Remote Control Pocket Pillow Tutorial

For Christmas this year I made my dad and my father-in-law each a remote control pillow. Each pillow was made from brown corduroy fabric and featured pockets on one side and was plain on the other. The pocket side of the pillows had two smaller pockets for holding remote controls and a larger pocket in which I put some cashews and a word search book.

I have to share a funny story. When I told my daughter what I was making she thought I meant that the pillows would be operated by remote control.She couldn’t figure out how I was going to do this. 🙂 I love that girl.

These pillows wouldn’t have to be limited to remote controls. I think a pocket pillow could be handy for all sorts of things. If you are interested in making one of these pillows for yourself here is my tutorial.

Materials

• 2 pieces of 17 1/2 inch by 17 1/2 inch fabric (pillow pieces)
• 1 piece of 8 1/2 inch by 17 1/2 inch fabric (pocket piece)
• Fiberfill (stuffing)
• Coordinating thread
• Sewing machine
• Ruler
• Hand sewing needle
• Iron

Instructions

Step 1: Fold one long side of the pocket piece (8 1/2″ x 17 1/2″ fabric piece) down 1/2 inch, placing wrong sides together. Press.

Step 2: Stitch along the fold using a 1/4 inch seam allowance.

Step 3: Pin the pocket piece to one 17 1/2″ x 17 1/2″ piece of fabric placing the wrong side of the pocket piece to the right side of the pillow piece being sure to line up the bottom edges evenly.

Step 4: Baste the pocket piece to the pillow piece using a 1/8 inch seam. Only sew along the 2 short sides and the bottom of the pocket. Do NOT sew along the top of the pocket piece.

Step 5: Draw chalk lines on the pocket piece so that you know where to sew. Make one line in the center of the pocket at 8 3/4 inches. This will divide the pocket in half. On one of the halves draw another chalk line at 4 3/8 inches from the edge. You need to decide now if you want to have 4 small pockets or the two small pockets and one large pocket pictured in this tutorial.

Step 6: Sew on the chalk lines being sure to backstitch at each end.

Step 7: Pin the other 17 1/2 inch piece of fabric, right sides together, on top of the piece that has the pockets.

Step 8: Sew the pieces together using a 1/4 seam allowance leaving a 5 inch opening on one side (above the pocket) for turning. Clip all four corners of the fabric. (You just want to trim a little triangle off of each corner without cutting into your seam allowance.)

Step 9: Stuff the pillow with the Fiberfill to the desired fullness (Do not overstuff). Hand stitch the opening closed.

Now your pillow is ready to use or give as a gift. If you have any questions please let me know.