Upcycled Sweater Pillow

• Sometimes Homemade
• December 16, 2013
• 4 Comments

This cozy upcycled sweater pillow project is a great way to get a second life out of a favorite sweater.

As promised, I’m finally posting my third (but not final) upcycled sweater project. I’m pretty impressed that I got three decent sized projects done out of one sweater. This sweater pillow turned out better than I expected, although I had to make some changes mid-project. I originally planned to make an envelope style pillow cover like the one described at The Wonder Forest.

In the original instructions, you create the envelope-style opening on the back so you can easily switch out pillow covers. I intended to make it with a bit more overlap and put it on the front using the hem of the sweater as a decorative element. I ended up being able to use the sweater hem as a decorative element on the front, but in the end it wasn’t long enough to stay closed, so I had to sew it shut when I added the buttons. Somewhat happy accident I guess since I like how the pillow turned out.

Upcycled Sweater Pillow Supplies:

• Sweater
• Pillow insert – I used a 12×12 inch pillow
• Buttons
• Coordinating thread

I started out by cutting the front and back of the pillow out using both the front and back of the sweater. I cut the smaller side for the pillow (the front in this case) at 14×14 and then I cut the back piece at 14×18. In both cases I kept the hem of the sweater intact as it meant I didn’t have to finish those ends, and I liked the detail. Depending on how puffy your pillow is, you may need to trim the sides down from this point. I used a rotary cutter and mat and it made the job so much simpler than with scissors.

I pinned my two pieces together inside out with the “good” sides facing each other, lining up the bottom non-hem sides even with each other. I pinned the three non-hem sides together and then sewed it with about a 1/2 inch seam allowance using a zig-zag stitch.

Then I turned my sweater “pocket” right side out and inserted my pillow. My sweater had a fairly open weave, so I decided to wrap it in the same color fabric as my sweater so that the white pillow didn’t show through. I used one of my son’s old t-shirts that just happened to be the same red and the right amount of material (and because I didn’t want to go to the fabric store in the middle of my project!).

Then I folded over the longer piece from the back over the top of my pillow and sewed it closed while sewing on my buttons.

It took longer to measure and cut the sweater than it did to sew it together and finish it!

I’m going to attempt the envelope style with a gray sweater I have. I’ll still try to use the hems of my sweater with the overlap on the front. I’ll let you know how it goes.

In case you missed them, here are links to my other sweater projects from this same red sweater – Sweater Tree and Sweater Wine Bottle Holder. Not too bad for a $7 clearance sweater!

I don’t know about you, but I’m no where near ready for the holidays. It never fails that I end up with less than two weeks to start (and finish) my handmade gifts! I think I have all of the supplies, but I just need to find time to get them done. I see a few late nights in my future! Hopefully one last online shopping trip on Amazon will finalize my shopping. Hopefully most of you are done and just enjoying holiday music and sipping (insert beverage of choice) by the fire. Sounds nice…