Pillow Bed

Pillow Bed

Difficulty Level = Beginner

This tutorial will teach you how to make a pillow bed. I chose to make the cases envelope style so that you can easily remove the pillows for washing, but they won’t fall out like they would with a traditional style pillowcase. There are also handles for easy carrying!

Our Facebook group is a great place to get help, share your tips and creations! We are a friendly bunch, and we love to help and see what you have made.

Please read the full instructions before getting started.

Wash, dry, and press your fabric before starting your project. A bit of prep now prevents shrinking and means your garment will stay the same size you made it.

Never leave a child or baby unattended or allow to sleep in a garment made from one of our patterns with ties, snaps, buttons, or anything they could remove, choke on, or get caught on. Always use caution if you are unsure. We love our patterns, but we love your bundles of joy more!

Size Range

Craft

What You’ll Need

• 4 yards of woven fabric (I chose 4 different coordinating prints and a solid white for the back)
• 4 standard sized pillows
• Coordinating thread
• A small handful of poly-fill (for optional puffy bow)
• Iron
• Sewing machine
• Cutting mat and rotary cutter, or scissors

Settings

The pattern is a separate download. Choose either the US letter paper, A4 paper, or A0 paper size based on the printer you wish to use. If you are in the US or Canada then your printer will likely use US letter paper. Other regions normally use A4 paper. Some people prefer to print their patterns at a print shop: A0 is best in this case.

Print at 100%.

On the second page, you will find a 1-inch and a 3-inch square test box. Print this page first, on its own, and measure these squares.

Once you are happy that the test box is accurate, print the rest of the pattern pages.

Please follow this video for information and assistance on assembling this pattern.

Also, please note that some Rebecca Page patterns and projects also come with cut files and a printable design page which you can use to plan your project if you wish. These are provided in a separate section below to avoid any confusion! 

Cut each of the pieces according to the directions on the pattern piece. Seam allowances are all included so just cut them as is.

Cutting Charts – All pattern pieces are included, however if you prefer to cut using a cutting chart, the dimensions for the rectangular pieces (in INCHES) are below:

If you want to do the pieced cover (the first pillow in the cover photo which has stripes of fabric on it), this makes up one of the front pieces. So, you would cut the pieced cover pieces, all 8 back pieces, but only 3 front pieces.

If you don’t want to do the pieced cover (you want each pillow to be one solid color), then cut 4 front and 8 back pieces.

⅜ inch seam allowance included

Preparation

Pieced cover – If you want to do the pieced cover, sew the two middle pieces together, and then sew the outer pieces on either side of the now joined middle pieces. Finish seams and press them to the right.

Puffy Bow – Place the outer pieces right sides together and pin. Starting in the middle of one of the long edges, sew around the entire bow leaving a 2 inch gap for turning and stuffing. Clip corners and turn right side out. Stuff full with poly-fill. Sew the opening closed. For the bow center, I suggest a stretchy knit or elastic so that I could get it over the stuffed bow. Fold bow center in half right sides together, pin, and sew along the long edge. Turn right side out and move the seam to the center and press flat. With the seam facing down match the short ends, pin and sew. Turn right side out and stretch it over the main bow so that it is in the center.

Construction –

1. Press one of the handle pieces in half lengthwise wrong sides together. Then, open the fabric back up with the wrong side facing up. Next press each of the long edges toward the crease that you have just created so that they meet in the middle. Now, press it in half again lengthwise. Sew ⅛ inch from the edge on both long sides. Repeat with the other handle and set handles aside.
2. Place the top front section right side up and place the next section right side down on top of it. Pin and sew together along the bottom edge. Using the same method, attach the remaining front sections together. Finish the seams and press them down.  Set aside.
3. Each of the back sections will be made of two pieces to create an envelope style cover. Using the same method used in step 2, sew four of the back-section pieces together, finish the seams and press them up this time. Repeat with the remaining four back section pieces. Now, hem the right side of one of the strips by pressing the edge to the wrong side ½ inch and then pressing it another ½ inch so that the raw edge is enclosed in the fold. Sew ⅛ inch from the top edge of the fold. Now hem the left side of the remaining strip of back section pieces using the same method.
4. Place the front of the pillow bed right side up and place the left back section strip right side down on top of it matching up the raw edges. Now, carefully match the seams, pin and sew. Repeat with the right back section piece and finish the seams.
5. Find the center of top section of the front of the pillow bed and mark with a pin. Measure 1.5 inch from each side of the pin and mark each one with a pin. Line up one of the raw edges of the handle with the top of the section of the pillow bed where you placed the pin on the left. Pin in place. Now repeat with the other end of the handle with the pin on the right side. Baste the handle in place. Use the same method to attach the remaining handle to the bottom of the pillow bed.
6. With the pillow bed right side up, fold the left back section piece so that it is right sides together with the front section of the pillow bed. Pin in place along the top and bottom. Repeat with the right back section piece (the hemmed edges of the back sections pieces should overlap), sew and finish the seams.
7. Turn the bed right side out and press well. Pin the front to the back along the seams between each section. It is important to make sure they the seams are lined up well. Now stitch in the ditch along each of the three dividing seams.
8. If you want to add the puffy bow, tack it in place at the base of the top handle.
9. Insert the pillows and give it to a child or pet to enjoy!

Congratulations, your Pillow Bed is done. Enjoy! 

We would love to hear how you got on and see photos of your finished project!

Join us at our Facebook Group, tag us on Instagram, or use the hashtag #rppillowbed.

Thank you for using a Rebecca Page pattern.

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