The Picture Pocket Pillow: Tutorial

Happy Monday, everyone! I am part of the Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom’s holiday sewing blog tour today and I want to show you how I created these adorable picture pocket pillows.
It was 6 years ago that my mother-in-law gifted us an adorable pillow that I believe she bought at a craft show.  I thought it was so neat how you could store your current favorite photo or Christmas card in the front pocket and change it out every year.
(we still keep the same photo in it… Ethan’s first Christmas)
 
I haven’t seen these in stores and we have been wanting more, so I figured, why not make some, right?
 
 
Here is what you will need:
*pillow covers 
*trims like bias tape, ric rac, poms, etc
*clear vinyl
*fabric for the background
*jingle bells
I whipped up 2 envelope-style pillow covers.  There are a ton of tutorials out there in blog world or you can pick up pillow covers from stores like Target, Home Goods, etc.
 
I wanted my 18 x 18 pillow cover to be able to fit a 5×7 photo.  I cut out two red pieces of fabric measuring 8×10 and the vinyl is 6×8.  You can adjust this to fit whatever size you prefer!
Sew the trim of your choice to the perimeter of the vinyl.  
(do it nicer than I have shown here, haa)
Cut out 2 pieces for your fabric background.
On one of the fabric background pieces, sew your vinyl rectangle on.  Only sew the two sides and the bottom.  Leave the top open.
With right sides together, sew the fabric background together with 1/4 inch seam, leaving a small opening.  Clip corners.
Turn the fabric right side out and press the seams well with an iron.
Topstitch.
 Sew button holes to all 4 corners.
Find the middle of your pillow cover and lay your fabric background over top.  Using a fabric pen, mark where the buttonholes are.
Remove the fabric background.
Using thread or embroidery thread, sew all 4 jingle bells on where you indicated with the fabric pen.
Secure your fabric background onto the jingle bells through the buttonholes, just like you would with buttons!
So easy and cute!
Now, you can store your current Christmas photos or cards in the pockets or even use it as a pocket for a giftable ornament.  
This would make a cute way to give a gift!
Just be aware that a 4 year old child might think it is fun to remove all of the covers and undo all of the button holes and hide your pockets.  Just to let you know….
 
 
Thanks so much for having me Jamie!  I have had so much fun looking through all of the other bloggers’ posts. 
  
Just yesterday, Sumo’s Sweet Stuff posted this adorable felt banner
and stay tuned because SewVery will be sharing these ornaments tomorrow!
 
 
Hayley
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Hayley

Hayley Crouse is a wife, mother and multifaceted designer. Her love of sewing, crafting, cooking and interior design infuses her daily life and naturally spills over into her online presence. She pushes the envelope of her creativity and hopes that others will be inspired to do the same. She currently authors the Welcome to the Mouse House Blog, is the pattern designer behind Mouse House Creations and is a collaborative designer with Willow & Co. Patterns.
Hayley
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3 Responses to The Picture Pocket Pillow: Tutorial

  1. Jamie Sanders December 12, 2013 at 4:37 am #

    These really are just too cute – and so creative! Thanks for participating in the Holiday sewing tour!
    ~Jamie

  2. ShirleyC December 27, 2013 at 9:00 pm #

    These are so festive! I used the button on patch idea years ago for my grandson on a jonjon. I made one side for Thanksgiving and one side for Christmas.

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  1. Picture Pocket Pillow | scatteredthoughtsofacraftymom.com - November 30, 2015

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