How To Make A Book Pillow

1.  Getting Ready

Before you begin, wash and iron all of your fabrics. Then, trim each piece to size:

• • • • • FRONT PANEL & INSIDE LINER PANEL:  17″W x 17″H
        • POCKET:  17″W x 9.5″H
        • INSIDE POCKET LINER:  17″W x 10″H
        • BACK PANELS:  12″W x 17″H
        • HANDLE:  6″W x 10″H

2.  Preparing Materials

• • • • • FRONT PANEL:  sandwich the quilt batting (G) between the front panel (A) and the inside panel liner (B). Fabric should be right-side facing out on each side. Pin the materials together.
        • POCKET:  pin the front pocket (D) to the inside pocket liner (E), right-sides facing together, top and side edges aligned. Sew the top edge of the panels together with an 1/8″ seam allowance. Open andiron the inside seam flat. Flip the panels so that the right sides are facing out and match up the bottom edges, creating a 1/4″ faux-binding along the top where the inside pocket liner fabric will peek above the front pocket. Top-stitch along the faux-binding edge.
        • HANDLE:  fold handle (F) in half, length-wise, right-side facing out. Iron to create a crease down the center fold. Open the fabric and fold each long-outside edge to the center line and iron each side again. Fold fabric along center crease, matching outside creases together and iron once more. Handle (F) should now measure 1.5″W x 10″H. Pin and top-stitch along each side, length wise 1/8″ from the outside edge.
        • BACK PANELS:  Confirm the fabric design of the right-facing sides of your back panels (C) are facing the correct direction to match the front panel (A). Fold the right edge of the left-ha side back panel (C) 1/2″ and iron a crease. Open the fabric and fold the long-outside edge to the crease line and iron again. Fold closed and iron once more. Repeat the process on the right-hand side back panel (C). Ironing and creasing on the left-edge. Top-stitch the folded edge of each panel length-wise 1/8″ from the edge to create the hem.

3.  Finishing Pillow

• • • • • FRONT SECTION:  pin the pocket (DE) to the front panel (AGB), with the right-sides facing out. Center and pin the handle (F) to the front panel (AGB), aligning the ends of the handle (F) to the top edge of the front panel (AGB). Secure the top of the handle (F) with a pin to keep it tucked in place while sewing. Sew around the entire pillow square with a 1/8″ seam allowance, be sure to double stitch across the handles and the pocket edges for extra-strength.
        • BACK SECTION:  pin the first back panel (C-P1) to the front panel (AGB) with right sides facing and the hem in the vertical center. Make sure the handle (F) is tucked securely between the two sections. Pin the second back panel (C-P2) so that the back panels overlap, right-sides facing the front panel (AGB) with the back panel hems in the center, facing the back panel (AGB). Sew around the entire book pillow square with a 1/4″ seam allowance, be sure to double stitch across the back panel hems for extra strength.
        • FINISH:  Remove all pins. Place the pillow insert (H) against the inside panel liner (B). Fold the first back panel (C) over the pillow insert (H). Use a knitting needle or corner tool to turn the corners of the book pillow (as needed), being careful not to damage the fabric. Squeezing the pillow, fold the second back panel (C) over the pillow insert. Adjust corners as needed. Your pillow is now complete.

4.  Tips

• • • • • IRONING:  ironing each section between steps will help insure a better finished product.
        • SPLIT POCKET:  you can divide the pocket into smaller sections by sewing vertical lines from bottomoto the top edge of the faux-binding before sewing the outer edge of the front section (AGBDEF-1)
        • MIX AND MATCH:  havefun mixing and matching your fabrics to create cute designs.
          • • OPTION 1:  Fabric 1 -A,C; Fabric 2 – D,F; Fabric 3 – E
            • OPTION 2:  Fabric 1 – C,D,F; Fabric 2 – A; Fabric 3 – E
            • OPTION 3:  Fabric 1 -C,E; Fabric 2 – A; Fabric 3 – D,F