DIY: Make a Darling Dreidel-Shaped Pillow With a Pocket for Surprises
Give every room in your home a festive touch this Hanukkah with this simple sewing project
Throw pillows are one of the simplest ways to add color or pattern to your home. This Hanukkah, try your hand at making these sweet and festive dreidel-shaped pillows, which you’ll want to place all around the house. Fill the pocket with little treats and small gifts, and when the holiday is over, simply remove the pillow insert and store the pillow cover flat until next year.
Placing Hanukkah decor in bedrooms is a great way to fill the entire house with holiday cheer. This handmade pillow is an adorable addition to any child’s bed. Just don’t forget to make enough for every bed in the house!
Pillow covers are one of the first projects generally attempted by new or beginning sewers, and this envelope-style pillow cover doesn’t require a zipper, which makes it even simpler. While the dreidel shape isn’t as simple to sew as a standard square, the technique is similar, and it’s a great project to help develop sewing skills.
The pocket closure is positioned near the top of the pillow and designed with significant overlap to prevent if from bowing. If you’d prefer a super quick project, you can omit the front pocket and use the pocket closure on the back of the pillow as a place to insert treats and small gifts.
The pocket closure is positioned near the top of the pillow and designed with significant overlap to prevent if from bowing. If you’d prefer a super quick project, you can omit the front pocket and use the pocket closure on the back of the pillow as a place to insert treats and small gifts.
What You’ll Need
- Pillow form, 14 by 14 inches (35.5 by 35.5 centimeters)
- Small amount of polyfill stuffing
- 2/3 yard (2/3 meter) solid color fabric (mine is actually a sheet), prewashed for shrinkage
- One 12-by-12-inch (30.5-by-30.5-centimeter) square of patterned coordinating fabric, prewashed for shrinkage
- Coordinating ribbon
- Semi-transparent paper, such as tracing paper, vellum or parchment paper
- Quilter’s ruler and cutting mat
- Rotary cutter
- Straight pins
- Scissors
Making the Pattern
1. There are three panels in this pattern, A, B and C, and the same pattern is used for each. The measurements of the panel and those of the pocket are provided here. These measurements do not include seam allowance, which can be from ½ inch to 1 inch wide. I choose to use a seam allowance of 1 inch as it is more forgiving for a beginning sewer.
1. There are three panels in this pattern, A, B and C, and the same pattern is used for each. The measurements of the panel and those of the pocket are provided here. These measurements do not include seam allowance, which can be from ½ inch to 1 inch wide. I choose to use a seam allowance of 1 inch as it is more forgiving for a beginning sewer.
2. Make a pattern from your semi-transparent paper. Using a gridded quilter’s ruler, which allows you to easily draw 90-degree angles, and a pencil, create the pattern following the measurements provided. You will also need to make a pattern for the cover. Cut out the pattern using a ruler and rotary cutter.
Note: When you use semi-transparent paper, you can easily revise your pattern by simply tracing over it with a new sheet of paper. The pattern shown here is a revised, cleaned-up version of the original.
Note: When you use semi-transparent paper, you can easily revise your pattern by simply tracing over it with a new sheet of paper. The pattern shown here is a revised, cleaned-up version of the original.
Cut the Pillow Cover Panels
1. Start by pinning the pattern to a double layer of solid-color fabric. Make sure that the fabric’s selvage is running vertically through the pattern and that both layers of fabric are completely flat with no pronounced wrinkles.
2. Using a quilter’s ruler and a rotary blade, cut around the pattern, leaving a 1-inch seam allowance on all sides. Remove the pattern and separate the two layers. Use your pattern to cut a third panel with the same seam allowance.
3. Remove the indicated portions from panels B and C, using a ruler and a rotary cutter to make the cuts. Hem the cut edge on each of these panels. To make a neat hem, fold the edge over by ¼ inch and press it in place with a hot iron. Then fold the edge over on itself by another ¼ inch, press again and stitch it in place.
1. Start by pinning the pattern to a double layer of solid-color fabric. Make sure that the fabric’s selvage is running vertically through the pattern and that both layers of fabric are completely flat with no pronounced wrinkles.
