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    Home » Sewing

    How to Sew a Reading Pocket Pillow

    Updated: Dec 28, 2020 by Melissa Mortenson · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads · 8 Comments

    Today I’m sharing with you an “oldie but a goodie”. A free sewing tutorial teaching you how to sew a reading pillow!  If you like this project you may also like this Giant Pillow Cover Sewing Tutorial. 

    How to sew a personalized reading pillow with a pocket and handle - free sewing pattern and tutorial on polkadotchair.com

    You can now purchase a PRINTABLE PDF Copy of this pattern with a NEW larger size pillow option.

    JUST CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE

    You can also get a Printed Copy Mailed to You:

    About my Reading Pillow Pattern:

    A few years (actually I checked it was 6 years ago, where does the time go?) I made a reading pillow for my nephew for Christmas. I gifted it to him with a few of my favorite books and a flashlight so that he could “sneak” in a bit of reading after the lights were out.

    Since then I’ve made a few more reading pillows, they make great gifts and can be easily personalized using the recipient’s favorite fabrics or colors.  If you’re looking for a fun handmade gift for the upcoming holidays, you might want to consider this project.

    How to sew a personalized reading pillow with a pocket and handle - free sewing pattern and tutorial on polkadotchair.com
    Photos from the Riley Blake booth at Spring Quilt market, lots of cute sewing and quilting projects using Wonderland Fabric

    Shari Butler of Doohikey Designs created an absolutely dreamy fabric line called Wistful Winds, that is now available through Riley Blake Designs. I spoke to her about it at Quilt Market since we were “booth buddies”. While there she told me some of the story behind this fabric line. I loved the fabric before, but when I heard her speak about it with so much emotion, I loved it even more.

    How to sew a personalized reading pillow with a pocket and handle - free sewing pattern and tutorial on polkadotchair.com

    For my turn on the Blog Hop, I figured it was high time that I made a pillow for my niece since I gift one to her brother so many years ago. Unfortunately, posting this today means that I’ve spoiled a Christmas gift, but I’m pretty sure my 5-year-old niece doesn’t read my blog *wink*.

    How to sew a personalized reading pillow with a pocket and handle - free sewing pattern and tutorial on polkadotchair.com

    About this Reading Pillow:

    To make the pillow I followed my Reading Pillow Tutorial with only a few changes. I created custom piping for the edge of the pillow using the bias stripe fabric in the line and I changed READ to RUBY.

    If you’d like to know how to make the piping you can CLICK here. I used pre-made piping and covered it with fabric, which saved me a bunch of time.

    The RUBY is cut from iron-on vinyl using my Cricut machine. You could also create a custom applique with felt or fabric. If you have an embroidery machine you could also personalize the pillow that way.

    How to sew a personalized reading pillow with a pocket and handle - free sewing pattern and tutorial on polkadotchair.com

    To see all of the great projects shared as a part of the Wistful Winds Blog Hop, just click on the links below. It is the last day of the hop so all of the projects are live as of today.
    October 3rd: Amy Sinibaldi –  www.nanaCompany.typepad.com

    Kristyne Czepuryk –  www.prettybyhand.com4th: Amanda Niederhauser – www.jedicraftgirl.com
    Amy Smart – www.diaryofaquilter.com
    5th: Meagan Taylor/Kristi Jones – www.meagsandme.com
    Christine Cook – www.stitchingrevival.com
    6th: Elea Lutz – www.elealutzdesign.com
    Jodie Carleton – www.vintagericrac.blogspot.com
    7th: Seder Imer – www.downgrapevinelane.com
    Jina Barney – jinabarneydesignz.com
    10th: Elizabeth Evans – www.simplesimonandco.com
    Kimberly Bourne – www.mainstreetmarketdesigns.com
    11th: Jemima Flendt – www.tiedwitharibbon.com
    Nadra Ridgeway – www.ellisandhiggs.com
    Amy Chappel – www.amerooniedesigns.blogspot.com
    12th Katie Skoog – www.thesimplelifecompany.com

    Amber Johnson – www.alittlebitbiased.blogspot.com

    Tina – http://www.onelittlepooh.net/blog-2/
    13th: Angie Wilson – www.gnomeangel.com
    Clare Horsman – www.claresplaceblog.blogspot.com
    Deanna Wall – www.stitchesquilting.com
    14th: Melissa Mortenson – polkadotchair.com
    Jessica Stewart  – www.izzyandivydesigns.com
    Shari Butler – www.doohikeydesigns.com/

    To get the full SEWING TUTORIAL FOR THE READING PILLOW CLICK HERE.

    How to sew a personalized reading pillow with a pocket and handle - free sewing pattern and tutorial on polkadotchair.com

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    About Author

    Melissa Mortenson

    Melissa Mortenson is a blogger, designer, and content creator. She is the Polka Dot Chair blog founder and has been sharing fresh and creative ideas with readers since 2008. She is the author of “Project Teen, Handmade Gifts your Teen will Actually Love.” Her work and designs have been featured on HuffPost, TODAY, Pioneer Woman, HGTV, BuzzFeed, Better Homes & Gardens, and many other established publications. Her first fabric line, “Derby Style,” debuted in January 2015 through Riley Blake Designs.  Additional fabric collections have followed it in subsequent years. A mom of 3, she considers herself lucky to be living in Kentucky.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Shari says

      October 14, 2016 at 8:18 am

      This is absolutely gorgeous and thrilled it’s for your niece! I loved being boothmates with you! You are truly and inspiration to me! Thank you for your many talents!

      Reply
    2. Patti says

      October 15, 2016 at 9:19 am

      I made these for my granddaughters, 4 and 6. They use them to carry stuffies. Immediately the books were out and stuffies put in. ?

      Reply
      • Melissa Mortenson says

        October 18, 2016 at 2:20 pm

        Yes, I think that’s what probably happened with my nephews. Full of legos and matchbox cars. So glad you liked the pattern.

        Reply
    3. Doja says

      October 22, 2016 at 2:32 pm

      That is the cutest little pillow. One of the things I can’t wait to do when I have kids is make them unique things that none of theirs friends will have. Now I must add this to my list of “things to make when I have kids”.

      Reply
    4. margaret reid says

      November 12, 2016 at 11:18 am

      Why do people give us beautiful patterns , and then not allow us to print? WHERE is your PRINT FRIENDLY Button?

      Reply
    5. Terri Blank says

      December 26, 2016 at 7:58 am

      I love this idea for my grandkids and made each of them one for Christmas. They loved it! What a wonderful way to promote the love of reading (says the retired school librarian) with a super cute project! I learned how to do piping for the first time, too! I really enjoyed creating this project. Thanks so much for your awesome tutorials! Keep ’em coming!

      Reply
    6. dispack says

      January 10, 2018 at 12:26 pm

      Melissa–the bunny you have pictured here with this ADORABLE pillow….where did he come from?
      I love him! 🙂 thanks.

      Reply
    7. Donna Belcher says

      April 11, 2018 at 9:11 pm

      Omg! The minute I saw these reading pillows I knew they were for my grandkids—all seven of them! Have already made four of them and they loved them. Have two almost finished and a third waiting! They are so easy and I learned something I had wanted to know for a while – how to put in an invisible zipper. Thanks a bunch! Would post pics but can’t figure out how!

      Reply

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    I’m Melissa. I like to design things, like fabric, printables, and projects.

    I’m also a Mom and a Maker. I am like most of you, just trying to do my best every day. Some days I succeed, many days I fail.  I find joy in creating, if you do too, then I hope that you find something here bring a little “happy” to your life.  Find out more about me here.

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