Sunday, June 28, 2009

road trip pillow cases






When we were young, my mom made us all these cool pillow cases for our family summer vacation. They had a pocket for our coloring books and a handle so that we could carry them in to the hotels. If I remember right, the fabric had multi colored cars on it. And, what I remember the most is that I loved mine. I kept all my favorite coloring books and crayons in that pocket. She made them for our big road trip that we took in our yellow Volkswagon Vanagon up the coast of California, Oregon, Washington, and then on to Utah. On the way home from Utah, the Vanagon blew up (not literally, but it really did die on the side of the highway) in Las Vegas. So, we (and I think there were about 6 kids...or was it 5 then?) flew home from Las Vegas to San Diego. It was quite the adventure. Okay, but what I am getting at is the love of the pillow case. I wanted to make something similar for our friends who are moving across the country this summer and fill the pockets with special gifts for each child. I couldn't remember mine exactly so I came up with this simple one. And, I made some directions so you can try them out. Of course, I am not sure if they are extremely clear, so let me know. What I do know is that this is an easy project. I am always attracted to the projects that can be finished in a few hours or at least in one day. Great for the beginner sewer and for those, like me, who want to finish something quickly.

*Download the directions here!

48 comments:

A. M. Newsom said...

This is such a great idea...could you do it with an already made pillow case?

Anonymous said...

Tracey, these really are Amazing!! Thanks so much for sharing such a great memory and SUPER COOL project!!

Laura said...

Wow! Awesome project. I will have to try this one!

RootsAndWingsCo said...

This is a fantastic idea! I am going on road trips as often as I can. Plus, my kids keep going to stay over at family's homes and we just grab a pillow and stuff it full of stuff. I love this idea, handle-pocket-and initial! Brilliant!

Rebecca

Jessica said...

How cute! Much better than stuffing your pillow case full of junk. Makes for a lumpy head rest.

Anonymous said...

Wow, what fantastic idea. My mom made us wonderful things for our (20 hour - were they crazy?) road trips when I was a kid. I am definitely going to make one of these - thank you!

kate said...

Great pillowcases! I'm totally making one for each of my kids, too!
When I was in highschool, our youth group drove to Mexico (from Canada) and one of our busses broke down in Vegas, too.

chris said...

Thank you for sharing such fun ideas! I stumbled on your blog a couple weeks ago, and have been so impressed. Have a lovely day.

Mauri said...

So cute, what a great idea! I need to make some of these before our next big trip out to California. Thanks!

DairyQueen said...

those are adorable! I'm adding this project to my list :)

Kate said...

so cool! I would have love this when I was a kid! Thanks for the tutorial!

Anonymous said...

These are so so cute!! What a great idea!!! Thank you for sharing!!!

Anonymous said...

awesome, awesome, awesome. already printed it out--cool app. you used to post attachment.
Hope I can find time to make a couple of these in the next couple weeks before our road trips.

T@iy@ said...

Oh! I love your pillowcases! What a great idea...

Also- you won the giveaway on my blog so if you e-mail me your information i will get it sent out on Friday when I get to town! taiyalcargo(AT)hotmail(DOT)com Thanks!

Des said...

This is such an awesome idea!
I made this a few days ago and can't believe how much my little girl LOVES it!
We are leaving on a road trip tomorrow and for the last few days she has been packing everything into it!
Thanks for sharing all your wonderful ideas!

GloJoeSews said...

*gasp* I'm in love with these! I love it when form, function, and fun combine. Your mom is awesome!

Angie from Dear Spring Green said...

Oh my gosh. This is the best idea I have seen all day! All week! :) These are making my "must do this for Christmas presents" list! Thank you so much for sharing!

SouthernDogwoods said...

What a great idea! I may have to make a few for my little ones! Thanks for sharing!

SoSoBella said...

these are so stink'n cute. i love them :O)
thanks so much for sharing.
having a wonderful friday :O)

Lisa said...

Very cute! Did you also make the dog in J and the doll in E? If so, pattern location please?? I made 6 sets of your note cards for teacher gifts (I had 4 of those) and birthdays around the same time--coincidentally the birthday recipients are also teachers! They all loved them--thanks for the idea. Also love that apron for Molly!

Karyn said...

Ohhh what a gorgeous idea... hmmm I wonder if I could handle something like this ♥

WORK AT HOME UNITED www.GoodLifeToGreatLife.com 877-216-1940 said...

i love these

Angie said...

