Easy Rag-time Baby Pillow with Initial

by Hannan Lambert
(St. Lina, Alberta, Canada)

Cute and Frayed

1. Select a fun flannel from you stash for the body of the pillow. Also select a contrasting color for the letter you will sew on the front.
2. For the letter, you can use craft felt, denim or another fabric of your choice.
3. Cut fabric to the desired size with RIGHT sides OUT and wrong sides together. Be sure to allow for approx ¾” seam allowance.
4. Using a word processing program select a font and the letter you want. Increase the size to a size that will fit onto your pillow. Print and cut out the letter.
5. Place paper cut out onto the fabric you picked for the letter. Make sure you orientate it properly so that when you flip the fabric to the RIGHT side, the letter is correctly positioned.
6. Center or orientate the letter on one piece (which in the front) of the pillow. You can baste this in place to help you when sewing. Or use a heat-bonding product between the letter and the pillow fabric and iron it down. It will now stay in place while you sew.
7. Sew around the edge of the letter. You can use an appliqué stitch, zig zag stitch or a straight stitch. OR if you prefer, you can hand stitch it with embroidery thread. GET CREATIVE!
8. Once the letter is sewn in place clean up any thread ends. Place the front and back of the pillow together, WRONG SIDES together and pin in place.
9. Starting approximately 2/3rds of the way down on one side begin sewing leaving the ¾ inch seam allowance. Continue to sew around the entire pillow leaving an opening in the side you began on.
10. Using sharp scissors or fabric snips, snip the edges (seam allowance) approx every ¼ inch. DO NOT cut through your seam. Do this all the way around the pillow.
11. Stuff your pillow beginning with the far corners and working your way toward the opening. Stuff the closer corners well.
12. Pin and sew your opening shut.
13. To get frayed or worn edges, the pillow should now be washed and dried.

*NOTE* If you think that your stuffing will get lumpy after washing, then wash the casing first to fray the edges. Press, stuff and sew shut.

*NOTE* It is not recommended to have soft items such as pillows and stuffed animals in the crib with a sleeping baby. Always remove these items before putting baby to sleep.
These decorative pillows look great on a chair, rocking chair or atop the dresser. Enjoy.