Share
We've shared a lot of tips and tutorials for working in miniature - this is the opposite. This pencil pillow is larger than life! We've based the design on the large 12 x 18" sheet of Bellwether felt in the perfect pencil yellow. It is such a fun project to make and will win the heart of any stationary or school supply enthusiast. So, get out your supplies because school is in session!
Skill Level: Intermediate
Time: 3 hours
Supplies:
One 12 x 18” sheet of Silver Metallic Felt
One 12 x 18” sheet of Canary Pure Wool Felt
One 12 x 18” sheet of Begonia Pure Wool Felt
One 9 x 12” sheet of Oyster Pure Wool Felt
One 9 x 12” sheet of Slate Pure Wool Felt
Sulky Embroidery Thread in Canary, Begonia, Oyster and Slate
Frixion Pen
Embroidery Needle
15 oz. of Polyfil
Scissors
Pinking Shears
Sewing Pins
Glue
Ruler
Sewing Machine
Pencil Pattern (click to download)
Directions:
1. Print and cut out Pencil Pattern above. Trace pattern pieces onto felt and cut out.
Use pinking shears to cut along curved edge of Wood Tip and Lead Tip felt pieces.
2. Take the Canary felt (Pencil Body) and draw lines every 2” the length of the rectangle with an erasable pen.
3. Use the Canary thread and a sewing machine (or by hand) and stitch along the lines. Clip thread ends and use a hair dryer or iron to erase guidelines.
4. Cut the Begonia felt (Eraser) down to a 7 x 12” rectangle. Placing right sides together, sew the Eraser and Pencil Body together along the 12” side. Flip over and iron seam flat.
5. Center the Number Plate on the Pencil Body within the interior stitching. Place it about 2 1/2” below the Eraser seam. Pin or lightly glue it in place.
Applique stitch around the exterior and interior of the Number Plate with Slate thread. It is helpful the roll up the Pencil Body and hold it in your left hand (if you are right handed.)
6. Topstitch the Lead Tip to the front of the Wood Tip with Slate thread, stitching along the curved edge only.
7. Use Oyster thread to topstitch the Wood Tip to the Pencil Body on the opposite end from the Eraser. The pieces should overlap by about ¼”. Because the Wood Tip is curved and the Pencil Body is straight, this can be a difficult step. Sew slowly and adjust the two pieces as you go. The Wood Tip will start to curve.
8. Fold the finished pencil in half lengthwise. To ensure everything lines up, match seams first and insert perpendicular pins. Go back and insert parallel pins along the remaining length. Sew with a ¼” seam allowance.
9. Tie thread ends and clip. Cut off excess of triangle at pencil tip.
10. Turn pencil right side out and stuff with Polyfil. Be sure to use small clusters of stuffing at pencil tip. Take your time with this step! The end result should be firm and even. The best way to achieve this is by using smaller amounts of stuffing and working to keep it smooth as you move up the pencil.
11. When pencil is almost stuffed to the top, whipstitch the Eraser Top to the Eraser with Begonia thread. Stop before finishing to add remaining stuffing. Whipstitch closed.
12. For the Ferrule, cut a 7 x 14” rectangle and two ½ x 14” rectangles from Silver Metallic felt. Metallic felt does not bend in the same way as wool felt. As such, the metallic felt requires a longer length and needs to be added at the end.
13. Glue the large silver rectangle onto the pencil. It should overlap the Pencil Body by 1” and the Eraser by 3”. Match ends to the existing seam and trim any excess at the end before gluing in place.
14. Glue the small silver rectangles onto the Ferrule 1” in from each side. Match ends to the existing seam and trim any excess at the end before gluing in place. When finished, there should be 1” between the two strips.
Your pencil pillow is ready! Now all you need is some paper...
Thanks to Camille for designing and writing this tutorial! You can follow her on Instagram @notsomodernmillie or visit her website. Stay tuned for upcoming projects!