Just what I need for almost exactly the same trip! Thanks for sharing!!

Sarah said...

Love love love these! I'll be linking! Thanks for the great idea.
-Sarah from Create Studio
www.createstudio.blogspot.com

Sarah said...

Thanks for the inspiration Traci!
http://createstudio.blogspot.com/2010/06/road-trip-backpack-pillow.html
-Sarah from Create Studio

Reva said...

I would like two of your patterns (The owl and the pumpkin) but can't seem to get them unless I give acccess to my facebook account and all my friends info theire. I'd rather not do that. Is there any way of getting the patterns without doing that? Thanks,
Reva
mirti7@aol.com
I LOVE your blog - bookmarked it today!

Unknown said...

Nice blog!! very interesting.I prefer to read this kind of blogs because is useful because i am very curious for everything, usually i want to know new things. this is the reason why i like to know. Actually i told my boyfriend that buy viagra and the result was really great.Now i want to get a smooth and beautiful pillow

Bamboo Sheets said...

What an amazing idea. These pillow cases are so cute and cool. Bamboo cotton could be use here.
You will love to hug it during the trip.

*katie said...

So cute! We're heading on a road trip from San Diego to Utah (hope our car doesn't die in Vegas!;) this weekend, these would be great for my boys. Thanks for sharing!

rambling mom said...

I can't seem to see the link! i want to make these

Walden Mommy said...

Love this! I'm making several for gifts. So far, they've sewn up in about an hour! Awesome

Julie@teachinggoodeaters said...

It's so funny because I had just been thinking that my kids needed something for the car to put all of their activities in... then I saw this on Pinterest! This is such a wonderful idea. I don't really sew, but this looks so simple that I think I could attempt it!!

Jaimee @ Havenwood House of Boys said...

I found your blog through someone else posting about your Trinket Holders. I thought *those* were genius....this road trip pillow case is brilliant!!! I need to poke around your blog some more : )
Jaimee @ craft-interrupted.blogspot.com

Kellie said...

I LOVE this project. Wonderful job and many thanks for sharing! :)

HoneyBee52000 said...

I followed a Pinterest link to your blog, love the photos of these road-trip pillow cases (!), but there is not a working link for the instructions :( Has the information been moved and I'm not seeing it?

Thanks!

Unknown said...

This is an awesome idea that I have had pinned for a while. I am planning to make these for my 3 kids. It will be great for vacation!

www.notimefortea.com

Wallace Family said...

I made 3 of these. Thank you so much!!!!

Sharon Dawkins said...

Oh, I make something similiar to this with only slight differemces.

Ashley M said...

this is such a neat idea. especially cuz it has straps! I can remember all the road trips we took as kids and carrying the huge pile of pillows for the hotel rooms we'd stay at. having handles make it so much easier to carry. Going on another road trip with my own son next month so definitely gonna give this a try! thanks!

http://chitownandallaround.blogspot.com/

Stacey said...

This is awesome. The funny part is I found this and thought it would be great for our cross country road trip in our bright orange 1975 VW Bus :)

Unknown said...

Very cute-
thanks for sharing!
Peggy

Elaine said...

Hi, I just found your lovely blog! This is an adorable idea, and I am already planning which fabrics I will use when I make them for Christmas gifts :D

Kerry Jaclyn said...

I have been scouring the web for roadtrip crafts for my kiddies. Def going to make this!

Red Rollercoaster said...

Am making some for my 64-year old husband and 58-year old self. We carry our pillows anyway, so I'm going to make ours in grown-up material and monogram them. With a strongly constructed pocket, mine can take the place of a tote bag and his will be stuffed with his favorite nighttime snacks. We're just big kids!

jasmin said...

after I mad these my kids didn't want to get off the plane! Amazing, Smart Idea

Anonymous said...

Such a great idea! We just finished our big road trip moving to Ithaca, NY and had plenty of activities (see post linked below!) but I wish I had made one of these! I'm sure there will be a next time :)
http://paintingsunny.com/2013/06/17/road-trip-busy-boxes-kid-travel/

chookychick said...

We've got a motorhome and a seven year old, so this is just ideal. Thank you for a great idea and so cute too. Kids love packing up their bits and pieces for trips, can't wait to give it to her.

Sterling.Silver said...

I would love one of these for my granddaughter! Do you make these and sell them, by any chance?