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How to Sew a Lap Pillow for Reading

Reading in bed is so much fun for kids, but it can be difficult to hold up the book while laying down. Our easy lap pillow for reading is the perfect solution because you can prop up the book while enjoying the story, and then store the book in the attached pocket when you are not reading it.

A kids reading pillow is a great DIY gift, especially for Christmas when reading holiday stories is so much fun!

Kids Reading Pillow on White Background

This handmade pillow is also a great book nook pillow. Kids or adults can curl up in the chair or on a bench and easily read their favorite novel or chapter book.

How to Sew a Lap Pillow for Reading

Supplies

Kids Reading Pillow Supplies

Instructions

Step 1

Cut fat quarters of fabric to the following dimensions:

  • Pillow front – 18” x 18”
  • Pocket front – 11” x 18”
  • Pocket lining – 11” x 18”
  • Pillow back – (2) 12” x 18”
Kids Reading Pillow Step 1

Step 2

Place pocket pieces right sides together and clip.

Kids Reading Pillow Step 2

Step 3

Sew across top of pocket with ½” seam allowance.

Kids Reading Pillow Step 3

Step 4

Open the seam and press open with an iron. Then turn pocket right side out.

Kids Reading Pillow Step 4

Step 5

Top stitch across the top of the pocket. Set aside.

Kids Reading Pillow Step 5

Step 6

Cut ribbon to 8 inches long.

Kids Reading Pillow Step 6

Step 7

Fold the ribbon into a handle shape and clip to the top, right side of pillow front fabric.

Kids Reading Pillow Step 7
Kids Reading Pillow Step 8

Step 8

Sew across ribbon edges on each side.

Kids Reading Pillow Step 9

Step 9

Place the pocket on top of pillow front with the bottom edges aligned. Clip the sides together.

Kids Reading Pillow Step 10

Step 10

Sew down the sides of the pocket with ½” seam allowance. Backstitch at top of pocket to reinforce the seams.

Kids Reading Pillow Step 11

Step 11

For the back, fold under one of the 18” sides on each fabric. Press the seam with an iron and then clip or pin.

Kids Reading Pillow Step 12

Step 12

Sew across the fold with ¼” seam allowance.

Kids Reading Pillow Step 13
Kids Reading Pillow Step 14

Step 13

Place one back fabric on top of the pillow front, top edges aligned and right sides together. Clip to hold.

Kids Reading Pillow Step 15

Step 14

Place the remaining back fabric on top of pillow front with bottom edges aligned, right sides together. Clip together.

Kids Reading Pillow Step 16

Step 15

Sew around entire pillow perimeter with ½” seam allowance.

Kids Reading Pillow Step 17

Step 16

Clip corners to reduce the bulk.

Kids Reading Pillow Step 18

Step 17

Turn the pillow cover right side out. Poke out the edges with a turning tool, chopstick or pencil.

Iron the fabric to be wrinkle free.

Kids Reading Pillow Step 19

Step 18

Insert pillow form.

Kids Reading Pillow Step 20

If you like this lap reading pillow project, be sure to Pin It to save for later!

This is just one of our pillow sewing projects. See these ideas next:

For book lovers, be sure to see these easy bookmark crafts, too:

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