We like to bring all of the grand kids something when we visit. I usually try to bring a small craft or DI Y project that will fit in my suitcase, because I have 6 of them that I have to bring, but this time I just fell in love with some pillow beds that I saw on Pinterest. I thought they would be perfect because we usually take up all of the room on the couches and the kids end up sitting on the floor to watch TV.
I figured that if I just made the cases, I would send my daughter some money to buy the pillows and that way they would already be there for me to put together when we arrived. Two of the kids are older, so I had to add an extra pillow to theirs, making it 22 pillows to buy. My daughter said that she could feel people looking at her strangely when she was trying to shove all of the pillows in her shopping cart and again when trying to fit them all into her vehicle.
She stored the pillows in the basement until I got there. The kids kept asking her what all of the pillows were for and didn’t understand why they couldn’t use them.
So, here are the materials I used and what I did to make 5 pillow beds:
Materials for each toddler bed:
4 pillows
2 yards of material
2 yards of scrap material at least 8 inches wide
Matching thread
Coordinating ribbon
Materials for each youth bed:
5 pillows
2 1/2 yards of material
2 1/2 yards of scrap material at least 8 inches wide
Matching thread
Coordinating ribbon
I measured my pillows and found that each pillow pocket needed to be 22 1/2 inches wide and 17 inches high.
Because most material is only 45 inches wide, I widened it by adding an 8 inch strip of material from a sheet.
Then I laid the material out, right side up, and folded the sides over until the width was 22 1/2 inches. I made sure that the side with the scrap material sewn on was on top. I pinned and sewed both ends.
Next, I turned the whole thing right side out and pressed the seams.
As you can see, most of the scrap material is now hidden.
For the toddler beds, I folded the material in half, ironed it to make a crease, and then pinned and sewed along the crease.
For the youth bed, I measured 17 inches on one end, folded it over, ironed a crease, and then pinned and sewed along the crease. Then I folded the material, in half from the 17 inch seam, ironed a crease, and then pinned and sewed along the crease. Because the youth bed has an extra pillow, it is 17 inches longer than the toddler bed so I needed to add the extra step.
Now that you have that center seam sewn, just bring the ends of both sides to that center seam, iron crease, pin and sew.
This will give you 4 equal pockets, 5 for the bigger bed, to hold the pillows.
If you want to, you can measure out some ribbon, sew it to one end, and it can be used to tie the pillow beds up for storage. I added the ribbons to each one but I personally think that they were too long and in the way and the kids will probably end up cutting them off.
Here are all five beds completed and ready to be packed in my suitcase.
Stuffing the pillows into their compartments ended up being quite a workout but I loved the end results and so did all of the grand kids. Here are some of the kids giving them a test run.
The pillow bed was so comfy that the little one feel asleep on it.
I have found that even the pets loved the pillow beds.
Not only did the grand kids really enjoy helping me put their pillow beds together and loved laying on them, but they were thrilled to finally solve the mystery of what ALL of those pillows were for.
Linking up to:
Market yourself Monday at Sumo’s Sweet Stuff
Monday link up party at Making The World Cuter
Metamorphis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch
It’s So very creative at It’s So Very Cheri
Made by you Mondays at Skip To My Lou
Show me how at It’s a Blog Party
Organizing mission Monday at Organize With Sandy
Newbie Monday at Debbiedoo’s
A marvelous mess at Marvelously Messy
Get your craft on at Today’s Creative Blog
Tip me Tuesday at Tip Junkie
Take a look Tuesday at Sugar Bee Crafts
Sew cute Tuesday at The Creative Boutique
Show me what ya got at Not Just A Housewife
Tuesday tutorials at The Kurtz Corner
Turning the daunting into do-able at Project Queen
A Bowl Full Of Lemons
Transformation Thursday at The Shabby Creek Cottage
Hookin up party at House of Hepworths
Get your brag on at Gluesticks
Dog gone dirty craftin at Rhinestone Beagle
Frugal Friday at Shabby Nest (Thur night)
Friday flair at Whipperberry
Fridays feature at Cookie Nut
piece of cake at Quality Cheap Home
Friday fun party at Craftionary
mycraftcave
/ May 3, 2012o’ they look so comfy. such an awesome, fun gift your grandchildren will remember forever.
very nice.
Creative Lady of the House
/ May 4, 2012Thank you. The kids loved them and I didn’t feel guilty when they had to sit on the floor. It was a win win.
Erica Brooks
/ May 7, 2012Awesome. You did a great job. It’s a pretty pattern too.
Creative Lady of the House
/ May 7, 2012Thank you Erica for the kind words and for checking out my blog.
gena
/ May 7, 2012Ooooh, I like this – great idea. I was thinking for this lazy sewer, I’ll bet I could do something similar using pillow cases or shams… hmmmmm…….
thanks for sharing!
Creative Lady of the House
/ May 7, 2012Thank you. I am sure you could use pillow cases, you would just have to secure the open end somehow.
Tammy @ A Walk in the Countryside
/ May 7, 2012I would have loved these when my kids were little! Great tutorial. Thanks for sharing!
Creative Lady of the House
/ May 7, 2012Thank you.
Lorrie
/ May 7, 2012These are adorable! They look so comfortable too! Great job! I’m now a follower!
Creative Lady of the House
/ May 8, 2012Thank you Lorrie. I visited your blog it is fantastic, I am following you on Linky.
KAT
/ May 8, 2012wonderful tutorial ! I love this idea for camping too
-KAT-
Creative Lady of the House
/ May 8, 2012I think the kids may just use them to camp. Thank you for visiting my blog.
