A lovely pillow completed

 I got the idea for this from a post on Instagram.  French General were showing off the new line of fabric and it looked like pockets on a pillow.  

This was made by the "seat of my pants".  Constructed as I went along.  Measurements for the pockets are at the bottom.  The pillow is an envelope style and the fabrics were cut 16 1/2" square.  No quilting involved.

I used three fabrics for the front.  Constellations are the pillow itself, the planets are the pockets and a band on the bottom pocket.  The lower pocket is a solid blue

This fabric was originally intended for a pocket but it just didn't look right.  Works well as a pillow insert though.

The Constellation fabric is the pillow itself.  Then the larger pocket is planets and the bottom pocket is a solid blue with a strip sewn on 2" from the fold on that pocket.  (Cut the strip 3 1/2" by 16 1/2", fold in half and press well, Open it up, fold in each side and press well, pin to the pocket and stitch in place.

Buzz Lightyear to the rescue................

This little book is very good.  I found a reading about it online before I ordered it.  Add a little bookmark however you want to make it.  Width, length???  It's up to you.  I used fusible fleece inside.

The bottom pocket will hold Rocket Candies and a McDonald's gift certificate, because what child doesn't like McDonalds.

The larger pocket was cut 16 1/2" x 20".  I fused Presto fusible interfacing to the entire back of this piece.  Then I folded in half, wrong sides together, pressed the fold well and pinned to the front of the pillow.

The small pocket was cut 16 1/2" x 12 1/2".  Same interfacing applied.  Why the whole piece?  I wanted it to have strength because children will be using them and putting things in and out.

Construction:

1. Lay your front -- right side up -- and lay the larger pocket in place lining up the bottom, pin those two bottom corners and the top of the pocket at the edge
2. Lay your smaller pocket on top of the front, and the first pocket.  Pin in place.   HINT:  Place the pins on an angle with the heads inside and not facing out.  I use long pins, but if you wanted you could use your clips to hold it.
3. Lay the two pieces for the backing, one and then the other, right side down.
4. Sew the entire perimeter of the pillow, then zig-zag around the edge.  Turn right side out and if you so desire, press.
5. Put the insert into the pillow and your gift is almost done.

The book is usually the larger item so put that in the top pocket, then add what you want.  The second pocket is up to you

One gift is done for a boy in our community.  Now the girls!!  I have one idea but there are three girls and I do need to find the right fabric.