How to Make a Pocket Style Rectangular Pillow

Make your own pillows right at home.

Store-bought pillows might seem like a convenient option; however, when it comes down to it you have very little control over the design of the available items, especially when you want specific details included like pockets. To make things worse, store-bought pillows can be costly. Instead of relying on manufactured pillows, make your own custom designs right at home. This project is fairly simple to complete with inexpensive and easily accessible materials, and the construction process really only requires basic sewing skills.

Things You'll Need

• Fabric
• Rectangular pillow insert or stuffing
• Pencil or chalk
• Straightedge
• Scissors
• Needle and thread
• Straight pins

Instructions

1. Fold your fabric in half and hold it up against your pillow insert if you plan to use one; if not, take a pillow of a desirable size and rectangular shape from your home and use it as a guide instead. Trace the outline of the pillow against the fabric with a pencil or chalk, adding about an inch of space for a seam allowance.

2. Lay the marked fabric on a flat surface. Ensure your outlines are straight by tracing over them against a straightedge. Cut out the fabric along the outlines with scissors; you should end up with two equal pieces.

3. Cut out a piece of fabric in a square or another shape of your choice; this will be your pocket. Sew it onto one of the rectangular pieces of fabric in a desirable position with a needle and thread.

4. Turn the fabric sheets over so that the wrong sides are facing out and layer them evenly one on top of the other. Pin the edges of the fabric sheets together with straight pins.

5. Sew along the straight pin outline with a needle and thread. Sew three sides if you plan to use a pillow insert, and sew all but a small opening if you plan to use pillow stuffing instead. Turn the fabric right-side out, stuff with your chosen material in the opening and then finish sewing up the edges.

References

• Sew, Mama, Sew!; How to Make a Basic Pillow + How to Finish a Pillow with Binding; Julie Herman; February 2011
• All Free Crafts; How to Sew a Square Pillow; Gray Rollins