If you read a lot, this project is perfect for you: sew a reading bone! What is that? This is a bone-shaped neck pillow that can be used in a variety of ways. Just read on! This project is absolutely suitable for beginners. Then dare! Why not sew a comfortable neck pillow for your mom for Mother's Day?
How do you use a reading bone?
Quite a few people have the dream of having their own library where they can retreat. Unfortunately, this wish fails simply because there is not enough space within your own four walls. A small reading corner is often a nice compromise solution. A comfortable armchair with a shelf for your feet, a side table, a floor lamp with a movable head, a bookshelf on the wall - the reading corner should radiate a lot of coziness. To make it really comfortable, a small neck pillow is missing.
The pillow provides support in at least three different positions: as an accountant pillow, wedge pillow or neck pillow. As perfect back support, the bone allows you to sit upright in bed or on the sofa. Very comfortable for reading or watching TV.
The bone prevents tension in the neck and also offers great protection against sore knees as a knee pillow. The bone is a great support for books and tablets. If you don't want to hold a thick book in your hand all the time, just lean the book.
Since the reading bones look great, they are also perfect as decorative cushions on the sofa in the living room. The design is very individual and can of course also be a nice homemade gift for bookworms.
Your questions answered and explained!
How big is a reading bone?The standard reading bone is 40 cm long and 20 cm high. The dimensions can of course vary individually. For example 45 cm long and 22 cm high. The size 38 cm x 25 cm is also welcome.
How much material do I need for one bone?You can use three different fabrics for each side, but they should also harmonize well with each other. For example: 50 cm x 35 cm plain cotton fabric, 50 cm x 35 cm cotton fabric with a geometric pattern and 50 cm x 35 cm cotton fabric with flowers. So about 3 pieces of fabric measuring 50 cm x 35 cm or one large piece – 1.50 m.
It is best for beginners to use cotton fabrics. If you wish, you can also design one side of the pillow with a cozy fleece fabric. Fleece doesn't fray.
Patchwork bones
Are you in the mood for color and bold designs that can impress with varied patterns? Then you shouldn't miss the current patchwork trend. The term patchwork comes from English and means “patchwork”. This technique allows you to use scraps of different materials, patterns and colors that look equally good in a team. The patches are sewn together next to each other (mosaic patchwork) and on top of each other (applique) to create a new textile. If you want to create a specific motif on your pillow, you can use the applique technique.
With the patchwork reading bone you can simply sew individual scraps of fabric together according to your mood. For example: Cut 15 squares of 10x10 cm per piece of fabric and then sew them together. You need a total of 3 pieces of fabric, so 45 squares made of different fabrics.
This variant takes more time and is rather unsuitable for beginners.
Filling material
It is best to use hypoallergenic fillers. The material should not be too soft or too hard and should also maintain its shape. Synthetic fiberfill, which is usually made of 100 percent polyester, is well suited. It is very soft and the pillow remains incredibly light. This cotton can also be washed in the washing machine. A trick: you can also use a few cheap IKEA pillows as filling cotton. Simply cut it open, remove the filling material and stuff it into your pillow.
How much stuffing for reading bones?The pillow must be filled properly so that it takes the desired shape. However, be careful that if the pillow is filled too tightly, it may not be as comfortable as expected.
Reading bone with zipper
If you want, you can also add snap fasteners or a zipper to the pillow. This means the cover can be easily removed and washed. While the cover is in the washing machine, the cotton can simply be stored in a bag. By the way, there are beautiful decorative zippers on the market in every color imaginable that don't necessarily need to be hidden. Simply sew it on instead of sewing it in! With a delicate lace pattern, for example, they are an absolute eye-catcher! This means the zipper can also be in the middle of the pillow.
Sewing instructions
Material required:
- Cotton fabric (3 x 0.5 m or 1.5 m)
- Matching sewing thread
- Printable sewing pattern
- fiberfill
- Scissors, pins, tape, marker
- sewing machine
- Optional: matching color band for handles - 60 cm long and 2 cm wide
The pattern must be printed 4 times. Cut out the template and glue it together. You will then need this bone made of fabric 3x.
You can also glue fleece to all pieces of fabric and iron it in place for a few seconds.
The template is ready
Place all three fabrics on top of each other, secure the template with pins and cut. On the left and right, where the stars are marked, cut a small V out of the fabric.
Now two pieces are placed on top of each other, right sides together, and one half is sewn from V to V. Use pins to mark where you want to start and stop sewing. Normally a 1cm seam allowance is recommended.
Then fold one half of the fabric up, place the third piece of fabric on top with the right side down and sew one half from V to V again.
When sewing the third piece of fabric together, the ribbons can also be sewn in. Take the ribbon twice and place it between the fabrics - centered on a V mark, with the open ends facing outwards, loop facing inwards.
Now place the two still open sides and sew them closed. In the third seam, leave an approx. 5 cm long turning opening in the middle. Whether a
n the side or at the bottom, as you prefer.
Turn the casing over and stuff it with fiberfill until the bone is nice and turgid. Then sew the turning opening closed with a ladder stitch.
So here are the instructions again in just a few steps:
- Print out the pattern, cut it out and glue it together
- Use the template to cut 3 pieces of fabric
- Sew 2 pieces of fabric together halfway
- Sew the third piece of fabric halfway to one side
- Sew up the last open side and leave the turning opening
- turn around
- Stuff with fiberfill
- Close the turning opening
Pillow is now ready!
Alternative for books, eBooks, tablets and mobile phones
One of the advantages of the reading bone is its versatility. The pillow is ideal for many applications. There is one disadvantage: the bone is supposed to be able to hold a book and therefore has to be stuffed tightly. A neck pillow that is too hard or too soft can quickly lead to tension and pain in the neck area. But if you only want to use the reading bone as a neck support, then we have an alternative for reading: book support in a beanbag look! You can buy these online or sew them yourself. You can find detailed instructions here.
This support is also a great gift for people who like to read eBooks, as it can accommodate an e-reader just as well as a paper book. You can insert the e-reader in portrait and landscape format. In a smaller format, the bag can also be a cell phone holder. For larger devices, the cut should be individually adapted.
