DIY Reading Book Pocket Pillow Pattern (Free Pattern)

Learn How to Sew a Reading Pillow with a pocket using this Free Pattern

Create a fun reading pillow and encourage the love of reading with our free Reading Pocket Pillow Sewing Pattern.  

Books are great gifts for boys and girls of all ages, from babies up to teens.  Gifting books is even more fun and special with a homemade cozy reading pocket pillow.

A reading pillow with a front pocket is a great way for a kid to cuddle up with their favorite book OR the handy handle makes it easy to grab when traveling to carry books, coloring books, crayons, markers, stuffed animals and other fun stuff.

WHAT SIZE IS A READING PILLOW?

Size Matters! Reading pillows can be made in many different sizes.  Our reading pillow is large, soft, and comfy; it's 18" x 18".

In this DIY tutorial, we'll walk you through the steps to sew an adorable and functional reading pillow from start to finish, from choosing fabric to cutting the fabric, from sewing the pillow cover to inserting the pillow form and book.

Watch the DIY reading pocket book pillow video first and then follow the written step-by-step instructions below.

Do you have A different Size Pillow form?

If you have a different size pillow form, visit our Etsy shop for our listing that includes cutting instructions for popular SQUARE pillow sizes: 14", 16", 18" (included in this tutorial), 20" and 22".

These homemade reading pocket pillows are super fast to sew, but if you're short on time, check out Etsy's reading pillow selection.

Machine embroiderers!  Saying and machine embroider applique designs are the perfect addition to reading pillows. Sweet Pea Machine Embroidery has a few fun 'in the hoop' reading pillow designs - horse or unicorn, deer, dragon, and dinosaur. 

reading pocket pillow step-by-step INSTRUCTIONS :

STEP 1: Choose coordinating fabric

As far as fabrics go, this style pocket pillow is the perfect showcase for fun cotton fabrics. The pillow can be made from one fabric, but it's all about the fabric combinations.

Have the recipient in mind when choosing the fabric.  Get creative and choose fabrics in the recipient's favorite colors or theme.

For instance, my great-grandson loves to play with matchbox cars and trucks.  For today's tutorial, deciding on a car theme for the pocket along with a complimentary fabric for the main pillow fabric was a no-brainer.

Choosing the fabric can be lots of fun.

STEP 3: how to make the reading book pocket

Fold the pocket piece in half, wrong sides together, so that it measures 11" by 19".  Press the fold to set a crease.

Open the piece and place the 11" by 19" piece of fusible fleece on top of one section aligning the edge of the fleece with the crease.

Fuse the fleece to the fabric with an iron, ironing from the center toward the edges of the fabric.  Read the manufacturer's directions to make sure you are fusing it correctly.

Refold the pocket at the center crease and press again to flatten the top fold.

Edgestitch along the top edge of the pocket at the fold.

STEP 4: make a handle for the reading pillow

With the 4" x 8" handle fabric, fold it in half lengthwise, wrong sides together, and press to set a crease.

Unfold the fabric, then fold each raw edge of the fabric to the center crease and press.

Next, fold the handle fabric in half again at the first center crease.The handle should be 1" wide x 8" long with four layers of fabric and raw edges inside.

At the sewing machine using a straight stitch, sew a row of stitches, edgestitch, along both sides of the handle close to the fold.

STEP 5: Assemble the reading pillow front

First, apply the 19" x 19" fusible fleece piece to the back of the pillow front. Lay the fusible fleece on the ironing board with the fusible side up.  Place the pillow front fabric on top with wrong side down.  Fuse together by ironing from the center toward the edges of the fabric.

Now, lay the large front pillow piece on your work table with the right side facing up.  Take the pocket piece and place it directly on top of the front piece making sure to line up the raw edges on the sides and bottom.  Pin in place.

Let's attach the handle.  Form the handle into a "U" shape at the center top edge of the pillow front so that it's facing down.  The ends should be about three inches apart.  Pin.

The pocket and handle should be pinned.

At the sewing machine, baste both the right and left sides of the pocket to secure them.  Also, baste close to the edge of the handle to hold it in place.

STEP 6: Create the reading pillow envelope back

Please visit our tutorial for the Nine Patch Pillow steps 6 - 8 to make the back with a hook-and-loop closure. These steps will instruct you on how to cut the back pieces and assemble the back with a hook-and-loop closure. Then, continue with this tutorial on Step 7.

Sample Pillow with Hook & Loop Closure 

For the envelope back, continue here.

For both back pieces, fold one of the long edges under 1/2" toward the wrong side of the fabric and press.

Fold 1/2" again and press flat.  The raw edge is hidden in the fold.

Pin and topstitch close to the inside fold of the fabric.

STEP 7: put the reading pocket pillow together

Lay the pillow front right side up on a flat surface.  Pin one pillow backing piece, right side down, to the top of the pillow front with the folded edge facing down toward the center. Be sure to line up the three raw edges - the TOP edge and the SIDE edges of the pillow front piece.  

Now, pin the second pillow back piece on top of this piece, right side down, and line up the raw edges of this piece with the BOTTOM and SIDE edges of the pillow front.  Be sure the folded edge is facing up this time.

STEP 8: stitching around the reading pillow perimeter

Stitch around the entire pillow perimeter using 1/2" seam allowance.  Begin sewing along one side, not at the corner.

When you get close to the corner, stop with the needle down, pivot diagonally and sew two or three stitches diagonally, needle down, pivot and sew the next side.

By doing the diagonal stitches at each corner the pillow will have a nicer finished look when turned right side out.  The corner will be crisper.

Also, reinforce the stitching over the folded edges of the pillow back and the handle stitching them again. 

With a scissor, clip the corners diagonally to reduce some of the fabric bulk.  To prevent the seams from fraying, zigzag stitch around the entire pillow.

STEP 9: finishing

It's time to turn the pillow cover right side out.  A point turner is a helpful tool for poking out the corners of the pillow.

Finally, insert the pillow form and a good book and the reading pocket pillow is ready for gift-giving.

Whether you need a kid's gift for a birthday, Christmas or other holiday, a reading pillow is a cute idea that can be easily personalized for the recipient.

IDEAS ON HOW TO PERSONALIZE A READING PILLOW

• By choosing a fun themed fabric and colors recipient likes
• Embroider recipients name on the pillow
• Machine applique a design on the pillow
• Add a quote to the pillow
• Print a personalized photo onto the pocket fabric

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Happy Sewing!

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