Sew Cute Patterns

Sewing patterns to create stuffed animals, plush toys and aprons

Free Pillow Pattern - Make a Reading or Pajama Pillow!

Free PatternsDiana Cison

Pocket pillows, also know as book pillows or reading pillows, have a pouch on the front or back for storage! This adorable puppy pillow pattern will show you how to create a pocket pillow on the back of it, perfect for storing your child’s favorite bedtime story or their pajamas. Ideal for the next sleepover or pajama party!

Just download the pattern pieces and follow the step by step instructions.

Sewing skill level: Beginner

book pillow pattern.GIF

Pattern pages

Click here to download the pattern pages. The pages print on standard paper sizes.

The pattern includes two types of ears. Pick your favorite one or make one of each!

Cut all of the pattern pieces from the pattern pages. The head, ears and pouch patterns print on multiple pages and will need to be taped together. Simply match up the letters and use them as a guide when taping the pieces together. Tape along the dashed lines.

What you’ll need:

  • 1/2 yard fleece fabric for puppy head

  • 1/2 yard fleece fabric for pouch

  • 1/4 yard fleece fabric for ears

  • Scraps of black felt fabric for eyes and nose

  • White fabric paint for eye “twinkle”

  • Red felt fabric for tongue

  • Black embroidery floss or crotchet thread and needle for mouth

  • Polyester stuffing

  • Hot glue gun or fusible web to attach eyes and mouth

  • Iron if opting for fusible web

To glue or not to glue…..

When attaching the eyes and nose to the puppy’s head you can either glue it or fuse it. Which one should you choose? The advantage to the hot glue is that it’s faster and cheaper if you already have a hot glue gun. The advantage to the fusible web is that it will look smoother around the edges. If you opt to glue, make sure you add glue as close to the edge as possible. Adding too much glue can leave it bumpy where you added too much. The fusible web is recommended but both are permanent.

reading pillow pattern.GIF

Instructions:

Pin the left ear and right ear patterns to double layered fleece fabric and cut one of each.

With fabric right sides together, pin and stitch both ears leaving the top of the ears open to reverse. Clip the inward seams for both ears where the ear bends. Reverse right side out.

Pin the pouch pattern to single layered fleece fabric and cut one.

Pin the head pattern to double layered fleece fabric and cut one.

Cut two pupils from black felt fabric.

Cut one nose from black felt fabric.

Turn one of the head fabric pieces to the right side and place the paper pattern on top. First, using a large needle, poke a hole at the top of each eye, top of the nose and along the entire smile. For the smile, space the holes about 1/4” apart. Then, put the tip of a pencil into each hole and make a light mark onto the fabric. This will be your guide to stitching the mouth and attaching the eyes and nose.

Using black embroidery floss and needle, backstitch the mouth.

Hot glue (with hot glue gun) or iron (with fusible web) the eyes and nose to the puppy’s face.

Pin the tongue pattern to single layered red felt fabric and cut one.

Hot glue the top edge of the tongue along the top of the puppy’s smile. Fold it up during the stitching process to keep it away from the seam where you will be stitching.

Make DIY magic with unique craft supplies.

Lay one of the head fabric pieces down with fabric right side up. Place the ears on both sides of the puppy’s head facing down as shown. Tuck the top of the ears inside so they are out of the way of the seam where you will be stitching.

Fold the pouch with the fabric wrong sides together and place it at the bottom of the head with the folded side on top.

Lay the other head fabric on top with fabric right sides together and pin around the entire seam line.

Stitch together leaving an opening to reverse and stuff.

Reverse right side out pulling out the ears and pouch. When reversing, reverse the pouch so that it is on the back of the puppy’s head.

Stuff with polyester stuffing. Use small bits of stuffing at a time to avoid lumps. Do not over stuff. Pillow should remain flat.

Stitch the opening closed by hand using a ladder stitch.

Drop a dot of white fabric paint at the corner of each black eye to make a “twinkle” in each eye. Let dry.

Insert your child’s favorite pajamas or bedtime story into the pouch!

free pillow pattern reading pillow pattern.GIF