Monster Reading Cushion

I made a few of these reading cushions as presents for my grandchildren. They loved them so much I thought I would share the steps in making them in this instructable.

Supplies

2 different patterned material, one can be plain. (min size 46cm x 46cm)

30cm zip (I only had available a 24cm, larger is preferable)

45cm x 45cm cushion pad

Tape measure

Pins and clips

Scissors and cutting wheel

Straight edge and cutting mat

Sewing machine with zipper foot attachment

Bright coloured thread and a needle

Seam ripper tool

Iron and ironing board or mat

These are the tools I use for my sewing projects, it is only recently that I have had the cutting wheel and mat. Scissors will do the job as well.

Step 1: Measure and Cut Your Fabric

Measure and cut two pieces of material from your main chosen fabric, which will be for the front and pocket, size required is 46cm x 46cm. The same size is required for the back using the other chosen fabric.

Once all three are cut out, the pocket will be folded in half as shown. Put the pocket piece to one side.

Step 2: Layout the Fabric for the Zip

Lay the back piece of fabric down face up and lay the front piece on top of it face down, as shown.

Position the zip, centred, at the top of the fabric and mark a line 1.5cm in at each end of the zip.

Step 3: Sew Seam to Prepare for the Zip

Remove the zip and sew from each edge of the fabric into the marker, shown on the image as dashed lines, at each end of the zip.

Step 4: Tacking for Zip Placement

Between each marker, by hand in bright coloured thread, stitch long tacking stitches along the dashed line shown in the image. 

Step 5: Press the Seam

Open out the fabrics and lay them face down.

Iron the seam flat.

Step 6: Positioning of the Zip

On the flat seam, position the zip face down centred on the seam.

Tape it down to secure it in place.

Step 7: Pinning the Zip in Place

Turn the fabric over and pin around the zip ensuring teeth of the zip line up with the opening where tacking is.

Remove tape on the other side.

Step 8: Sewing the Zip

Put the zipper foot in place on the sewing machine and sew the zip into place.

There is many great videos on sewing cushions with zips on youtube, which I found very helpful, just search "sewing a zip".

Step 9: Remove Tacking Stitches

Using the seam ripper tool remove the brightly coloured tacking.

Important to remember at this stage to undo zip slightly.

Step 10: Add in the Book Pocket

Lay the fabric face up with the front piece of fabric nearest to you.

Lay the pocket face up on this piece of fabric.

Fold down the back piece of fabric so it is face down over the other fabrics.

Step 11: Sew the Seams

Clip round the three sides ready for sewing up.

Replace the zipper foot on the sewing machine with the standard foot.

Sew the three sides as shown, using a 1cm seam.

Step 12: Finishing Touches

Snip the four corners and turn the cushion cover in the right way, pushing the corners out to a nice point.

Once fully out check that the pocket is on the same side as the front fabric.

Put the cushion pad into the cover.

Step 13: Your Reading Cushion Is Ready to Use

Thanks for taking the time to read my very first Instructable, I hope you enjoyed it and learnt something about the pleasure of sewing.