Throw pillow AND extra storage. Who could ask for more? Tutorial included.

[Lizzle]

I made these a while ago for my litle cousin (10 years old) and am finally posting them up here.  I haven't seen these around Craftster before, and I think that the idea is original, so I'm including a tutorial in case anyone else wants to make them.



My cousin's room is always sort of overrun with stuff (like most little kids) and I figured that she could use a little bit of unique, stylish storage.  Instead of having her extra blankets lying around on the floor, I figured they could be incorporated into the decor.  This could also work really well in guest rooms or in the living room in case you get chilly while you're watching TV.

What you need is a bit of extra fleece fabric and a lap-sized throw blanket.  I used pink leopard print because it goes with her bedroom, but you could use something much more mature/subdued if you aren't making them for a 10-year-old.  I used about 1/2 yard for each, but it really depends what size blanket you want to turn into a pillow.  Roll the blanket up tightly jellyroll style.  Then take the fleece fabric and wrap it around the rolled up blanket.  Tie off both of the ends with thin strips (about 1 inch wide, maybe 1.5 inches) and voila, a roll pillow!  If you want to get the blanket out, it's really easy: just untie the ends.  You can roll it all back up and tie it again when you're finished.

Happy crafting!

[WIPs]

Hey! I like that idea! That's really cool!

I'm going to try to go to Joann's to get me some fleece!

[bookstorebabe]

I saw something similar once where you used the leg of a pair of jeans,and tied it off with a pony tail elastic at each end. Not as practical as yours-it wouldn't hold a blanket. I think a leg of pantyhose was stuffed with fiberfill,then slipped into the jeans leg. It wasn't as cute as the ones you made.But an alternative for a smaller sturdy bolster type pillow.
My daughter just came into the living room and dumped one of her blankets on the couch,asking where we could put it! I might have to try your idea.Thanks!

[spaghetti]

I'm in the process of moving (ugh) into a place with far less storage space (double ugh).  I think that most of my sheets and blankets are going to become pillows -- thanks for the awesome idea!

[Zylo]

I thought this was a cute idea until I really thought about the applications involved. I need pillows and extra storage. My mind is reeling with all the things I could stuff pillows with now. I wanted to use things as stuffing without it being permanent or too hard to unstuff. This is perfect.

[gannon]

What a neat idea.  Our school action group is looking for a nursing home project-- this might be perfect for them!

[Lizzle]

I think it would be a great project for the nursing home!  It's pretty much instant gratification.

[LOaccidentallyVE]

Hey, that is a really good idea! I might just use that for my blankets. :]

[sweetdandies]

Wow! Thanks for the great idea!