Road Trip Pillow Bag Sewing Tutorial

With school holidays coming up, lots of trips (especially road trips) are in full planning mode! We have the perfect little project to keep your little ones comfy as well as giving them a place to store their road trip necessities. We used the Nest collection by Lella Boutique for Moda Fabrics for our bag but you can put your own creative twist on it! Here’s what you’ll need to get started:

Supplies:

• 7/8 yard of main print (SKU# 5062-15)
• 1/2 yard of accent print (SKU# 5066-16)
• 1 spool of 50wt Aurifil Thread (50wt Aurifil Light Grey Turquoise)
• 12″ x 16″ Pillow Form

Cutting:

• Main Print –
  • 2 – 13 1/2” x 15 1/2” rectangles (bag background)
  • 1 – 13 1/2” x 16 1/2” rectangle (pocket)
• Accent Print –
  • 2 – 4” x 13 1/2” rectangles (inside cuff)
  • 2 – 4” x 7 1/2” rectangles (handles)
  • 2 – 3 1/2” x 13 1/2” rectangles (outside cuff)

Instructions:

1) Fold the 4” x 7 1/2” accent rectangles in half, lengthwise. Press.

2) Open and fold each edge in to meet the fold mark in the middle. Fold in half again. Press. Topstitch 1/8” away from edge on both sides of the Handle Unit.

3) Pin a handle to the right side of a 3 1/2” x 13 1/2” accent print rectangle. Measure a 2” gap between the inside edges of the handle, and 4 3/4” from each side. Pin in place.

4) Using a 1/8” seam, sew the handles to the 3 1/2” x 13 1/2” accent print rectangle. Repeat with the other handle.

5) With right sides facing, layer the outside cuff and the 4” x 13 1/2” accent print rectangle matching raw edges. Sew along raw edge using a 1/4” seam.

6) Fold up the bottom edge of the cuff unit 3/8” to create a finished edge. We recommend using Clover’s Hot Hemmer to get a really precise edge. Repeat for the other bag handle.

7) Fold the 13 1/2” x 16 1/2” main print rectangle in half along the long edge to create the book pocket.

8) With right sides facing, layer the folded pocket between the 13 1/2” x 15 1/2” main print rectangles matching raw edges. Sew along the bottom edge of the bag using a 1/4” seam.

9) With right sides facing, layer a cuff unit and the main bag unit. Make sure to match the raw edge of the outside cuff unit to the main bag edge.

10) Sew along the raw edge using a 1/4” seam. Press toward the cuff.

11) Pin the finished edge of the cuff to the bag unit and sew along the edge.

12) Finish the cuff and handles off with a top stitch right below the open edge and the seam between the cuff and the main bag unit.

13) Repeat on both cuff edges.

14) Sew along the left and right edges using a 1/4” seam. Backstitch at beginning and end. To help finish off the inside of the bag use a zig zag stitch along the raw edges. Backstitch at beginning and end.

And that’s it! You now have yourself a super cute Road Trip Pillow Bag, perfect for taking on your next trip. We hope you decide to make your own Road Trip Pillow Bag and if you do, be sure to hashtag #RoadTripPillowBag so we can see and share your work. Happy quilting!

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