One of our most popular presents with the little people has been the mini pillow.

It has been a real hit. Its popularity continues to surprise me.  So, when we were invited to the birthday of one of our school friends, I knew what I would make.

Mini Pillow Present

Supplies:

• one 12″ x 16″ pillow insert
• main fabric  two 13″ x 22″ pieces, one for the front and one for the back. Or one 13″ x 44″
• contrasting fabric 6″ x 27″
• thread

Tools:

• sewing machine
• pins
• sewing scissors
• ruler

Start with this pillow. 12 x 16
You could get them from Jo-Ann. At this very minute, they are on sale for $7.19

Cut the main fabric 13 x 45 (I used 1/2 inch seam allowances throughout)
Cut a strip 6 x 27 for the contrast hem.

1. Sew one long side of the main fabric. Press the seam to one side. (set that aside)

2. Turn under 1/2 inch on one long side of the contrast fabric, and sew that down.

3. Pin the contrast strip to the “top” of the main fabric right sides together. Sew seam. Press.

4. Turn the case inside out and sew the long seam, through the main fabric, and the contrast fabric. (At this point it is a very long tube.)

5. Next, fold the contrast fabric to the inside, and press. Then stitch the hem in place 5″ in from the end. This will serve to hold the contrast fabric in place.

The pillow case is shown here in Anna Maria Horner fabric: Innocent Crush.
Innocent Crush Red.   Jimmy Beans Wool.

My formula is to have 5 extra inches at the open end of the case. So if you need to adjust the math for a different size pillow, just use that 5 inches as a guideline.
The other little shocker is that a fat quarter is not quite enough. So if you think that you can just whip one of these out of your stash, it may turn into a bit of a piecing project. And sometimes, that is more than you want.