2. Using a quilter’s ruler and a rotary blade, cut around the pattern, leaving a 1-inch seam allowance on all sides. Remove the pattern and separate the two layers. Use your pattern to cut a third panel with the same seam allowance.
3. Remove the indicated portions from panels B and C, using a ruler and a rotary cutter to make the cuts. Hem the cut edge on each of these panels. To make a neat hem, fold the edge over by ¼ inch and press it in place with a hot iron. Then fold the edge over on itself by another ¼ inch, press again and stitch it in place.
Make the Pocket
1. Make a pattern according to the measurements provided. Pin the pattern to the pocket fabric and cut out the pocket panel, leaving a 1-inch seam allowance all around.
Note: If your fabric is patterned, using semi-translucent paper such as the parchment paper I used makes it easy to see where you’re placing the pattern and allows you to place it directly on the part of the fabric you want as the center of the pocket.
1. Make a pattern according to the measurements provided. Pin the pattern to the pocket fabric and cut out the pocket panel, leaving a 1-inch seam allowance all around.
Note: If your fabric is patterned, using semi-translucent paper such as the parchment paper I used makes it easy to see where you’re placing the pattern and allows you to place it directly on the part of the fabric you want as the center of the pocket.
2. Press under the seams on each side, starting with the bottom and then moving to the sides and then the top. Hem the top of the pocket.
For the best results, keep the pattern pinned to the wrong side of the fabric and use it as a guide when pressing. Remove the pattern afterward.
For the best results, keep the pattern pinned to the wrong side of the fabric and use it as a guide when pressing. Remove the pattern afterward.
3. Pin the pocket to the front of panel A so it is 4 inches (10 cm) from the top, making sure it is straight and centered. Sew around the vertical and angled sides of the pocket to attach it securely to the panel. For a more decorative approach, sew around the pocket twice to give it the look of the double-needle finish seen on jean pockets.
Sew the Panels Together
Make a sandwich of the three panels as follows: Place panel A on the work surface, right side up. Place panel B on top of panel A with the right side down. Place panel C on top of panel B, right side down. Pin the three layers together, making sure that the points and the neck of the dreidel all line up. Sew all the way around the perimeter using a 1-inch seam allowance.
Remove all pins and trim excess threads.
Sew the Panels Together
Make a sandwich of the three panels as follows: Place panel A on the work surface, right side up. Place panel B on top of panel A with the right side down. Place panel C on top of panel B, right side down. Pin the three layers together, making sure that the points and the neck of the dreidel all line up. Sew all the way around the perimeter using a 1-inch seam allowance.
Remove all pins and trim excess threads.
Finishing the Project
1. Before turning pillow right side out, clip the corners and cut slits on either side of the neck as indicated by the white dotted line in the photo. Clip as close to the seam as possible to avoid buckling in this area.
Note: For the most professional results, iron on a square of interfacing in the areas indicated by a dashed line on both panels A and C before sewing. With the extra stability provided by the interfacing, you can then clip even closer to the seam, up to 1 millimeter, for the best results.
2. Turn pillow cover right side out and poke out the corners with a knitting needle or skewer so they’re fully extended. Stuff the triangular bottom point and the neck of the dreidel with polyfill and insert your pillow form in the center.
1. Before turning pillow right side out, clip the corners and cut slits on either side of the neck as indicated by the white dotted line in the photo. Clip as close to the seam as possible to avoid buckling in this area.
Note: For the most professional results, iron on a square of interfacing in the areas indicated by a dashed line on both panels A and C before sewing. With the extra stability provided by the interfacing, you can then clip even closer to the seam, up to 1 millimeter, for the best results.
2. Turn pillow cover right side out and poke out the corners with a knitting needle or skewer so they’re fully extended. Stuff the triangular bottom point and the neck of the dreidel with polyfill and insert your pillow form in the center.
3. Tie a ribbon around the pillow’s neck as a final decorative touch.
There are many ways to personalize this pillow, so feel free to get creative. You can omit the pocket altogether or add a flap or a decorative applique to it. Another option is to divide the front panel of the pillow into four pieces and use a different fabric for each quarter. Finally, think about adding some beads or little holiday charms to the ends of the ribbon.
More: Decorating and DIY ideas in the Houzz Hanukkah section
More: Decorating and DIY ideas in the Houzz Hanukkah section