Sewing a Gift for my Dad : Heating Pad Pillow

I have had so much fun making this gift for my dad.  I also realize that I have never sewed anything for him before!  My dad loves to read and this pillow will go on his dark blue reading chair in his study.  He is the youngest 81 year old I have ever met!  He met and married my mom when she was 25 and he was 39.  They met in September, got engaged in December, and were married in February!  It was his first marriage and now they have been together for almost 42 years!  

Dad's back has been bothering him a little and I thought this pillow, with a heating pad insert would be perfect for him.

We tease him a lot about saying "i'll do it when I feel like it!"  He likes to act all grumpy on the outside but we all know he is a real softie on the inside.  I followed this method to embroider the words.  It was so fun and easy!  I printed out the phrase I wanted with the font I wanted and then just embroidered right through the paper!  It was awesome.

Here is another view of the opening for the heating pad.

The heating pad is 12" x 15".  The pillow is 16" x 16".  The backing is a 16" square and then I cut out a 16" to be the first layer of the front of my pillow. I made the finished pillow top be 15" x 16".  I also gave the pillow top a flannel backing so the heating pad wouldn't get too hot through the fabric.  Finally, I made a simple elastic cord and button closure.  I love how it turned out and how nice it works!

I followed House on Hill Road's tutorial for putting in a zipper opening for your pillow.  It was really nice and I learned a great new skill!  I will always do that now when I make a pillow.  I used a sturdy blue duck cloth for the back.  The zipper really adds a professional touch and makes cleaning even easier.  

Hopefully my dad won't read this blog post before Christmas!  He doesn't really do lots of "interneting" so I think I will be OK.  Have you ever sewn for your dad?  What would you like to make for him?  Sewing for men is real challenge!

Comments

[Red Bottom Shoes]

In March 2010, GEA Process Engineering had a ground-breaking

[Baby gift baskets]

My dad would totally love this! I made mine some flannel pj bottoms and a shirt (well, the shirt didn't get finished by Christmas, but he knows its his).

[gift baskets]

This year my husband got a Kindle for Christmas (okay, he got it on Black Friday and I threatened to make him wait until Christmas to use it but I lost that battle) and we didn't want to fork out $40 to buy a case so we made one!

[Shayla Sharp]

My dad would totally love this! I made mine some flannel pj bottoms and a shirt (well, the shirt didn't get finished by Christmas, but he knows its his).

[GS]

What a thoughtful sweet present to make for your Dad. I bet he's going to love it, especially since you made it for him.

[Emma]

Cases for Kindles and Nooks are almost half of the price of the toys themselves. This year my husband got a Kindle for Christmas (okay, he got it on Black Friday and I threatened to make him wait until Christmas to use it but I lost that battle) and we didn't want to fork out $40 to buy a case so we made one! My dad got a Nook at the same time so that will be making him a case for his Christmas as well. We made my husband's out of denim, lined it with thick white fleece, and used an awesome wooden button. He loves it because it looks manly and cost us practically nothing to make!

[girls jeans]

Such an awesome idea. If it weren't a week until Christmas, I would attempt to make one for my grandmother who has back issues. Maybe I can make it for her birthday in February. Great idea.

[Anne Marie]

This is really a great idea - thanks for the letter embroidery link. Happy holidays to you and your family!

[Jessie]

what a lovely pillow, I'm sure he'll love it! x

[Jen]

This is great. I love the embroidery.

[amy dunn]

that is awesome!!!! I want one! :) Hope it makes your dad feel better!