Dollhouse Pillow

I made my first dollhouse pillow for one of our daughters when she turned two, and she loved it so much and used it as a sleeping bag for a long time. Five years later, it's still one of her most prized possessions and still gets a lot of loving from her. She doesn't quite fit in it as a sleeping bag anymore, but it makes a nice reading and play cushion.

Today, I'm happy to show you how to make a much simpler version of my original dollhouse pillow. This would make a very special gift for a little one in your life!

Supplies:
-1 yard patterned fabric (pillow backing)
-14" x 16" yard of plain fabric (roof)
-16" x 18" patterned (house body)
-three 7" x 9" pieces of plain fabric (windows)
-4" x 7" piece of wool felt (door)
-decorative button
-black fabric paint
-paintbrush
-Poly-Fil

Tools:
-pins
-fabric pencil
-sewing machine
-scissors
-rotary cutter
-self-healing mat

Seam Allowance: 1/2"

Step One: From the 14" x 16" piece of fabric, mark the halfway point across the top of the fabric, about 8" in from the edge. Then starting 2" up from the bottom of each side, draw a diagonal line to the top center mark, and cut along that line.

Step Two: Line up the base of the roof with the top of the front interior fabric with their right sides together. Pin in place, and stitch together. Press the seam open.

Step Three: On your roof, paint your roof design, and on the pieces for the windows, paint on your windowpanes. Allow to dry completely, then press to heat set the design in place.

Step Four: For your window pockets, fold down the top edge (the 7" side) 1/2", press, fold down another 1/2", press, pin in place, and topstitch. Repeat for the other two pieces.

For each pocket, fold the remaining three sides of the pocket in 1/4" and press. Place each pocket on the desired spot on the dollhouse body (about 1 3/4" in from the edge), right side facing up, pin the folded sides in place, and edge stitch around the three sides.

Place your wool felt fabric for the door 2 1/2" in from the right side and up 1" from the bottom. Pin in place and edge stitch around. Sew on a decorative button for the doorknob.

Step Five: For the backing, place the front of the house on top of the backing fabric, and cut all the way around the perimeter of the house. With the right sides together, sew around the entire perimeter, leaving a 3" opening for turning. Clip the corners, turn right side out, and press.

Step Six: Fill the house with Poly-Fil to desired thickness, and slip stitch the opening closed.

I love how bold the hand painted design turned out, and I love that blue with the bright coral. My girls were asking who was going to get the pillow, but we eventually all agreed to give it to their neighbor friend for Christmas. This pillow doesn't open up to reveal the inside of the dollhouse, but you can use the pockets to stuff special dolls and treasures. We made these easy softies to put in the pockets to give to their friend.

If you do want to learn how to make a giant dollhouse pillow that opens up, I have full instructions and a template in my book, Let's Sew Together. Besides the dollhouse pillow, I share a lot of other projects you can make with and for kids! The book itself would make a great Christmas present for someone looking for more unique sewing projects, and I share additional activities to do with kids. Come on, let's sew together friends! -Rubyellen

Credits // Author and Photography: Rubyellen Bratcher. Photos edited with Valentine from The Signature Collection.