A Child’s Mulgi Reading Pillow

This child’s reading pillow was inspired by Anu Raud’s lifelong devotion to the children of Estonia and her commitment to preserving the nation’s textile traditions. This portable little pillow holds a book or two in its front pocket and turns any space into a cozy reading nook.

Learn more about Anu Raud's work and the traditions of Mulgimaa in "Heritage in the Hands of Children."

Materials

I made two pillows, the first in the traditional Mulgi colors of black wool fabric and red cord:

• Hollandfelt 100% wool felt, 2 mm: #40 Black: 1 piece 16½" × 16½" (42 × 42 cm) for pillow front, 1 piece 16½" × 13" (42 × 33 cm) for pillow front pocket, 2 pieces 16½" × 12" (42 × 30.5 cm) for pillow back, 1 piece 20" × 3" (51 × 7.5 cm) for handle
  
• Brown Sheep Nature Spun Fingering (100% wool), 310 yd (283 m)/1¾ oz (50 g): 1 skein of #46 Red Fox
  
• DMC Pearl Cotton, size 8, 87 yd (80 m)/10 g: 1 ball of #310 black
  
• Red sewing thread to match cord
  

For the second pillow, I used:

• Hollandfelt 100% wool felt, 2 mm: #08 Dark Fuchsia: 1 piece 16½"× 16½" (42 x 42 cm) for pillow front, 1 piece 16½"× 13" (42 x 33 cm) for pillow front pocket, 2 pieces 16½" × 12" (42 x 30.5 cm) for pillow back
  
• Brown Sheep Nature Spun Fingering (100% wool), 310 yd (283 m)/1¾ oz (50 g): 1 skein of #30 Nordic Blue
  
• DMC Pearl Cotton, size 8, 87 yd (80 m)/10 g: 1 ball of #915 dark fuchsia
  
• Blue sewing thread to match cord
  

Both pillows:

• Lucet fork
  
• Straight pins
  
• Needles: chenille #20; crewel # 4
  
• 16" × 16" (40.6 × 40.6 cm) pillow form
  

Note: A sewing machine can be used to complete the pillows, but the wool felt lends itself to handstitching.

Finished size: 14" × 14" (35.5 × 35.5 cm).

About: Michele Phillips Barden lives in Norridgewock, Maine, in an old farmhouse filled with Estonian books and textiles. She has made four trips to Estonia and plans to make many more. There seems to be no end to the creativity of the Estonian people. She can be reached at fiberphilia.com

All items in the library are intended for personal use. Please do not distribute without written approval.