightly overlapping iron until all interfacing is fused. Let fabric cool, then check bond.

Step 2: Sew pocket

Lay the fused pillow pocket fabric on top of your other pillow pocket fabric, with right side together, pin in place. With 1/2″ seam allowance sew along the top edge of the pillow pocket pieces. Press, and fold down, then top stitch 1/8″ along to the edge to hold the layers in place. Set aside.

Step 3: Prepare envelope pillow back

Press under 1/2″ twice on both of your pillow back fabric pieces. Set aside.

Step 4: Assemble pillow

Pin the pillow pocket to the pillow front with right sides facing up, sew a basting stitch along the sides and bottom with less than 1/2″ seam allowance so this doesn’t show later in your finished pillow.

Lay the pillow back on top of the pillow front aligning with the top edge of the pillow, right sides facing each other. Place the second pillow back piece on top aligning with the bottom edge of the pillow. Pin in place.

To avoid dog ear corners, cut away 1/2″ at a angled taper at least 4″ along the sides (as shown below). Do this to all 4 corners.

Sew with 1/2″ seam allowance all around. Clip off the corners. Turn pillow right side out. And you’re done!

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Happy sewing!