Trying to find new ways to give a gift to someone can be difficult sometimes.  But I think I found the perfect way to give a very special Valentine’s gift to someone.  This is not only a unique way to wrap a gift, but it’s also something to add to your Valentine home decor.

This is the Secret Pocket Pillow:

This was made for a young lady who loves pillows.  I wanted it to be something special for her.  And it will hold a Valentine’s gift in a secret pocket on the back.

I started by making the pattern for the pillow.  As usual, I used brown wrapping paper for the pattern.   I cut a 15 1/2″ square from the paper.  Then I folded the paper in half diagonally.  I used the bottom of the fold for the bottom of the pattern & sketched out a heart shape at the top of the pattern.

          

After I had the shape that I liked, I cut it out.  I opened it several times to see if I liked the finished result, trimming where I thought it needed it.  I did find out that it’s easier to sew if you don’t cut a sharp ‘V’ at the center of the top.  Make a slight curve instead of a V.

   

Lay the pattern on your fabrics.  I used a red crushed velor for one side & a cherub pattern for the other side.  Pin the pattern in place & cut out the fabric.

 

Now you have the base for the secret pocket.

The next step is to take more fabric & match the pattern with the base piece.  This will be the pocket.

Fold over the fabric where you want to make the pattern match.  (The place that you fold over will determine how deep the pocket will be.)  This part wastes a lot of fabric, but it’s worth it in the end. Once you have the patterns matched up, pin them in place to keep the match stable.  After you’ve pinned the patterns in place, press the pocket fold.

    

Once the fabric is pressed, pin the fabric around the line of the base fabric.  Again, this is to make sure that it stays in place for cutting.  Cut off the excess fabric around the heart shape.

         

Remove the pocket piece from the pillow base & turn over.  As you can see, there’s a lot of fabric that needs cut off.

Trim off the excess fabric, leaving about an inch.

Press under the fabric to make the pocket hem.

Instead of sewing the hem in place, I used Heat n Bond hem tape.  I didn’t want to ruin the ‘secret’ with stitching.  Follow the directions on the package & press to seal.

This the the front of the pocket.  No stitching to reveal the pocket top.

Pin the pocket to the base of the pillow.  Add pins to the top of the pocket to keep the patterns in place.  Baste stitch the pocket to the pillow base.

Back stitch over the pocket top to reinforce it.

One side done.  Now is the time to decorate the other side if you so choose.  You can make it as elaborate or as simple as you want to.  I kept it simple by adding an iron on applique.

 

Once you’re done with the second side, place both pillow pieces together, right sides facing each other.  Stitch around the pillow about 1/4″ in from the baste stitches, back stitching over the pocket top to reinforce it.  Make sure you leave an opening on the side of the pillow so you can turn it right side out when you’re done sewing.

Clip off excess fabric at the bottom V & make a couple of slits in the fabric at the top V.  Don’t cut too close to the stitching.

Turn the pillow right side out, fill it with polyester fiber fill & use a ladder stitch to close the seam.  A ladder stitch is virtually invisible once the stitches are pulled tight.  Knot the thread & you’re done.

The finished front:

Finished ‘secret pocket’ side.  You can see how it holds a card or gift.

And the pillow in place.

The larger heart pillows were made with an 18″ square pattern.

Happy Creating everyone!

And Happy Valentine’s Day.

I’ll be joining:

Create With Joy for Friendship Friday Blog Party 159