How to make a Pillow from clothes {DIY tutorial}

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Hello IAYD readers! This is Jessica from Jeca. I am sharing another DIY with you all today.

Does your child own a crazy sweater that they absolutely love but you try to convince them to not wear it outside of the house? Or do you have a sweater that you love of your child’s that they have out grown? Today’s post is for you!!

I have three daughters, age 6, 4 and 2. They each have their loves and their passions. Currently, my oldest loves dinosaurs, My Little Ponies and anything with hearts. My youngest two are a lot alike with their love of everything pink, Barbies and princesses.

My daughters were recently given some clothes from a friend. In the bag was a *ahem* unique sweater with a heart and a couple of sweatshirts with pictures of princesses on them that were pretty worn. They absolutely fell in love with these sweaters but I was not too excited for the upcoming fall weather and seeing them being worn. (You should be aware that I let my children dress themselves. The middle has walked out of the house in some extremely crazy concoctions. I do draw the line sometimes though.)

I was trying to figure out how I could satisfy their love for these shirts, but not wear them. I decided that they could easily be made in to pillows! When I say easily, I mean easily!

Supplies:

*Iron

*Ruler

*Marker (water soluble to be safe)

*scissors

*sewing machine and matching thread

*sweater

*pillow form or stuffing

*closure materials of choice (ribbon, buttons or snaps)

Step 1:

It is important to note that for this project I used a 14×14 pillow form and a size small or 6T sweater.

Make sure that your sweater is ironed. Turn your sweater inside out. Measure your sweater. Try to use the bottom edge of your sweater if possible. This will give you an already nice clean edge. I measured my sweater 14.5″ across and 15″ down. It is more important to center your graphic than it is to use the clean bottom edge. Adjust accordingly.

Step 2:

You are working with knit material. It is important to pin your sides together before sewing. Knit material loves to move around on your sewing foot. If you have a serger then I recommend you use it, otherwise use a zigzag stitch or a serger foot with your sewing machine. Clip your corners and cut off the excess material.

You will notice that I already cut the material before sewing. This is not necessary. You may find that it is easier to leave it whole and cut after sewing as mentioned above.

Step 3:

Now we are going to work on closures. There are a few different options.  The first option is attaching buttons. While using your button hole foot make four button holes.

I used a knit sweatshirt so they look a little wonky but they flatten out once they are buttoned closed.

Option two would be using snaps.

Sew the bottom edge two inches from the corner to the center on each side. Attach snaps using snap pliers. I used three snaps on this sweater.

Option three is a ribbon closure. I do not have a picture of this one, but you will need four pieces of ribbon cut at 6″ lengths – width does not matter. You will sew the bottom edge two inches from the corner to center on each side like option two. Sew your ribbon on where the picture shows and simply tie them in a pretty bow.

Option four has you make a completely different pillow. This option would be having you make an envelope closure. You can see how to make one of these pillows here in this (ancient) tutorial over on my blog.

There you go!!! In my opinion you can never have too many pillows. My girls agree. My husband…not so much.

Now go find your children’s outgrown sweater(s), or their favorite that may not be your favorite. Break out your sewing machine and get to work!

Happy Saturday Sewing!

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