Are you going to be traveling this summer? If you are, then I have an easy sewing project for you today.
This idea was born out of a desire to have a comfy pillow for my kids when we are traveling that doesn’t take up much room. With 5 kids space is at a premium, even in an 8 passenger vehicle.
Not only that, but don’t you often find it tough to make a regular sized pillow feel comfortable when you are in the car? Maybe that’s just me, but I am really hoping this pillow solves that problem, too.
Julia was happy to test out her pillow for the purpose of this post. Obviously, this photo was staged because there are no boys in the background trying to get into the picture. 🙂
If you would like to make 1, or even 7 pillows like I did, here are the easy instructions.
Supplies
- Fleece Fabric
- Ruler
- Scissors
- Stuffing
- Pins
- Needle
- Thread
- Rotary Cutter (optional)
Instructions
1. Cut 2 pieces of fleece that are 8 inches by 22 inches for a child-sized pillow. For an adult pillow, cut 2 pieces of fleece that are 8 inches by 26 inches.
2. Select the triple stretch stitch on your machine to ensure the seams of the pillow won’t bust apart. The stitch is usually denoted by 3 lines of stitching on a sewing machine. It basically makes 1 stitch forward, 1 stitch backward, and 1 stitch forward when a regular stitch would just be 1 stitch forward.
If you have kids you will understand why I am telling you to use this stitch. 😉
3. With right sides together, stitch around the pieces of fleece using a 1/4 inch seam allowance. Leave an opening for turning that is approximately 3-4 inches wide on one side of the pillow.
This is what the pillow should look like after stitching. The opening on this pillow is on the right short side.
4. Turn the pillow right side out through the opening.
5. Stuff the pillow with stuffing (I used polyester stuffing.). Do not overstuff the pillow. (Yes, I realize this is a different colored pillow, but I forgot to take a picture of the pink pillow.)
6. Sew the opening closed by either using a triple stretch stitch, or…
…by hand sewing it closed.
That is all there is to making a travel pillow!
This was such an easy project that I made 4 for my older children, 1 for me, and 2 for my parents.
By not overstuffing the pillow in Step 5, you can even place part of the pillow behind your neck and curve it so that part of it is at the side. Kind of like a boomerang shape.
I would like to say that I am so happy my almost 13 year old was willing to be my model for these pictures. Sometimes Julia will say things like, “You’re not going to put that picture of me on your blog are you?”
Me?
What?
OK.
Yes!
Yes, I am.
🙂
