FREE Penny Pocket Pillow Pattern | Sew Simple Home
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FREE Penny Pocket Pillow Pattern

I have been teaching sewing lessons for over 12 years now.  I love to teach newbie sewists how to use their machine and start creating.  

One of my favorite patterns that I introduce my students to is the Penny Pocket Pillow Pattern.  

This pillow is the perfect beginner sewing project and almost all my students ask to make one.Pocket Pillow Pattern
This post contains affiliate links to products I recommend.  I do make a portion off any you may purchase.  See full disclosure here.


  We love a good pocket pillow and the Penny pillow is the perfect easy pillow pattern.  

The directions include how to make a single or double pocket for holding a large book or two small pockets for toys or even a cell phone.  You might even turn it into a tooth fairy pillow for those lost teeth.

This is a super fast and fun sewing projects for both kids and adults.

Pocket Pillow Pattern


Plus, you can hide your treasures, stash your books, or just lay down and relax.  This pillow can do all three! 

You are going to love this pocket pillow pattern so much!!


Pocket Pillow Pattern

How to Sew a Pocket Pillow Pattern



Materials Needed

  • Penny Pocket Pillow Pattern - get the free pattern at the end of the post
  • 1/2 yard cotton fabric
  • 1/4 yd contrasting fabric - for the pocket
  • Poly Fiber Fil
  • Thread

Measuring Your Fabric
This pattern comes in 3 sizes:  Small, Medium and large.  Get the free PDF pattern at the end of the post.




printable reading pillow pattern

Step 1
Take pocket piece, fold one of the long edges towards the wrong side of the fabric 1/4" and then again, another 1/4". 

Stitch across the folded edge.



free pocket pillow pattern  free pocket pillow pattern
Step 2
Place one of the pillow pieces on a flat surface with right side up. Place the pocket piece onto the pillow piece also right side up. 

Match the bottom  straight seams. Stitch across the bottom straight edge to attach the pocket to the pillow at 1/4".

You can leave the pocket as one large pocket, or you can stitch down the middle to make two smaller pockets.




printable reading pillow pattern  printable reading pillow pattern
Step 3
With right sides together, place the opposite pillow piece over the pillow pocket. 

Stitch around the entire pillow, leaving a 3 inch opening on the bottom to add the stuffing. 

Clip all your corners and turn the pillow right side out.




  free pocket pillow pattern
Step 4
Use fiberfill to stuff your pocket pillow pattern to desired fullness. More filling makes a firmer pillow.

If you aren't sure you want to stuff a pillow, think about making the pocket pillow as an envelope pillow.  It can be removed and be washed or changed each season.




 reading pillow pattern pdf
Step 5
Handstitch the opening on the bottom of the pillow closed. You can use a whipstitch or a slipstitch which is what I do.






reading pillow pattern pdf


Congratulations!  You've sewn up your first pocket pillow pattern!!  See how easy this project is.  

My students seriously love this pattern so much.  In fact, most of the pillows pictured here are the  adorable pillows they've sewn up over the years.

How about a few more pillow projects?  Check out our Kissy Lip Pillow or the Mermaid Pillow.


printable reading pillow pattern


I hope you'll enjoy making your own simple pocket pillow with this tutorial.

Want the free printable reading pillow pattern?  Simply click the button below to download the pattern.





Use this free simple pocket pillow pattern to sew your own single or double pocket pillow.