Nilda
/ May 8, 2012What a great DIY! Picking up some fabric tomorrow to make and have when grandkids visit this summer. Thank you! Great tutorial.
Creative Lady of the House
/ May 9, 2012Thank you and good luck with your pillow beds. I’m sure that your grandkids will love them as much as mine do.
TinaW
/ May 9, 2012What a fantastic project!
Creative Lady of the House
/ May 9, 2012Thank you
Angel Hands Burge
/ May 9, 2012would you be willing to make these and sell the shell part i really like them but don’t have a sewing bone in my body……
Creative Lady of the House
/ May 9, 2012Thank you for the compliment, but I don’t feel confident to sew for hire.
ARod
/ May 9, 2012awesome idea love it
Creative Lady of the House
/ May 9, 2012Thank you for checking out my blog
artistmum
/ May 9, 2012What a fabulous idea!
Creative Lady of the House
/ May 9, 2012I am so glad you visited my blog. Thank you
Vicki Newman
/ May 9, 2012Thank you for these instructions. I saw this on Pinterest where you could purchase them but I KNEW there had to be a way to make them yourself. I will try soon. My kids are all grown up but I could practice for the lucky day I have grandkids.
Creative Lady of the House
/ May 9, 2012Thank you so much for the kind words. I know that your future grandkids will love these as much as mine do
Mandy
/ May 12, 2012Thanks so much for linking up your pillow beds to Project Queen’s Link Party last week. They are wonderful! I’ll be sharing them at the Highlight Party on Monday evening.
Creative Lady of the House
/ May 13, 2012Thank you and I will be sure to check it out.
Ruth
/ May 15, 2012Great project! I might have version of this pinned already, but am pinning yours! thank you.
Creative Lady of the House
/ May 16, 2012Thank you, Ruth!
Belle
/ May 16, 2012I saw those on Pinterest too and yours turned out great. I love the fabric choice. I’d love for you to add it on my link party at: http://printabelle.com/?p=3717 Thanks!
Creative Lady of the House
/ May 17, 2012Thank you Belle. I love your name, it is my Mother’s name too.
Melissa @ Loving this {crazy} life!
/ May 17, 2012Love this idea! Thanks again for linking up to last weeks party! I have another one up and running today. Looking forward to seeing what you have to share.
http://lovingthiscrazylife-melissa.blogspot.com/2012/05/welcome-to-katie-from-quality-cheap.html
Hope you’re having a great week!
XO, Melissa
adjustablebedsandframes
/ July 24, 2012How fun! This reminds me of the time my roommates and I had a “Winter Wonderland Party” for which we bought well over 6,000 cotton balls (for our snow-filled living room, of course!) Everyone at the Target check-out likewise looked at us like we were crazy– and, to be fair, we were. This looks great though, I will keep this in mind for future family fun times!
mimmy
/ August 27, 2012oh i love love love this!!! you made it looks so simple, i’m a newbie in sewing so i avoid complicated projects, but i am so gonna make this! thanks for the idea!!
Vonnie
/ September 16, 2012I bought cheap plane pillow cases and pillows on sale at Annas linens stitched them together and put Velcro patches a the opening on each pillow so they are easy to wash. My nephews are over nearly every week end and i through them on the floor with an old sheet and blankies, they are good to go.
corinne
/ November 14, 2012Think you could make these with polar fleece?
Anthony Patchen
/ November 25, 2012Toodler beds should be as soft as possible because toddlers need stay warm and comfy. ‘
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Erin
/ December 11, 2012Has anyone tried using fleece for this? Looks like a great idea for our family movie nights every Friday! My kiddos are super snugglers and love soft fleece. Thanks for sharing! God has blessed you with amazing talent!
Erin
/ December 18, 2012I just finished three of these! Yay! I made two with flannel and one with fleece. All turned out super comfy and look great!
betty
/ March 19, 2013Grannie to 6 grandkids and 2 great grandkids I made these for Christmas this year. Good thing I started early thought I would never get them all done in time. I used twin size sheets from Wal-Mart and folded them to make the same size tubes to put the pillows in. Because they were so bulky I came up with a carrier for them. Took canvas fabric width of pillows and length enough to compress the pillow down to more manageable size. Put a fabric handle on it to make it easier to carry. Sorry don’t have measurements didn’t planning on making any more after than. But the grandkids loved them so it was worth all the effort.
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Jenn N.
/ May 2, 2013Can you tell me the name of the fabric you used I love how fun yet decorative it is 🙂
Heather Hoffman
/ July 13, 2013Great idea!!! Wish you could Youtube this instruction.
thrivingmommy
/ August 27, 2013I think i’m going to make one but with 4-5 (since i’m a shorty) body pillows just for me, they look so comfy!
Jamie
/ August 31, 2013These are so adorable, however I have never sewn anything in my life. May I ask…….is it possible for you to make two of these for me if I mail you the material and a fee, of course?
Erin
/ January 21, 2014Such a great tutorial!
Jamie, this is a link to my etsy shop. I have something similar available if you are interested.
Ester
/ December 26, 2013To make it easier to put those pillows in, put the pillowos in a plastic bag. Use you vacuum cleaner and suck the air out if the bag. I twist the end closed then slip it into your casing ( put twisted end in so that once you release it you can pull your plastic bag off the pillow and out. You can also use this method to insert cushions back in if you wash you covers. But most of the time You will end up ripping the plastic off as they ate so tight.
sheryll
/ March 7, 2014Stuffing the pillows in would have been a lot easier if you left the plastic on and slipped them in. Then rip out the plastic. I learned this hint after years of fighting the forms too!
Claire
/ October 25, 2014I made one now I have to make a larger one for a taller grand daughter! The whole family just loved them and fought over who was going to lay on it!