1 pair of Old Jeans Project #2: Kindle Reading Pillow

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     I am really super excited about this project because I had a brain storm for it all on my own and then made it happen. 
     My friend Anita teaches sewing classes to kids.  They do some amazing projects.  One of the projects that she has had them make in the past is a super cute reading pillow.  It is a pillow with a pocket for storing your book and then to lean on as you read.  As I was thinking of projects to make with my old pair of jeans, I picked up my Kindle and realized that it fit right into my front pocket!  I thought to myself that a lot of people nowadays read almost exclusively on their electronic devices and maybe I could do a play on the reading pillow for them!  This is what I came up with. 

    First of all, I had already made plans for the pockets and had cut them off of the back of the jeans.  I decided to use the front of the jeans to just above the crotch, including the side pockets and the entire waistband and the back plaquette of my jeans that was above the pockets.  If you don't have a plaquette like that, just use the waist band. 
      Next, I chose a coordinating fabric that I liked.  I chose a heavier cotton, almost a canvas so that it would go well with the sturdy denim.  
        Before doing any other steps, I turned the zipper area into a pocket where the reader can stash snacks!  

I simply stitched it inside out like this, the width that the zipper is long. Then I sewed it in at the zipper opening.

Or, if you peek in the pocket, you can see the print.

When the pocket pokes out, it looks like this. The zipper still works.

I attached the fabric to the back and sides and left an opening at the bottom for stuffing.

Here is what the back looks like when it is stuffed with fiber fill. I also cut a strip of fabric to use as a belt so that the color would be in the front, too.

     I feel like a young teen really might get a kick out of this project, either to receive it as a gift, (especially if it includes the snacks and headphones, or even a new Kindle), or they might have an old pair of jeans that they could use to make it themselves.  
         If you don't have other plans for the back pockets, you could avoid having to add a different fabric to the back.  You will still want some fabric for the awesome zipper pocket and probably a belt would be super cute still.  
         I think making this pillow in a darker wash would be amazing.  There are so many ways that you can personalize it.  Let me know if you give this project a try! 

      Stay tuned for more projects to come.  If you missed project #1, you can link to it here.