Dr. Seuss Reading Pillow

SUPPLIES & TOOLS:

• 2/3yd Main pillow fabric (A)
• 1/3yd pocket & handle fabric (B)
• 1/2yd solid color fabric for cording and pocket lining (C)
• 22" polyester zipper
• 3"x 18" sheer fusible interfacing
• 2 1/4"yd cotton filler cord - size 3/16"
• Rotary cutter, ruler & mat
• Fabric scissors
• Basic sewing supplies
• Sewing machine with zipper foot
• Iron & pressing surface

DIRECTIONS:

1. Cut pillow fabric (A) one 19"x 19" and one 19"x 20 1/4".
2. Cut pocket and handle fabric (B) one 8 1/2"x 19" and one 3"x 18".
3. Cut solid color (C) one 9"x 19" and four or five 1 3/4" strips on the bias.
4. Sew the bias strips together to form one strip 1 3/4"x 80". Use the strip to cover the filler cord to make the piping. Set aside the completed piping.
5. Fold the bottom of the 19"x 20 1/4" up 5" with right sides facing. Sew a straight stitch using a 5/8" seam allowance along the fold. Note: This seam is where the zipper will be sewn on. Cut the fold and press it open. Follow the lapped application directions on the zipper package to sew in the zipper. The lap of the zipper should be facing toward the bottom of the fabric. The zipper will stick out both ends of the seam. When the zipper is sewn in sew across the closed end of the zipper at the seam allowance of the pillow. Open the zipper so the slide is not at the end of the zipper and sew the ends together. Clip off the excess length of the zipper only after checking to be sure the zipper slide is in the middle of the zipper and will not be accidentally cut off.
6. To make the pocket sew the top of the 8 1/2"x 19" (B) to the top of the solid color 9"x 19" using a 1/4" seam allowance. Press the seam allowance toward the solid color, fold the solid color to the back leaving a ¼" of the solid color showing on the front and press. The solid color is the pocket trim and the lining for the pocket.
7. Baste the pocket to the front of the 19"x 19" pillow piece (A).
8. Sew the piping around the pillow front catching the pocket edges in the seam.
9. To make the handle fuse the interfacing to the back of the 3"x 18" handle fabric (B). Fold the fused fabric in half lengthwise wrong sides together and press. Open the strip and fold one side in toward the center fold and press, repeat for the other side. Fold the sides in and press. Top stitch both long edges of the handle. Pin the handle on the top of the pillow back (the piece with the zipper) with the ends 6" from each side. The raw edge of the handle against the raw edge of the pillow back and the handle facing toward the middle of the pillow back. Baste the handle ends in place.
10. Open the zipper part way then pin the front with the piping to the back of the pillow right sides together. Sew around then turn the pillow cover inside out. Place the pillow form in the pillow.