Fleece Travel Pillow Tutorial

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.

:)

  • Sandy

    Julia, you look so cute as a model!  :)

    This is so timely, I have been saying I’m going to make one of these for a long time and have yet to do it. I am making one today, as we are going on a car trip tomorrow! Thanks so much for sharing this Jackie! 

    • http://www.blessingsoverflowing.com/ Jackie

      Thanks, Sandy! I will be sure to tell her. :)

      I am so glad the timing worked out. Please let me know how your pillow making goes and how well you like it on your trip. Have fun!

      • Sandy

        Love this pillow!! It was so easy to make :)   I do not have a lot of fleece in my stash, all I could find was a boring brown, so I added a cute little flower iron-on that I found. I had never used the triple stretch stitch on my machine before, but will be using it more often. Thanks again for the great tutorial Jackie  :)

        • http://www.blessingsoverflowing.com/ Jackie

          Awesome, Sandy! I bet your flower embellishment is cute. I didn’t do anything extra to my pillows, but that is a nice idea for another time. So glad you liked the tutorial. :)