DIY Body Pillow Tutorial from Leigh Laurel Studios
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Hi everyone, I have an adorable sewing project/tutorial for you today!
This super cute body pillow tutorial is from Karin at Leigh Laurel Studios. She has a lot of cute projects going on over at her blog, be sure to check them out!
Hi! I’m Karin, and I blog over at Leigh Laurel Studios. I create patterns and tutorials for sewing, embroidery, home & garden projects and crafts with kids. Balancing creativity with chasing two small children around is a common theme.
I am thrilled to have the opportunity to share this sewing project with you on Jamie’s blog! I’ve been following Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom for a while; one of my favorite patterns is her fabulous child’s apron that I made for my three-year-old daughter.
To make this body pillow cover with an envelope-style back you will need:
- 20 x 52″ body pillow insert. I found this one on a huge sale at Kohl’s for under $10.
- Pellon’s EZ Steam II or other double stick fusible web
- The font I used is Arial Rounded MT Bold, 500pt. I created this pdf for you of all 26 letters; simply download and print the pages you need.
- White cotton fabric cut to 13 x 42″
- Fabric scraps large enough for the letters, one color per letter
- Print for the back and for the front trim panels; pay attention to which direction the print goes. I used Faster by Michael Miller: (All fabric should be washed and ironed.)
-Top and bottom trim: 6 x 42″ (cut 2)
-Side trim: 21 x 6″ (cut 2)
-Back pieces: 21 x 32″ (cut 2)
Step 1: Print the letters you need from the pdf.
Using a sunny window or light box, trace the letters in reverse onto the more permanent side of the fusible web (one side comes off more easily than the other). I was able to cram five of the six letters jigsaw-puzzle style onto one sheet and the sixth one on a piece leftover from another project. Cut the letters apart, being careful not to cut too close to the lines.
Step 2: Arrange the fabric for the letters in the order you like.
Step 3: Cut pieces of the fabric large enough for each letter on fusible web. Peel off the plain backing and iron the letters onto the back of the fabric.
Step 4: Using sharp sewing shears, cut the letters carefully along the lines. Set letters aside.
Step 5: Start the pillow front. Wrong sides facing, align the top trim panel with the top of the white fabric. Pin, sew with a 1/2″ seam allowance along the top, turn and press the white side of the seam toward the print.
Step 6: Top stitch 1/8″ above the seam. Repeat steps 5 and 6 for the bottom panel, making sure to orient the fabric in the correct direction.
Step 7: Right sides facing, line the left side panel up with the left side of the body piece as shown. Pin, sew with 1/2″ seam allowance, turn and press toward the print. Topstitch from top edge to bottom edge. Repeat for right side panel.
Step 8: Arrange the letters across the center of the white panel. It helps to use a clear quilting ruler to keep them straight. Remove the paper backing and lightly stick the letters to the fabric until you’re happy with how it looks. Press and allow to cool.
Step 9: Make the envelope-style back. On the left short side of one of the back pieces, fold 1/2″. Press. Fold again 1 1/4″. Press. Pin and sew. Repeat for the right short side of the other back piece.
Step 10: Place the front piece down right-side up. Wrong side up, arrange the two back pieces on top so all four edges are lined up with the front piece. There should be a several inch overlap at the center. I turned the corner down so you can see the overlap. Pin along all sides, placing a pin or two in the center to help hold the fabric in place while you sew. Sew around the perimeter of the entire pillow cover with a 1/2″ seam allowance.
Step 11: Remove pins, turn cover through the envelope opening in the back and press.
Step 12: Insert body pillow and you’re all done!
Note: If you plan on washing your cover frequently, you might want to consider doing a zigzag stitch around each letter before sewing the back and front together.
At 20 months old, Colton isn’t quite as big as the pillow yet. I have a similar pillow in the works for my daughter, so she can retaliate. Let the snuggle wrestling and pillow fights begin!
An embroidered pillow made from a family portrait drawn by my daughter, washable bean bags for hula hoop ring toss, a pattern for turning an ordinary bear into Super Bear, and a little dog embroidery pattern.
xo Karin
