Pocket Pillow Tote for Books

Pocket Pillow or Pillow Tote for books or Kindles or cell phones or candy bars...

or any number of things. :)

I made this for my granddaughter but it could also be made for boys out of boy fabric. Boys read, too, and they can put their toy cars in the pockets, frogs, etc. There is some really cute fabric for boys at Joann's. The girl fabric is darling, of course. All girl stuff is so much cuter than boys. (My daughter is always bemoaning that fact because she has a little 3 year old son, who is THE cutest).

For this project I chose 2 coordinating fabrics. One fabric for the back and front of the pillow and one fabric for the pocket.

I cut 2 pieces out of one fabric for the body of the pillow 15" x 15". For the pocket I cut ONE piece of fabric 15" x 15". The pocket piece is going to be folded in half to make the large front pocket of the pillow.

Fold the pocket piece of fabric in half with WRONG sides together.

Lay this pocket piece on top of the RIGHT side of one of the body pieces of fabric. If you want the large pocket in 2 sections this would be the time to make one stitch from the top of the pocket to the bottom of the pillow.

Lay the other pillow body piece RIGHT side down on top of the other 2 pieces.

Now the pillow is ready to be sewn up so it's time to make the strap. Cut the strap fabric 3" by 36" long or however long you want the strap to be. Fold - lengthwise - and iron wrong sides together. Fold raw edges in and make a stitch on the edge all the way to the end of the strap. I always make my straps like this. It's easy and pretty accurate.

Now put the strap INSIDE the pillow that is ready to be sewn up and leave the 2 ends of the strap coming out - only about an inch - the top near the top two corners. When sewing up the pillow, be careful not to "catch" a bit of the strap in the stitches.

Sew all around and leave an opening for stuffing. Turn the pillow inside out. I use polyester stuffing but you could buy a polyester pillow form 15" square. It's better to have a little bit larger pillow form so that it is a snug fit and doesn't leave gaps all around. Stuff the pillow and stitch the opening by hand or machine.

This would be nice for the kids to take in the car with their books, ipods, iphones, and their other "stuff" and then if they get tired they can use the pillow for a little rest.

Believe it or not only basic sewing skills are needed for this project.

I made some cozy, comfy flannel pillowcases... warm and snuggly. I made them for my granddaughter and then I made 4 of them for the couches in the family room and bought 4 pillows to go in them. We are "nesting" in there - so cozy (the dogs love 'em, too.) ha ha

Best wishes,

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15 comments

JP 2/05/2014 2:26 PM
What a fabulous idea, Linda....it turned out great and the fabric possibilities are endless!
Melinda2/05/2014 3:56 PM
This would be a great gift. Fun for sleepovers.

M :)
ProbablyCrafting2/06/2014 10:00 AM
Aww.. Great idea and cute! New follower from Wake Up Wednesday party! Thanks for linking up!
Unknown2/06/2014 6:34 PM
I love this! Found you on Friendship Friday:-) Now, if only I could sew....
Grace Grits and Gardening2/07/2014 3:58 PM
This is great. I need one beside my bed...
Unknown2/07/2014 4:02 PM
I love this idea, thanks for sharing!!! Pinned. :)

Jamie
www.huckleberrylove.com
Lori Vachon2/07/2014 7:24 PM
This is adorable!!! My little girls would love this & fill it over & over again!
Deborah@Green Willow Pond2/09/2014 3:17 PM
What a great little pillow tote! You could tuck a little good night note in there for a sleepover too. Thank you for sharing it and your yummy recipes at What We Accomplished Wednesdays.

Have a happy day!
Deborah
Unknown2/10/2014 1:18 PM
What a cute idea
Unknown2/11/2014 11:24 PM
Linda - This is ADORABLE! I will be featuring your post at the Foodies & Crafties Soiree Link Party! Have a terrific rest of the week and I can't wait to see what you link up this week!
Cathy
APeekIntoMyParadise.com
Unknown2/17/2014 11:51 PM
I think I need one of these for me. Take a book and a pillow to the local park for some quiet time - sounds perfect!
Unknown2/18/2014 10:48 AM
You totes are darling and such a great idea - kids will love these! Thanks for sharing on the Four Seasons Blog Hop!
Tenns Reid2/21/2014 12:25 PM
I don't sew, but this is very cute!

Thanks for linking up at Gingham & Roses!
Hope to see you back next week!

Tenns @ New Mama Diaries
Anonymous3/08/2014 1:18 PM
My sister (Shawna) and I are always sewing something for our niece/nephew and her grandchildren. We have so much fun together. We made pillows for our 3-year-old twin niece/nephew for Christmas but didn't think about putting a pocket on the front. Such a great idea! Perhaps we'll sew up new ones for their birthday! Now that would be fun - I'll have to share this with Shawna today!

Thanks for sharing this terrific DIY on your #simplybebetsy gallery.
Sharon (and Denise who is my other sister)
Jennifer Wise10/23/2019 10:54 AM
This is darling!! What a fun idea.
#wonderfulwednesday