Read Your Book Without Ever Having to Hold It Again with the Book Pillow!

Are you a reader? If you like books like my family and I do, you should see our home library! Books, a wonderful tool; you can learn how to do something you've always wanted to do. They can take you away from the everyday world and into wonderful places. Books can teach you the history of everything from an object to a country. There is nothing hard about picking up an book and reading it but know matter what the size of book you are reading your arms will get tired of holding it up. I have solved this problem with the Book Pillow! Yes, it's a pillow for your book. Not many know what they are or how to use them. I started make them for family members then wanted to see if they would sell and 'by george they did' and have ever since.

Now you can make your own Book Pillow, I will take you step by step, by follow these very easy directions and you'll never hold your book again!

Step 1. Supplies
You will need 5/8 yard material, one yard ribbon to match material or contrasting color, 5/8 yard piping, one package of double fold bias tape to match material or a contrasting color, and 2 packages of stuffing; and sewing machine.

Step 2. Material
There are three types of material that you can make your book pillow out of: Denim, Home Décor and Tapestry. The reason is that these are more durable than just cotton material; they will last forever. I have used all three types. The Home Décor is a nice way to go when you would like your book pillow to match your colors of a particular room. Tapestry is also nice if you have a library room or world décor.

Step 3. Cut Material
Lay your material out with it folded in half. You need to cut a square 17 x 21 inches. You now have your front and back of your book pillow. Now cut a rectangle 4 x 9 inches, this is for a pocket. Next cut 2 strips 3 x 17 inches, these are going to be your straps to hold your book open.

Step 4. Double Fold Bias Tape
Take the bias tape and cut a strip that is 5 inches long. Now take the pocket (4 x 9 inch rectangle) and slip the top in-between the bias tape fold; make sure you extend the bias tape past the edges of the pocket. You now have the top of your pocket raw edges covered with matching or contrasting colored bias tape. You need to sew the bias tape onto the pocket by stitching as close to the bias tape edge as you can, about a ¼ inch away. Now you can trim off any extra bias tape that is not sewn.

Step 5. Iron
Take the pocket (4 x 9 inch rectangle) and fold under ¼ inch on the left side and the bottom. If you are using Tapestry or Home Decor material make sure you put a towel or cheesecloth on top before you iron!

Step 6. Sew Pocket
Take your pocket you just finished with and lay it on the right side of one of the 17 x 21 inch square you have already cut. This will be the top of your book pillow. Lay the pocket about 4 inches from the bottom with the raw edges of the square and pocket together. Pin the pocket to the square; now you are going to sew the pocket on. Just don't sew the top shut or you won't have a pocket! Sew around the left side and bottom.

Step 7. Straps
Take one strap (3 x 17 inch) and fold it together all the way down. Now you have a 1 ½ x 17-inch strap; sew together. Do the same with the other strap. If you are using Tapestry material, it tends to fray so you might want to zigzag the edges to help stop fraying. Next iron the straps flat, us a towel or cheesecloth if needed.

Step 8. Sew Straps
Next take the two straps you just finished with and lay them on the top material of your book pillow. You are going to position the straps about 7 inches in from the sides of the square. Pin the top and bottom of the straps to the square. Now you are going to sew the straps to the square at the top and bottom of each, sew 5/8-inch seam.

Step 9. Ribbon
Take the ribbon and fold it in half. Place it on the top material; you are going to center the ribbon and sew it to the material at the top. The ribbon is your bookmarker.

So now you have the pocket sewn on, the straps and bookmarker sewn on the top of your book pillow.

Step 10. Piping
Now you are going to sew the piping all the way around the top material of your book pillow. You want to lay the piping so the rolled edge is facing the center of your material and let some of the piping extend out past the edge of the material. You are going to sew on the flat edge of the piping. I have found that if I use my zipper foot on my sewing machine this goes a lot faster. When you have sewn almost all the way around you will meet up with the extended piping, take it and extend the piping you are still sewing and over lap them in the form of an X and sew right through. This is a way of joining the two ends without having to cut the cording that is in the piping and trying to inset into another. That's another sewing lesson for another time.

Now you have your top material of your book pillow with the pocket, ribbon (bookmarker), two straps, and the piping sewn on.

Step 11. Sew Front and Back together
Next take the front of your book pillow and the second piece of 17 x 21 inch material (the back) and lay them together with right sides facing each other. You now have two squares with the back of the material facing you. You are now going to sew all the way around the square but leaving an opening just big enough for your hand to insert stuffing.

Again I have found that using your zigzag foot makes this a lot easier and goes faster. Go slow and make sure you don't catch the ribbon in your seam as you sew. I have done this and had to take it apart which isn't fun using Tapestry material!

Step 12. Once you have sewn all but an opening for your hand, turn the book pillow right side out. Now all that is missing is the stuffing. The tip in making a pillow without lumps is to take small pieces of stuffing and insert into the pillow. If you take large clumps of stuffing this is what makes lumps. As you are stuffing your book pillow just go-slow and make sure you get the corners real good. You can stuff as much or as little stuffing as you want.

Step 13. Sew Up Opening
Take a needle and thread and sew the opening closed that you put your hand through.

That's it; you now have a book pillow that will hold your book open. Just insert the front cover of your book under the left strap, the back cover of your book under the right strap. The ribbon is your bookmarker and the pocket is for glasses, pens, highlighter, etc. You never have to take your book out until you are finished. It will not break the binding or tear your book.

They also make wonderful conversational pieces!